This InspireData lesson enables students to vote for their preferred candidate in the 2008 presidential election. Tamara Weinstein, Educational Technology Specialist at The Children's School in Atlanta, GA, came up with the idea and created the original database. She intended it for her 5th grade students, but it is suitable for students in grades 5-12 (and adults). Students first research the issues to decide which candidate's views they prefer on a variety of issues, such as education, the environment and Iraq using class discussion and sources such as the following:

http://www.2008electionprocon.org

http://www.issue2008.com

http://www.votehelp.org

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/issues/index.html

Sample plots with captions are included, and if desired an e-Survey can be launched to conduct the voting using the Database Template.
This activity was created using InspireData 1.5, which must be installed to open the file(s). Download a 30-day free trial at www.inspiration.com/freetrial or if you have InspireData 1.0, download a complementary upgrade.