For this task, students will work in teams to examine a specific type of renewable energy source. Student groups will research one renewable energy resource (such as solar energy, wind energy, biomass, geothermal energy, hydrogen fuel, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power) and determine the current use of the renewable resource within a local context.
Students will then analyze the feasibility of significantly expanding the use of this type of energy source and prepare an argument based on evidence from their research and their analysis. As a group, they will prepare a logical and convincing argument with evidence about why this is a feasible alternative energy source for their location. To fully develop their argument, they must justify why their renewable resource is the “best” for their location providing multiple credible sources of evidence to support their claim. They must also explain and refute any alternative renewable resources using evidence, and identify the limitations of their argument.
Groups will then create a multimedia public awareness campaign (e.g., a infomercial, commercial, video, song, billboard, etc.) to inform the public and generate support for the use of renewable energy. Individually, they will write a reflective essay sharing what they learned from this project.
