Students break into two groups and develop and present arguments in a structured debate in favor of and against restricting access to certain caves.

Objectives: Students will be able to verbally articulate arguments for and against denying visitors access to certain caves at Craters of the Moon. They will develop and be able to express a personal opinion on the topic. Duration: 1-2 hours of class time Materials: Magic Markers, 2 flip charts Procedure: 1. Split the class into two teams, perhaps combining groups that visited caves together. 2. Each group will represent one side of the issue of whether or not the National Park Service should deny the public access to certain caves in the monument. They will have 20 minutes to develop their arguments. The group should select one person to be the team scribe and record ideas on a flip chart. They must decide among themselves who will present each argument. Make sure that everyone takes a turn to speak, rather than having just one spokesperson for each group. While the groups are working, the teacher should circulate among them and make sure they are on track. Some suggestions for points they may want to make appear in the table on the following page. 3. The teacher will act as an impartial facilitator during the debate. Give each team 2 minutes to present each of their arguments and the other team 30 seconds to rebut. Team one should present their first argument, followed by team 2's rebuttal. Then team two presents their first argument, followed by team 1's rebuttal. They continue to alternate until both sides have presented all of their arguments. 4. Take two confidential votes following the debate. Which team did they think most powerfully and effectively argued their case? Then have them vote on their personal beliefs, regardless of which team they were on. Do they think that the National Park Service should deny access to certain areas at Craters of the Moon (and other National Parks and Monuments) to protect fragile resources?

Pro Denying Access to Caves Only those caves with resources so fragile that they would be irreparably harmed if entered are closed. There are dozens of other caves open to visitors, while less than ten are closed. The National Park Service has a mandate to preserve resources in the monument "unimpaired". This takes precedence over giving visitors access to every part of the monument. Anti Denying Access to Cave The National Monument is public land, it belongs to us, and as US citizens we have a right to enter any part of it we please. The federal government should not exert control over the actions of private individuals as long as they are not hurting anyone. The Park Service should focus on educating the public to use the caves with care instead of penalizing everyone because of the careless actions of a few individuals.