Mr. Farley

The Bronx High School of Science

Introduction

The United States is much too dependent on imported energy. The majority of the energy used in the United States is imported from other countries in the form of fossil fuels. This presents several major problems. First, the burning of fossil fuels contributes to the production of greenhouse gases which are linked to global warming. Second, the burning of fossil fuels contributes to pollution which can damage the environment and cause health problems. Third, depending on foreign energy places the United States at the mercy of other governments that could become unfriendly or unstable. These governments could, in effect, hold the United States hostage by refusing to supply the energy needed to satisfy US needs. This could result in very serious consequences to the US economy and greater geopolitical instability.

Task

You are the member of a special Senate committee which will study the problem of energy dependence and provide recommendations to reduce it. Your committee will produce a report which will be presented to the greater Senate and forwarded to the President for his consideration. You will have to convince the President that the current policies are dangerous to our future and that major changes are needed.

Process

Your committee will consist of three students. 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. The steps are as follows:

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

For each step, you may want to use the worksheets to help you outline your report. The final report should contain six sections corresponding to the Science Public Policy Analyst above.

Resources

Global Warming Web Site -

Skepticism Web Site - includes many articles on both sides of the Global Warming Debate.

National Public Radio - a three part series from National Public Radio on Global Warming issues

EPA Global Warming Site - lots of Global Warming information from the US Environmental Protection Agency

NOAA Global Warming Site – Global Warming information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels – Article on the web site of the Union of Concerned Scientists

EPA Web Site – links to more general information about pollution and fossil fuels

Persian Gulf Fact Sheet - From the US Department of Energy. Gives statistics related to the import of oil from the Middle East

Reducing America’s Energy Dependence – Article from the National Resource Defense Council

Energy Security – Article on the dangers of Energy Dependence from the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security

Global Challenges for U.S. Energy Policy: Economic, Environmental, and Security Risks – Article from the Brookings Institution about security risks due to energy dependence

Laying Plans for a Hydrogen Highway – Article on alternative energy sources from the organization Energy Independence Now

Alternative Energy Institute – Web site devoted to alternative energy sources by the organization of the same name.

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 five 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.
Arguments	Your group made very convincing arguments for the policies that you have recommended	Your group made convincing arguments for the policies that you have recommended	Your group made few convincing arguments for the policies that you have recommended	Your group made unconvincing arguments for the policies that you have recommended
Grammar/Style	There were no significant grammar or style errors.	There were few significant grammar or style errors.	There were many significant grammar or style errors.	There were very many significant grammar or style errors.
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:

v E1c: Read and comprehend informational materials.

v E2a: Produce a report of information.

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

Science

v S8a: Demonstrates scientific competence by completing secondary research.

v S7b: Argues from evidence.

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

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

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

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

Applied Learning

v A2b: Prepare a formal written proposal or report to an organization beyond the school.

Conclusion:

By completing this web quest project, you will have learned the following:

1. Energy, a topic studied in Physics, has broad applications.

2. Many sources of energy are being depleted.

3. Energy is a commodity that is often at the center of geopolitical conflict.

4. There are many different opinions as to ways to change our country’s policies to reduce foreign dependence and the problems associated with using fossil fuels.

Furthermore, by completing this project you will have attained or developed the following skills:

1. Produce a report of information in a logical sequence to improve its clarity and effectiveness.

2. Demonstrate scientific competence by arguing from evidences gathered through research and by effectively communicating the results in a written report.

3. Capacity to analyze opposing views and explanations through research and collected data in the form of surveys; distinguish between facts and opinions to arrive at an ultimate resolve.

4. How to formulate effective public polices by means of a public policy analyst.