The Lack of Energy in the US

George Westinghouse High School

Steven Ligator

INTRODUCTION

In the US today there is a great demand for Energy. Every home and factory needs electricity, every car needs a source of fuel, and people want a clean and cheap source. One proposed solution is nuclear energy. Nuclear power has been demonized, as well as being hailed as a solution.

TASK

The final culmination of this WebQuest will be a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation that each group will develop to present to the entire class. The PowerPoint will be used to convince them of your position. Each student should present for three to four minutes.

PROCESS

You will work in groups of four. You and three other students will research the problem of the lack of energy sources in the U.S. today, evidence of that problem and the causes of that problem. Then you will evaluate one of the main current policy solutions—the reliance on nuclear energy and the building of nuclear power plants in the United States. After completing the above task the group will be split up into two teams researching the advantages, and disadvantages of nuclear power. After completion of your research the group will discuss their findings, and come up with a decision of what the country should do.

When you finish you will use the PPA (Public Policy Analyst) to:

1 - Define and describe the problem regarding the shortage of safe, clean sources of energy: https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.doc

2 – Gather evidence about the problem2-Gather the evidence https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.doc

3 – Identify the causes of the problem3-Identify the causes ohttps://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.doc

4 – Describe and evaluate existing policies - 44-Describe and evaluate existing policies https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.doc

5 – Develop several policy solutions5-Develop several policy solutions https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/solutionsex.html

6 – Select the best policy6-Select the best policy https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet6.doc

Other RESOURCES

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/business/energy-environment/us-energy-policy-caught-in-the-vise-of-economics-and-politics.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-T-Z/USA--Nuclear-Power-Policy/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-nuclear-power.html

http://www.fi.edu/guide/wester/benefits.html

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Disadvantages_NuclearEnergy.php

EVALUATION

Multimedia Project : Nuclear Power Web Quest



Teacher Name: Mr. Ligator


Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Presentation	Well-rehearsed with smooth delivery that holds audience attention.	Rehearsed with fairly smooth delivery that holds audience attention most of the time.	Delivery not smooth, but able to maintain interest of the audience most of the time.	Delivery not smooth and audience attention often lost.
Content	Covers topic in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the topic. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Attractiveness	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance the presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presentaion content.
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded.	All requirements are met.	One requirement was not completely met.	More than one requirement was not completely met.

Date Created: Nov 05, 2013 09:41 am (CST)

CONCLUSION

The research and information you have gathered as part of your social problem policy analysis is very valuable. The recommendations you have proposed are critical in the effort to improve student understanding of Energy, and more specifically Nuclear energy.

STANDARDS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS STANDARDS

STANDARD 1 - LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDING

1. LISTENING AND READING

Listening and reading to acquire information and understanding involves collecting data, facts, and ideas; discovering relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and using knowledge from oral, written and electronic sources.

2. SPEAKING AND WRITING

Speaking and writing to acquire and transmit information requires asking probing and clarifying questions, interpreting information in one’s own words, applying information from one context to another, and presenting the information clearly, concisely, and comprehensibly.

E1 - READING

E1c. - read and comprehend information material.

E2 - WRITING

E2a. - produce a report of information.

E3 - SPEAKING, LISTENING AND VIEWING

E3c. - participate and deliver an individual presentation.

E4b. - Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity and effectiveness: Language for Social Interaction

Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education

Standard 1: Analysis, Inquiry, and Design

Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seeks answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2: Information Systems

Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.

CC.1.2.11-12.B Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and conclusions based on and related to an author’s implicit and explicit assumptions and beliefs.