Name: Taylor Nguyen

Topic: The Effects of a U.S. Government Shutdown on Workers and the Economy

Description:
I want to explore how a government shutdown affects people’s daily lives, especially federal employees, small businesses, and communities that depend on government programs. Each time Congress fails to pass a budget, many services stop, and workers go without pay. I want to understand the deeper causes of these shutdowns and what can be done to prevent them.

Research Questions:

1. What are the main reasons government shutdowns happen in the U.S.?

2. How do shutdowns impact federal workers, local economies, and public trust in government?

3. What solutions have been proposed to reduce the chances of future shutdowns?

4. How do political parties use shutdowns as a negotiation strategy?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

• Side 1 (Shutdowns as Necessary Pressure): Some lawmakers argue that a shutdown is a way to stand firm on principles, control government spending, and force important budget debates.

• Side 2 (Shutdowns as Harmful): Others argue shutdowns are irresponsible, harm workers and citizens, and cost the economy billions without solving the real issues.

Audience/Stakeholders:
Federal employees, taxpayers, small business owners, government contractors, and voters.

Questions for Peers:

• Do you think a government shutdown is ever justified?

• Who do you think suffers the most when the government shuts down?

• What kinds of solutions (like automatic funding extensions) might prevent this from happening again?

Topic:
I want to research the effects of raising the minimum wage in Colorado. I’m interested in this topic because there has been ongoing debate about whether increasing the minimum wage helps or hurts workers, businesses, and the overall economy. With Colorado’s recent increases and discussions about further raises, I want to explore the real impacts in our state.

Research Questions:

1. How has raising the minimum wage affected workers’ quality of life in Colorado?

2. What impact has the minimum wage increase had on small businesses and employment rates?

3. How do the perspectives of workers, business owners, and policymakers differ regarding minimum wage changes?

4. What are the arguments for and against further increasing the minimum wage in Colorado?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

• For Raising Minimum Wage: Increases workers’ earnings, reduces poverty, may boost the local economy, helps close wage gaps.

• Against Raising Minimum Wage: Increases costs for small businesses, may lead to job losses or reduced hours, could raise prices for consumers.

Audience/Stakeholders:
Workers, small business owners, policymakers, local government officials, economists, consumers, and advocacy groups.

One Source for Context:

• “Colorado’s Minimum Wage Increased Again. Here’s What That Means for Workers and Employers” (The Denver Post): https://www.denverpost.com/2023/01/02/colorado-minimum-wage-increase-2023/

Questions for Peers:

• Are there particular cities or industries in Colorado where the effects have been most noticeable?

• What additional data or viewpoints should I consider to make my research more well-rounded?

Topic: How SNAP and Local Food Programs Are Affected by Government Shutdowns

Description:
I want to explore how the recent federal government shutdown is impacting SNAP benefits and local food assistance programs in Larimer and Weld counties. Many families rely on these programs to buy groceries, and the shutdown has caused delays and uncertainty. I want to understand the real-life effects on people and what local organizations are doing to help.

Research Questions:

1. How has the government shutdown affected SNAP recipients in Larimer and Weld counties?

2. What strategies are local food banks and community organizations using to help families during this time?

3. How could future policies prevent disruptions in food assistance programs?

4. Who suffers the most when SNAP benefits are delayed or unavailable?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

• Side 1 (Support for Immediate Action): Advocates argue that uninterrupted food assistance is essential for families’ survival, and local programs should receive emergency support.

• Side 2 (Challenges/Concerns): Some policymakers worry about the cost of emergency measures and how to distribute funds fairly during a shutdown.

Audience/Stakeholders:
Families who depend on SNAP, local food banks, community organizations, policymakers, and residents concerned with food security.

Questions for Peers:

• Do you think emergency funding is the best way to help families when SNAP is delayed?

• Are there other local strategies that could reduce the impact of a shutdown?

• How could I find personal stories or interviews to show the human impact of this issue?

My topic is using hydrogen as fuel, either as a substitute for gasoline or in fuel cell technology

My research questions:

1. What are the complications of converting gasoline cars to run on hydrogen?

2. How does hydrogen combustion efficiency compare to hydrogen fuel cell efficiency?

3. Would hydrogen fuel be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than gasoline?

4. What are the infrastructure requirements of implementing widespread hydrogen use?

Key issues on both sides:

Side 1: environmentalist

Insfrastructure

Public perception

Cost of introduction

Side 2: oil guy

Cost 

Environment concerns

Global trade

Who is most affected? Almost everyone! Nearly everybody uses cars, and if there's a way to get more miles from your car for cheaper or in a more environmentally friendly way, that would be beneficial

Article to source form The Equation: https://blog.ucs.org/dave-cooke/hydrogen-combustion-is-a-dead-end-technology-for-heavy-duty-trucks/

Would you use hydrogen in your car? If you have any existing knowledge on this topic, what is it?

