I need help thinking of controversial research topics for 8th graders.?

I'm giving controversial "in the news" research papers to my eighth graders this year. I'm looking for controversial topics, that the students can research and take a stand on. So far, I've only been able to come up with a handful, and could use your help.





What I've come up with so far...





War in Iraq


Gay and Lesbian Marriage


Stem Cell Research


Steroids and the Hall of Fame


Abortion





If you can think of any more, it'll make my day!





Thanks!

I need help thinking of controversial research topics for 8th graders.?
The depletion of the middle class.
Reply:I wonder if some of those are really appropriate for 8 graders--or more specifically, if the parents will think they're appropriate. You don't want to find out the hard way just how controversial they are!





That said, here are some ideas:





- Should "under God" be in the Pledge of Allegiance


- Should cities have a curfew for young people


- Should public schools have school uniforms


- Should medical marijuana be legal


- Should euthanasia be legal


- Various topics related to immigration





Other things people argue about that I'm too lazy to phrase as a question: animal experimentation, environmental policy, alternative energy, Walmart, gun control, national health insurance, smoker's "rights," school violence (causes, solutions, appropriate security measures), fast food %26amp; obesity/illness, banning transfats, violence in movies/videogames/music, Internet safety/privacy (eg MySpace sites, should they be restricted)...
Reply:Lebanon War





the saddam hussain hanging





conserving rain forests and jungles





pollution, greenhouse effect, o-zone





hunting animals, like the bald eagle





!!illegal immagrants from mexico!!
Reply:how about the environment ? -- when they told us about possible dangers years ago, we didn't listen and exactly what they said would happen has





or how about animal extinctions -- it gets no more grave than FOREVER -- when a species is GONE, it is GONE FOREVER !!!!!





i hope you're a very good teacher and can help your kids act responsibly toward all animals and our planet.
Reply:I agree with EQ. Here is another one. Wearing uniforms to school. Getting a Driver's Licence at 16.
Reply:Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide


cloning


Censorship
Reply:Teenage parents.


Go to college or go to work.


Election of 2008


Illegal immigration.


Apple vs. Microsoft


Video gameplaying and childhood obesity
Reply:eq had the best answer so far. consider animal abuse, animal abandonment, animal population control, bullies, drug use, if you really want contraversy- birth control and sex education, teenage parents, college education or tech school, . I would consider asking the students for ideas. You might be surprised at some of their answers.
Reply:Here are a few I thought of:





Spanking -- should it be outlawed (under consideration in CA)





Driving while holding a cell phone and carrying on a conversation.





Illegal immigration (many sub-topics such as building a fence at the Mexican border, employers who hire illegal immigrants, benefits for illegal immigrants)





Should the USA make English the official language of the country





There's a few -- hope it helps.
Reply:euthanasia, immigration (new proposals for legalizing illegal immigrants), animal experimentation