Proposal of Next Energy Revolution: From the Industrial Revolution

Proposal of Next Energy Revolution: From the Industrial Revolution to the Present Eighth Grade STEM Project Focus Question: As America shifts from fossil fuels to renewable resources, many questions arise. How is America going to respond to scarcity of resources? What is the best alternative means for sustaining energy needs in the USA? Your Role: You must examine the history of energy use in the United States from the Industrial Revolution to the present and decide the best course for America’s future plan of energy use. In your endeavors, you will create a realistic plan and you will present your idea and findings to the United States Congress in the hope that they will adopt your plan for the whole country. Overall Criteria for your Energy Plan:  Examine the history of general energy use in the United States since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s  Predict the next major form of energy in the United States  Outline the history behind that energy source  Create a proposal detailing how that energy source will benefit America and how it will be used throughout the country Your Energy Choices:  Wind  Solar  Geothermal  Nuclear  Hydroelectric  Biofuels Student Products: Proposal Requirements for ALL projects:  Research of history of your energy source  Benefits of your energy source  Changes to society caused by your energy source (with examples)  Potential problems associated with the use of your energy source Students may pick from three options for their proposal (pick only one): (1) Research summary with written proposal  Research summary should be 2 pages and should include research of America’s energy use throughout history and the research of your proposed energy source  Written proposal should be 1-2 pages  4-6 sources cited using MLA citations  4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation that is meant to persuade your class (“Congress”) to support your energy source. (2) Tri-fold display of proposal with research, text, and images  4-6 sources using MLA citations  4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation with a visual aid (tri-fold poster) that is meant to persuade your class (“Congress”) to support your energy source.  All group members must participate in presentation  4-6 sources using MLA citations

(3) PowerPoint presentation of proposal with research, text, and images  5-10 Slides  4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation with a visual aid (PowerPoint presentation) that is meant to persuade your class (“Congress”) to support your energy source.  All group members must participate in presentation  4-6 sources using MLA citations  PowerPoint presentations should be saved on a flash-drive Debate: Students will lead a debate in the mock Congress following their presentation on the effectiveness of their energy proposal.  A committee of your classmates will vote on the most viable or effective energy source proposal. Groups:  Students may work independently or in groups of 2-3  Groups must be pre-approved by the student’s social studies teacher Schedule for Project Completion:  Students will be given 3 days to complete research and project preparation in the computer lab  Students will present in class the day following the research period

Team Name(s)_________________________________________________________________

Research

Benefits

Changes

Problems

Presentation: Power of Persuasion

Distinguished 4 Highly detailed information based on how technology was developed: addresses the purpose, inventor, and 5 W’s. Gives sophisticated explanation on how advancements in energy are beneficial to society. Provides more than 2 examples to show how advancements in energy make societal changes with a rationale for each example. Identifies more than three problems regarding how advancements negatively impact society. Team is able to thoroughly explain the negative impact and who is effected. Sophisticated use of propaganda techniques to persuade audience.

Total Points Earned:__________/20 Feedback:

Next Energy Revolution Accomplished Proficient 3 2 Sufficient information Gives limited based on how information based on technology was how technology was developed: developed: addresses the addresses the purpose, inventor, purpose, inventor, and 5 W’s. and 5 W’s. Gives clear Gives limited understanding on examples showing how advancements how advancements in in energy are energy are beneficial beneficial to society. to society. Provides at least 2 examples to show how advancements in energy make societal changes with a rationale for each example. Identifies at least three problems regarding how advancements negatively impact society. Team clearly communicates how the impact is negative and who is effected. Effectively uses propaganda techniques to persuade audience .

Provides 1 example that shows how advancements in energy make societal changes with a rationale for the example. Identifies 2 or less problems regarding how advancements negatively impact society. Team is unable to clearly communicate the negative impact on others.

Attempted to use propaganda techniques to persuade audience.

Developing 1 Gives little to no information based on how technology was developed: addresses inventors, gives partial information to support understanding Attempts to explain the advancements in energy and how they benefit society but lacks a clear understanding. Fails to provide a clear example that shows how advancements in energy make societal changes. No rationale provided. Fails to identify any problem regarding how advancements negatively impact society.

No propaganda techniques used.

Name ________________________________ Self-Analysis of 21st Century Learning Skills Distinguished Accomplished Proficient 4 3 2 Creativity Demonstrates high Demonstrates Demonstrates some level of creativity in creativity and creativity but lacks solution and original thought in original ideas and presentation. solution and thoughts. presentation. Collaboration I contributed to my I contributed to my I worked well with team as a leader. team in a positive my team members and helpful way and contributed (sharing ideas, when asked. I was respecting others) able to comprise and find common ground when we disagreed. Communication I was able to clearly I was able to clearly I was able to communicate ideas communicate ideas communicate my in both written and in both written and ideas clearly to my oral form. My oral form. teammates. My communication led conversations were to the overall on task and effectiveness of the productive to the presentation. group. Innovation I was able to create I was able to take I was able to a new solution that existing ideas and understand existing does not exist and expand on them to ideas began addresses the make brainstorm ways to problem. improvements. make Improved solutions improvements. No were presented to new solutions were my team. presented to my team. Critical Thinking & I was able to I was able to I was able to explain Problem Solving evaluate an effective evaluate an effective an effective solution solution to solution to to renewable renewable energy renewable energy. energy. and make judgments on the impact for society. Use of I used a new form of My use and I contributed to the Technology technology to contributions of use of technology present ideas and technology but my participation effectively enhanced the was little. demonstrated presentation. I knowledge of new learned something technology skills. new in technology. What was your weakest area? Why?

What factors contributed to the overall success of the project? Why?

Developing 1 Lacks any creativity and original thought.

I had a difficult time getting along with my teammates. We could not agree and work well together.

I struggled to communicate my ideas clearly to my teammates.

I was not able to create any new solutions due to lack of understanding existing ideas.

I was able to identify an effective solution to renewable energy.

I am not very good at using technology to present ideas.