Topic: Is U.S. student loan forgiveness equitable, feasible, or taxpayer-burden

Your Research Questions –

How does forgiveness burden low-income tax payers vs high earning graduates?

What long-term effects does forgiveness have on inflation, borrowing, and affordability?

What debt solutions exist beyond forgiveness, like tuition reform or accountability?

Key Issues on Both Sides: Pro forgiveness provides life changing assistance to people struggling with paying bills every month due to extreme student debt.

Anti forgiveness argues that it is unjust to those who paid off their loans and sets a bad precedent.

Audience/Stakeholders: Taxpayers who self funded college degrees or went without one, Policymakers, lawmakers, and Department of Education officials, and people planning on signing loans for future education.

Questions for Peers: Would it be fair to everyone to forgive these debts?

Topic:  Vehicle emissions impact

Description: Government officials have been enforcing stricter vehicle emission standards to reduce climate change and help prevent bad air pollution. The main issues with this are cars struggling to pass and how electric vehicles can skip past these fines.

Research Questions:

1. How do vehicle emissions affect our health and our environment's health?

2. Can stricter emissions laws really fix the problems of air pollution and climate change?

3. How have emission laws and technology changed the car industry over time?

4. Are electric vehicles truly zero-emission, or do they just move pollution to other parts of the production process?

Key Issues-

Pros: Slowing climate change, cleaner air, helps encourage cleaner technology in cars.

Cons: Higher pricing to both buy and produce cars, not everyone can afford clean or electric cars, old cars can struggle.

Audience/Stakeholders: Government regulators, automakers, and consumers or the public.

Questions for Peers:

• Do you think emission testing should be enforced on all cars including older vehicles?

• Should electric vehicles have to pay a fine because they don't have to pay to take the emission test?

On our class Padlet, create a post that includes:

Your Name Maxwell Shubert

Your Topic – I will research why ski resorts and skiers hold a bias against snowboarders in conflict situations and generally.

Your Research Questions – What cultural or historical explanations contributed to early resistance to snowboarding in resorts?

Are statistical safety records supportive of resort restrictions on snowboarders?

How do resort and business decisions impact opinions about snowboarders?

How are opinions about snowboarders evolving with changing generations?

Key Issues on Both Sides: Briefly outline the main arguments or concerns.

Your Audience/Stakeholders: Ski resort operators and managers, skiers and snowboarders, local business owners dependent on winter tourism, sports culture researchers, policymakers overseeing public land use, and winter sports enthusiasts.

One Source for Context: https://deadspin.com/the-last-holdouts-where-the-war-between-skiers-and-snow-1835405082/

Questions for Peers:

Are these refined questions clear and specific enough to guide focused research?

Do you think I have covered the major perspectives needed to understand the conflict and evolving opinions?

Can you suggest additional stakeholder groups or sources I might include?

How might I combine or prioritize these questions for a more impactful research focus?

- Topic: The misconception of wildfires and how they are often perceived as bad, but are actually beneficial.

- Research Questions:

- What is home life like in the mountains, specifically with wildfire and can we prevent homes from burning down by preparing them?

- Are people with respiratory issues affected by smoke, even if they're not living near the mountains?

- Key Issues:

- Wildfires continue to be put out because many homes burn down. Smoke from the fire can also cause respiratory issues for people.

- Wildfire is naturally known to be a good way to clean forests. With wildfires being let loose. They actually cause fewer fires in the future.

- Stakeholders:

Mountain residents

Those with respitory issues

People who enjoy the mountians

Question For Peers: Do you think its ok to let natural forestfires burn, if you knew that homes and people would be safe?

Topic: AI in the workforce

Description: People are losing certain jobs to AI because it's more efficient and cheaper than humans.

Research questions:

1. How has AI changed the workforce across the world?

2. What specific jobs are being taken what new ones will be created?

3. What will employers and employees do with the shift in AI

4. What is the comparison between local businesses to big corporate businesses

Key issues on both sides:

Side 1 (Pros): Most big companies are switching to AI because it's more efficient and cheaper on the tech side of things. AI will only get better and become more efficient. Better communication

Side 2 (Cons): People are losing their jobs or are at risk of losing their jobs. You need to think about the future, as AI could affect your career. Lack of human creativity and ethical concern.

Audience/Stakeholders: Employers and Employees are involved in different ways. Also, the customers with their experience

A source: https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/how-will-ai-affect-the-global-workforce

Questions for Peers:

Do you think AI is overall good or bad in the workforce?

Are my research questions good? Should they be changed for better research?

Topic: AI/technology is taking over the workforce.

