Uninformed opinions are usually based on assumptions we've never really examined. Examples of popular assumptions that are largely unexamined:

• "13ottled water is safer and better for us than tap water:'

• "Forest fires should always be prevented or suppressed immediately:·

• "The fewer germs in their environment, the healthier the children."

• "The more sor we eat, the better:·

Identify and examine one popular assumption for accuracy. For example, you might tackle the bottled water assumption by visiting the FDA Web site

and the Sierra Club site

sierra.org>, for starters. Also take a look at the Sierra Club's Twitter feed: . (Unl ess you get stuck, work with an assumption not listed above.) Trace the sites and links you followed to get your information, and write up your findings in a memo to be shared with the class.