Barbara Hemedinger

Binghamton High School

Introduction:

The United States is dependent on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) as its main sources of energy. This dependency has caused problems for this country. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to global warming by increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The rate at which we consume fossil fuels has forced the United States to depend on oil rich countries, mostly in the Middle East, to meet our fuel needs. Foreign policy has been shaped by this need for oil and some people feel that it has led to U.S. involvement in two recent wars. The president of the United States is currently seeking government approval to drill for oil in the pristine wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Task:

You are a member of a Senate committee on energy. The committee must create new energy policies that will decrease the need for fossil fuels in the United States. To perform this task you will have to research current energy policies as well as alternative energy sources that are currently available. You will also have to educate yourself on the advantages of energy conservation practices.

Process:

· The committee will be broken into subcommittees of three people each.

· There will be a subcommittee to study each of the following issues:

o Solar Energy

o Wind Power

o Electric Hybrid Cars

o Ethanol Fuel

o Geothermal Energy

o Nuclear Energy

o Energy Conservation Methods

· Each subcommittee will create a report in the form of a power point presentation to include the following:

o A description of the alternative energy source or the conservation methods including:

· How they work

· The advantages and disadvantages

· The percentage of total energy needs or energy savings that could potentially be realized by using the energy source or conservation methods

o A national policy proposal for the use of the energy source or conservation methods

o An explanation of how your policy would decrease the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels.

· Your report will follow the format of the Science Public Policy Analyst developed at Syracuse University. This will guide you step by step through the various components of the report. You may use the worksheets provided in the links to help you organize your report. The steps are as follows:

• Define the problem
• Gather evidence
• Identify causes
• Evaluate a policy
• Develop solutions
• Select best solution

Resources:

To collect the evidence to support your policy you may use newspaper or magazine articles or online sources. The following list of online sources may be useful to you.

Alternate Energy Sources – a description of alternate energy sources

Energy Savers – energy conservation methods that can be used in the home

The Alternative Energy Institute – the hidden costs of fossil fuels

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – provides information on a wide range of environmental issues including energy sources and conservation

Persian Gulf Fact Sheet – provides statistics on oil production and U.S. oil imports

NRDC: Reducing America's Energy Dependence – an overview of U.S. energy policies

Global Challenges for U.S. Energy Policy – a review of U.S. energy policy and alternative energy sources

Defenders of Wildlife Arctic Wildlife Refuge – information on oil drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge

Energy Conservation – information on conservation methods

Evaluation

	Excellent 3	Good 2	Fair 1	Unacceptable 0	Score
Research	Your group did extensive research from the recommended and other sites.	Your group did research primarily from the recommended sites.	Your group did a minimal amount of research from sites.	No or very little research was done.
Citations	At least four citations were made from your researched sources including ones you found.	At least three citations were made from your researched sources including ones you found.	At least two citations were made from your researched sources including ones you found.	No citations were made from your researched sources including ones you found.
Understanding	Your group demonstrated a clear understanding of the energy source or conservation methods being presented.	Your group demonstrated some understanding of the energy source or conservation methods being presented.	Your group demonstrated very little understanding of the energy source or conservation methods being presented.	Your group did not demonstrate an understanding of the energy source or conservation methods being presented.
Clarity of Policy Proposal	Your group clearly explained and supported their policy proposal.	Your group somewhat clearly explained and supported their policy proposal.	Your group explained their policy proposal but did not support it.	Your group did not explain or support their policy proposal.
Teamwork	It was evident that all members of the group contributed to the product	It was evident that most members of the group contributed to the product.	It was evident that only one member of the group contributed to the product.	It was evident that the members of the group did not contribute to the product

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Standards:

This Web quest meets the following NY State English and Science Standards

English:

E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a: Produce a report of information.

E4b: Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

Science

S8a: Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research.

S7b: Argues from evidence.

S7e: Communications in a form suited to the purpose and the audience.

S5c: Uses evidence from reliable sources to develop descriptions, explanations, and models; and makes appropriate adjustments and improvements.

S5d: Proposes, recognizes, analyzes, considers, and critiques alternative explanations; and distinguishes between fact and opinion.

S5f: Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas.

Conclusion:

As a result of this webquest you should be able to:

1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of at least one alternative energy source.

2. Compare the benefits and costs of using alternative energy sources with those of fossil fuel use.

3. Analyze current U.S. energy policy and make proposals to improve it based on research.

4. Research available online data and separate fact from opinion.
5. Work as a team to research, analyze and organize information to create a clear public policy statement.
6. Use a power point presentation to effectively communicate information and ideas to explain and support a policy proposal.
7. Formulate effective public policy by means of a public policy analyst.