GDP Webquest

Name _________________________________________________ Per. ________

GDP Activist Webquest

Scenario: You are an activist who wants to save the world. You are interested in creating an organization to help empower the poor. You want to understand what their problems are and how you can help them exit poverty by giving them the tools they need to be self-sustainable or lifting the obstacles that block them.
The problem is you need to identify who are the people that need your help the most, in other words, who are the poorest of the poor? How can someone decide on how well-off people are and whether their standard of living (or level of well-being) is satisfactory? That's pretty hard... 
You suddenly remember that in school you where taught about an index called GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It is supposed to be able to offer an idea about the healthy of an economy which is a reflection of people's level of well-being...Or that's what you've heard..Maybe that's it?! Maybe this index can help you decide on who really needs your help the most, so you can focus your efforts there and bring maximum value through the organization you are designing!
Task: You decide that you will find out more information on GDP and create a chart where you will compare The USA to two other countries of your choice as to their overall standard of living.
In that chart you can use the GDP but also any other index you may feel can supplement and improve your understanding. You will then conclude which of the three countries is the one in most need. You will need to explain the rational behind your choice of country in most need and back it up with data from your web search. Always keep this question in mind: is the GDP telling me all I need to know to identify the population in most need? How can I get an even more accurate picture?
At the end, each group will present their choice and the class will decide which of the presented countries will get to receive the activist's organization.
Process: First you will be assigned to a team of three students. Once in your group you will agree on the 2 countries you will pick to compare in addition to the US, which is mandatory (so the countries are 3 in total , USA+2 more). You will then create a chart where you will compare the countries and decide on the one with the lowest living standards.
You will proceed to present your work in class.
The class will vote for the country in most need (lowest living standards) based on the argumentation presented by each group.

The information required can be extracted from the following resources:
1.Human development reports:
http://hdrstats.undp.org/indicators/indicators_table.cfm
2.GDP comparisons
http://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?c=ca&v=65
3.World Bank
http://geo.worldbank.org/
4.CIA:the world FactBook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
5.Greek Statisctic Beureau
http://www.statistics.gr/

You are free however, to search and find additional info. Please be sure that the sites you will be using as sources are credible (eg. belong to well known statistics providers, are state-owned, sponsored by the EU, or an international organization like the UN)

SAMPLE CHART

Country 1 Country 2 Country 3

Name

GDP 2008

GDP 2009

GDP Growth Rate

Unemployment Rate

Inflation Rate

Infant Mortality Rate

Summary of Economy

Exports

Imports