Description:

I want to explore the rapid advancement of technology and how it's taking over the workforce. I'm curious about the reasons behind major corporations, like Amazon and others, choosing to replace human labor with AI and robots. My interest in this topic comes from a genuine concern that we might witness a significant portion of jobs being filled with robots, leading to a future where this replacement is normalized.

Research Question:

1. Why do big companies want more money even though they're making enough?

2. How can humans become better than robots that have no limits?

3. How efficient is it going to be in the long run?

4. What is AI without humans?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

1. Robot can cost alot to replace

   • Robots in general can malfunction and can cost a lot of money, which is why humans can be better because they can opt in or out.

2. Robots are more efficient than humans.

   • Robots don't need rest, unlike humans, who need rest to stay functional, and we also work in different places, but on the other hand, robots are working at an efficient place no rest means their more profitable.

Audience/stakeholder:

- People who work in any of the affected workforce or people who work for money in general

One Source of Context:

https://www.newsweek.com/ai-robotics-jobs-adam-dorr-2039026

" AI will assist workers, improving efficiency and productivity. But as it improves, it will eliminate the need for human involvement altogether."

*Question for Peers

1. Are my question clear to understand if no what can improve one?

2. Do you think ai would take over many workforce.

Topic: Immigration and the United States border control.

Description:
I want to explore how border crossing and treatment works for permanent residents as well as non-permanent residents in the United States. Especially how Mexican-American residents, particularly in Southern California, feel about this topic. I want to understand the deeper causes of these laws and regulations to understand exactly why legal immigration takes so long.

Research Questions:

1. Should immigrants be required to take the United States Citizenship test?

2. What happened when immigrants were deported in the past / what happened when they were let in in the past?

3. What do predominantly Mexican-American people think about border control?

4. How are visitors treated differently than permanent residents?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

• Side 1 (Immigration and Trade should be fast and easy): Allowing easy immigration is the right thing to do, as immigrants face a lot to get to the U.S. Another factor is legitimate businesses that need to sell products across country borders.

• Side 2 (Careful immigration is needed to maintain security): Others argue that careful immigration is needed for the prevention of illicit activities, such as drug trafficking.

Audience/Stakeholders:
Federal employees, taxpayers, business owners, business employees, immigrants, cartels, and drug mules.

Questions for Peers:

• Other than they committed a crime, why do you think illegal immigrants are deported?

• What reasons are there for why our neighbors are tariffed?

• What do states do about this?

 How will self driving vehicles impact day to day life in cities for not only civilians but also taxi, lift, and uber drivers?

 Are self driving vehicles going to  displace a large amount of people from    their jobs and overall change civilian driving patterns?

What new hazards will be introduced to drivers on all types of road ways and pedestrians because of the modernization of self driving vehicles?

• Key Issues on Both Sides:

Driverless vehicles could create more roadway hazards and could even cause fatal incidents.

Lots of people all over the US who rely on driving passengers for income , mostly in major cities will face the downside effects of driverless vehicles eliminating a lot of job opportunities. 

Pedestrians could be put in more danger because of vehicle and system malfunctions. 

Pedestrians may be safer to travel by foot due to less human errors near roadways.

Driverless vehicles may create a safer roadway system and change how everyday people view transportation. 

• My intended Audience/Stakeholders: 

The intended audience would be lawmakers and engineers who are producing these vehicles, along with day to day drivers, and people who rely on passenger transportation for income. 

Some people who are able to make a change would be city governors, congress officials, and may even require community voting and input.

• One Source for Context: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-autonomous-vehicles-could-change-cities/.

• Questions for Peers: 

How do you think self driving vehicles may impact city riding?

Do you think this issue needs to be taken into consideration?

Do you think this will make roadways safer or more dangerous?

Topic:

 I want to research the topic of if schools should focus more on career skills or academic theory. I'm interested in this topic because it has been a ongoing debate every since A.I became a thing. Should schools prepare students with practical career skills that make them job ready or should schools focus on academic theory to develop critical thinking skills. This debate raises important questions about how to best equip young people for success.

Research questions:

• How can schools most effectively blend career skills and academic theory?

• How is focusing on career skills most likely to impact students' career futures compared to focusing on theory?

• What are the drawbacks of focusing on career skills to the detriment of academic study?

• How does academic theory prepare students for success in the workplace?

Key issues on both sides:

For schools focusing on career skills: Prepares students directly for job market, Helps reduce youth unemployment by matching education with employer needs.

For schools focusing on academic theory: builds critical thinking creativity and problem solving skills, provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability

Audience/Stakeholders:

Students, Teachers, Employers

Question for peers?

Do you think schools should focus on career skills or academic theory and why?

Topic: Renewable energy in the US versus fossil fuels

I want to explore how renewable energy compares to fossil fuel energy in efficiency, environmental impact, and job opportunities.

Research questions:

• How does the efficiency of renewable sources compare to that of non-renewable ones?

• How large is the environmental impact of producing renewable power components?

