Paul M. Jones
Implementing District and National Standards
The following are district and national science standards that are addressed in this unit. It is the intention of this unit for students to use inquiry based questioning to investigate renewable and sustainable energy, and the impact they have on the local and global environment.
Logic and inquiry are the underlying goals of this unit. It is not crucial for a ninth grade student to have rote memory of the logistical requirements of a wind turbine. The goal of this unit is for students to look at the logistics of a wind turbine, and ask why it would or would not work in that location, is it feasible, and if not, why isn't it? As the student investigates these topics, developing a broad understanding, it should be the teacher's mission to develop the student as a thoughtful, questioning member of society. Most students in this age group understand that the current energy policy is not a successful long term plan. It is the intention of this unit for them to learn why this is so, and to start asking the questions that will lead them to an alternative plan that is necessary for a sustainable future.
District Standards Addressed
D8 - Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of fossil and nuclear fuels to produce electricity.
D23 - Explain how the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) in the atmosphere increases Earth's "greenhouse" effect and may cause climate changes.
D9 - Describe the availability, current uses and environmental issues related to the use of wind and solar energy to produce electricity.
National Standards Addressed
Content Standard A- Scientific Inquiry
Students should formulate a testable hypothesis and demonstrate logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding a hypothesis and the design of the experiment. They should demonstrate appropriate procedures, a knowledge base, and conceptual understanding of scientific investigations.
Content Standard C- Natural Resources
Human populations use resources in the environment in order to maintain and improve their existence. Natural resources have been and will continue to be used to maintain human populations.
Content Standard C- Natural Resources
The earth does not have infinite resources; increasing human consumption places severe stress on the natural processes that renew some resources, and depletes those resources that cannot be renewed.