Biochemistry: Aspartame Case Study
The Issue:
In recent years there has been heated public debate surrounding the safety of the dipeptide “Aspartame”.
Aspartame is an artificially synthesized sweetening agent used in the food and beverage industry. Although
approved by Health Canada and the FDA in the United States there have been claims that Aspartame is a
carcinogen and poses other adverse health effects.
Your Task:
You have been provided with two resources outlining two different perspectives on this issue. In addition to
these you must find at least two more electronic sources, each supporting one of the sides of the debate. After
familiarizing yourself with the issue, you must TAKE A STAND.
Your task is to produce a public service announcement advocating for your side of the issue.
Your final product can be in one of the following forms:

Newspaper editorial

Brochure

Subway advertisement

Television / radio segment (maximum 5 min)
(eg. Nature of Things episode, CBC interview, Oprah)

Product of your choice (must be approved by your teacher)
You final product must include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The chemical structure / composition of aspartame
A summary of the issue
An explanation of at least 3 specific argument supporting your perspective on the issue
A list of references in APA format with a minimum of 4 sources (including the 2 provided)
Qualities of an effective final product:





Creative, interesting, and thought provoking
Strongly focused on content
Captures and maintains the interest of the intended audience
Aesthetically pleasing (where applicable)
Professional
Due Dates:
Peer Assessment Date: ____________ Final Product Due Date: ____________
The final product will be due 2 weeks after the date it was assigned.
It is recommended that you use one week to complete your research and one week to complete your product.
After the first week, each student will have a conference with a peer to assess your progress and plan for
completion. You must have completed most or all of your research by the peer assessment date.
Sharing of final product:
On the due date of the project, students will meet in small groups to share what they have produced. This sharing
is NOT for marks, but is rather an opportunity to proudly share your hard work with your classmates.
Peer Assessment Checklist
** Please hand this page in with your final product **
Name : ______________________________________________________________
Peer Assessor
: ______________________________________________________________
Complete the following checklist IN CLASS with your peer assessor. On the day of the peer assessment please
ensure that you bring ALL of your project materials that you have gathered and/or produced thus far.
Important Note
** The only component of the project that is REQUIRED to be completed by the peer
assessment date is that most or all of your research materials have been gathered. **
Questions
Answers
1. Have the required additional two research materials been gathered?
Yes 
No 
2. Have more research materials been gathered than the required two?
Yes 
No 
How many? _____
more
.
3. Are all of the materials reliable, appropriate, relevant, and applicable to this project?
Yes 
No 
4. Are more sources needed to thoroughly complete this project?
Yes 
No 
How many? _____
5. Has the production of the final product been started?
Yes 
No 
6. Has a plan been established to complete the required work by the due date?
Yes 
No 
If you answered no, please take
some time to make a plan
7. Discuss your thoughts and ideas about the final product with your peer assessor.
Identify strengths and weaknesses in the project.
Complete 
8. Have your peer assessor write down three specific suggestions to improve your final product or help you
improve your research or action plan.
Teacher’s Signature:
Biochemisty: Aspartame Case Study
RUBRIC
K/U
R
(less than 50%)
- Content is brief and
inaccurate
- Requirements are not met
1
(50 - 59%)
-structure of aspartame may
be inaccurate
- one or more arguments are
missing
- argument(s) may be based
on false or irrelevant
information
- key information is missing.
- contains many gaps in info
- incomplete
- arguments unrelated to the
issue
- not linked to appropriate
aspects of biochemistry
- arguments chosen are not
representative of the views
held by either perspective in
the public debate or focused
on false or unverifiable
information
- no clear link to knowledge
of biochemistry
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- messy / sloppy
- spelling and grammar at an
acceptable level
Accuracy
Thoroughness of
information
A
Quality of
arguments
Effectiveness of
final product
2
(60 - 69%)
- aspartame structure is
partly accurate
- summary is partially
inaccurate
- one argument may be
missing
- arguments may be based
on false or irrelevant
information.
- Contains several gaps in
information
- arguments are weakly
based on research, or
research is misinterpreted
- no clear link to knowledge
of biochemistry
3
(70 – 79%)
- aspartame structure is
accurate
- Summary is entirely or
mostly accurate.
- three arguments are mostly
based on accurate and
relevant information
- may contain gaps in
information
4
(80 - 100%)
- aspartame structure is
accurate
- issue summary is accurate
- three arguments are based
on accurate and relevant
information
- Topic is covered
thoroughly. No required
information missing
- arguments are logical but
either confusing, lengthy, or
weakly supported by the
researched information
- partially links knowledge of
biochemistry to arguments
- derives thoughtful, rational,
concise, logical arguments
from researched information
- links knowledge of
biochemistry to arguments
- Much too complex, or too
simple for public
consumption
- would not capture or holds
audience
- ineffective format.
unprofessional.
- limited creativity
- not catered to public
(either too complex, or too
simple)
- would weakly capture and
hold audience
- format does not capture
issue. Lack visual appeal.
- some creativity
- appropriate for public
consumption
- would capture and hold
audience
- effective product.
Attention to detail lacking.
- considerable creativity
- appropriate for public
consumption
- would strongly capture and
hold audience
- authentic, professional
product
- high degree of creativity
- Many spelling and grammar
errors.
- poorly edited, or revisions
not made.
- Some spelling and grammar
errors.
- insufficient editing or
revisions not made.
- few spelling and grammar
errors.
- Thoroughly edited.
- No spelling and grammar
errors.
- Thoroughly edited.
Mark
/6
/10
C
Audience
appropriate
Authentic /
Professional
creativity
/10
C
Spelling
Grammar
/2
Final Mark:
/6 K/U
/ 10 A
/ 12 C