• How will renewable energy affect job availability in power production?

• How does renewable energy land usage affect communities and ecosystems?

  Key Issues:

  Pros:

• Sustainable

• environmental benefits

• low operating costs.

  cons:

• Higher initial cost than other forms

• Land usage

• Impact from mining and production.

Audience:

The audience is everyone because the effects of greenhouse gas emissions will apply to everyone. A more specific audience could be lawmakers who can make laws to incentivise renewable power.

Peer question:

Is my topic too broad should I focus it on a more specific part?

Topic: Censorship of Press

Research Questions:

How do perceptions of press censorship influence public trust in media and government?
How does the U.S. approach to press freedom compare to other developed nations, and what impact does this have on international relations?
How can the government address disinformation without infringing on constitutional protections for the press?
What historical and current examples illustrate the tension between national security, public safety, and press freedom?

Key Issues on Both Sides: It's said the government is censoring press out of safety for them and citizens. While common people and journalists argue there is a constitutional right to know the information being censored.

Questions for Peers:

What does "freedom of the press" mean to you?

Can censorship ever protect society, or does it always harm it?

How does misinformation or fake news complicate the debate about press freedom?

-I’m writing about AI’s impact on society and how it could be a big issue in the future in terms of AI becoming smarter than humans 

Questions 

-Can humans still control AI once it becomes smarter than us

-How might advanced AI affect education and learning 

-What rules/laws should be made to help keep powerful AI safe

-Will we try to limit how smart AI can get? 

Arguments for: 

      - Smarter AI could help fix major problems such as disease and climate change

• It can make many every day tasks easier 

• It could help make humans learn faster

Arguments against: 

• Super intelligent AI could potentially replace many human jobs and cause unemployment 

- It could also get smart enough to blackmail or lie to humans if threatened 

Audience/stakeholders: 

-Students/teachers     -Workers and business owners     -Scientists    -Everyone else                                                                        Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/12/10/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-humans/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Questions for peers: - What do you think would happen if AI became smarter than humans?

• Should scientists try to stop AI from becoming too intelligent?

  
  

Topic: I am going to do research on GMO, virtual farming, and lab grown meat.

Research Question:

1) can technology driven food systems truly coexist with traditionally natural agriculture practices?

2) Is it ethical to rely on genetic engineering and lab grown products to solve world hunger?

3) Should society embrace lab grown meat as a solution to environmental problems?

4) Should consumers have the right to know if their food was grown in a lab or genetically modified?

Pros: environmental benefits, food safety, efficient, and has future potential.

Cons: High cost, high energy use, and economic impact on farmers.

Audience: everyone who eats food is affected by this issue.

Link:^{https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Food+Systems+%26+GMOs+%e2%80%93+lab-grown+meat%2c+vertical+farming+good+or+bad&&view=detail&mid=E23CC6FA3B1CAA894BCEE23CC6FA3B1CAA894BCE&FORM=VRDGAR}

Questions for peers:

1) what role do you think consumers play in shaping the future of food technology?

2) If GMO or lab grown mean were cheaper that traditional foods, would you change how you feel about it?

 Topic: Fungal decomposition of plastics in reference to landfill pollution

Research Questions: What species of fungi have proven results of decomposing plastic?

What is the economic costs relating growing and maintaining mushrooms in landfills?

How would the landfill staff, nearby residents and other stakeholders be benefitted from the cultivation of spores within landfills

How could successfully developed fungi assist with trash within landfills and help in climate issues.

Key Issues on Both Sides:

Pollution is affecting the environment everywhere. With single use plastics being the largest leading cause. On top of that landfills pile and pollute areas around them, too dark and compressed to decompose.

On the other hand, fungal research is limited with many unknown species. The economic and success rate also may not produce a beneficial yield to make the work worth it.

Questions for Peers:

Are my research questions developed strongly enough?

Does this sound like an enriching, interesting topic?

Topic: Flock behavioral and surveillance monitoring.

1. How do Flock Safety cameras affect community privacy and data security?

2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using automated surveillance systems for crime prevention?

3. How are local governments and police departments regulating or justifying their use?

4. What alternatives exist for ensuring public safety without compromising civil liberties?

Key Issues on Both Sides:

Proponents: Argue that Flock cameras help solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles, and improve neighborhood safety through real-time data.

Opponents: Raise concerns about privacy violations, mass surveillance, data misuse, and the lack of transparency or consent in their deployment.

My Stakeholders

Residents in surveilled neighborhoods, local policymakers, law enforcement agencies, privacy advocates, and civil rights organizations.

Questions for Peers

• Does my focus on Flock cameras seem too narrow, or is it clear enough to support a full research project?

• Should I expand the topic to include other surveillance technologies?

• What types of sources (academic, legal, or community-based) would best strengthen my argument?