Introduction

It is 2 AM when you receive the call you knew for so long you were going to receive. Information has been leaked to the press that gasoline prices will drastically increase over the next couple of years, and the President of the United States has called an emergency meeting to outline to the public her plans to deal with this issue. A press conference is going to be scheduled for 5 PM where the President will inform the public of her policy decisions. As the science public policy analyst for the President, it is your job to inform and advise the President on the feasibility and benefits of alternative fuel vehicles. The technology for using alternatives to gasoline cars has been around for some time. Hybrid gasoline-electric cars are currently available to the public, but many other possibilities exist. Cars that run completely on electric power, engines that run on hydrogen gas, corn oil, alcohol, and other fuels can be made.

Task

Your job is to inform the President so that she can address the American people during the press conference on what the country plans to do. To make her decision, the President needs to know whether the current policy requiring automobile manufacturers to increase the fuel efficiency of all new cars being built is enough to reduce the effect this increase in gas prices will have on the population. Are other alternatives, such as hybrids, practical? Can existing cars be fitted with engines, or can their engines be modified so that they can use these alternative fuels? If so, then which is the most practical way to go? Using the first six steps of the Science Public Policy Analyst (SPPA) given below, you will analyze this problem and come up with a report.

Process

Your report (or presentation, or web page) must include the following six steps as outlined in the Science Public Policy Analyst website. Each of the links will take you to a page giving you details on the specific step, along with a worksheet (on the bottom of the page.)

1. First define the problem.
2. Next you need to gather the evidence that shows this is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed.
3. You should also identify the causes of this problem.
4. Evaluate a policy in place now that addresses these issues, such as requiring that all new cars built are more fuel efficient.
5. Research and develop solutions that might be available.
6. Most importantly, you need to select the best solution as you see it, explaining why.

You must complete each of the 6 worksheets – these will be collected.

The worksheets will not be graded, but will help you to complete the final report, which will be graded (see below.)

Your final product will be a report (approximately 5 typewritten pages) that addresses the six steps given above.

Resources

Use the following links to find information for your report. You can find all the information on these pages, along with the links they provide. Of course you may look for other websites, but you must include the sites you’ve used.

• NOW with Bill Moyers
  Introduction and overview of the problem, current policies, and alternatives.
• Energy Technology and Fuel Economy
  The physics behind what determines the fuel efficiency of cars.
• Rising Gas Prices
  Online News Hour with Ray Suarez discussing the problem and the feasibility of policy changes.
• Wall Street Week with Fortune
  A detailed article discussing the crises as well as a plan to help the situation.
• Clean Fuels from Plants
  information on ethanol, methanol
• Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
  US Department of Energy portal page on alternative fuels.
• Advanced Technology Vehicles
  US Department of Energy portal page on advanced technology vehicles (such as hybrids).
• How Electric Cars Work
  A good introduction to the science behind how these vehicles work.
• How Hybrid Cars Work
  A similar introduction to the one above.
• How Fuel Cells Work
  A similar introduction to the one above.

Evaluation

Keep the following table in mind when preparing your report. This is what I will be using when grading your papers.

	Exemplary 20 points	Accomplished 17 points	Developing 14 points	Beginning 12 points	Score
Knowledge of Scientific Content	The report included a great deal of scientific content, and also indicated a deep understanding of the underlying concepts of the scientific information.	The report included a good deal of scientific content, and also indicated a good understanding of the underlying concepts of the scientific information.	The report included a good deal of scientific content, but did not show a firm grasp of the concepts underlying the information.	The report did not include enough scientific information.
Use of the SPPA model	The report demonstrated a deep understanding of all six steps of the Science Public Policy Analyst model.	The report demonstrated a good understanding of most of the six steps of the Science Public Policy Analyst model.	The report demonstrated some understanding of most of the six steps of the Science Public Policy Analyst model.	The report did not demonstrate an understanding of the Science Public Policy Analyst model.
Analysis of Information Gathered	A lot of information such as statistics, graphs, and other research findings were included. The information was interpreted correctly.	Some information such as statistics, graphs, and other research findings were included. The information was interpreted correctly.	Some information such as statistics, graphs, and other research findings were included. The information was not always interpreted correctly.	The report did not use enough research in order to come up with a thesis.
Persuasiveness of Arguments Presented	The arguments made were persuasive. Information was presented in an interesting manner, and the arguments were based on solid scientific research.	The arguments made were persuasive. Information was presented in an interesting manner, and the arguments were based on solid scientific research.	The arguments made were persuasive. Information was presented in an interesting manner, and the arguments were based on solid scientific research.	The arguments made were persuasive. Information was presented in an interesting manner, and the arguments were based on solid scientific research.
Writing Style	The writing was clear, logically organized, and grammatically correct. The writing was interesting.	The writing was generally clear, logically organized, and grammatically correct. The writing was interesting.	The writing was grammatically correct, but not too clear or organized. The writing was not very interesting.	The writing was unclear. Grammatical errors were present throughout.

Standards

This Web quest meets the following NY State Science and English 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

· 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.

· S6c: Collects and analyzes data using concepts and techniques in Mathematics Standard 4.

Conclusion

At the end of this project you should have come to realize that science plays a role in everyone’s lives. It is important for everyone to have a good background in science in order to understand and take part in making public policy decisions that will affect all of us. In the case of alternative fuel vehicles, much research has been done. If something is not done soon, we will face many crises in the future, not least of which is the destruction of the environment. By completing this project you should learn a great deal of science. You should also learn how to differentiate between good information backed up with research and statistics and questionable information. Finally, you will develop critical thinking skills that will allow you to form opinions that you can back up with this knowledge.