Once the concept of energy is understood the unit will introduce how our society
cultivates, harnesses and uses energy. It will begin with our reliance on fossil fuels. It would be advantageous to set up a tour of the Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) facility or Yale’s power plant to create an understanding of energy production and its reliance on fossil fuels.
As the teacher I will model a presentation on fossil fuels. I will take a role as a Historian who discusses this energy source in other places and times, a Local Expert who discusses the use of this energy in the local area and an Environmentalist who discusses the impact of this energy source on the environment, the group will then work together to come up with ways to build structure to capture the natural renewable energy.
The next few classes will be used to break up into groups of three. The class will be provided with a problem to be solved. The problem will be to persuade the members of CL&P to convert their facility to the group’s alternative energy source. Each group will have the responsibility to give a persuasive presentation to the members of CL&P. Each group will select an alternative energy source and a role as the historian, local expert or the environmentalist. Group topics will include Hydroelectric, Ocean-Based, Nuclear, Wind, Solar and Bio Fuels. Students will research their topic via the media center incorporating literature, and the internet to create a three-part presentation, which will be given using Power Point. A model of the techniques used to collect the energy will be designed and displayed during the presentation.
Researching Renewable Energy Presentation
Introduction
Although there is an enormous amount of inexpensive fossil fuels that are still untapped the continued exploitation of these nonrenewable resources will deplete as time elapses. In the future, after the last sequestered drop of oil or inhalation of coal fly ash, big business will be in renewable energies. Today there is a considerable interest in the topic of renewable energy. This is due to the growing concerns of environmental degradation due to the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain and global warming are two major concerns. On the surface a conversion to renewable green energy sources would make sense however investing in renewable energy can be quite controversial. Scientifically not all scientists feel that this environmental decline is due to fossil fuel use. Economically fossil fuels are currently abundant and obtainable at a minimal cost. They are important contributors to economic development and a conversion to a more environmentally friendly energy source may cause economic problems such as unemployment increases.
Procedure:
1. Your group will be assigned a renewable energy resource to research.
2. There will be one of three roles taken by each member of the group;
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a. a
Historian
who discusses this energy source in other places and times
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b. a
Local Expert
who discusses the use of this energy in the local area
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c. an
Environmentalist
who discusses the impact of this energy source on the environment
3. The group will then work together to come up with ways to build structure to capture the natural renewable energy.
Topics
to be discussed in you presentations
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A discussion on what your renewable energy is.
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What are some examples of your renewable energy.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of you renewable energy.
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How much energy does the assigned energy source currently produce in the U.S.
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How important is this source likely to become in the future?
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Is this resource affordable?
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How does this energy affect the environment?
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A diagram of how energy is sequester from your energy source.
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1 Table (at least)
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1 Graph (at least)
4. Your presentation will be conducted with Power Point
5. These presentations will be a product of your research including tables and graphs you feel are appropriate to you topic.
Group 2 = Wind energy
Group 3 = Hydropower energy
Group 4 = Geothermal energy
Group 5 = Biomass energy
Group 6 = Tidal energy (Ocean energy)