Alternative Sources of Energy WebQuest for Fifth Graders

Introduction

Since the world is becoming so overpopulated and there is an increase in air, land and sea pollution, it is time to make a change and be that Physicist. I am providing fifth-graders with an opportunity to present a PowerPoint to leaders suggesting why alternative sources of energy should be implemented in their country. I have chosen this Webquest to fulfill the standard of the Curriculum in the Science and Technology content area and also standard 6 of being a creative communicator. The creative communicator is responsible to communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. 

This webquest is dubbed unique to the community because learners would have been experiencing numerous electrical outages due to the breakdown and errors in fuel generators. Learners would seek to find solutions to minimize outages by engaging in this webquest.

 

Task

  • Students would be assigned the task of presenting facts, pros, and cons to leaders suggesting why alternative sources of energy would be beneficial to all citizens.

  • ​​​​Students would be grouped to research and investigate one alternative source of energy.

  • There will be three groups that will research hydropower, wind energy, and geothermal energy. Students will then create powerpoint presentations to present to the leader of the country in hopes of aiding a change in developing their community.

  • A list of questions would be given to students and the questions would be answered to support the presentation.

Process

Step 1.  Learners would work in their groups to record all that they know about non-renewable sources of energy and renewable sources of energy used on the island. They will record how they think it affects the country and how the problem of using the non-renewable forms can be resolved or minimized in their home and the community.

Step 2.  At this stage, groups will work to answer the list of questions below with assistance from the links provided.

  1.  Electrical energy was discovered by who and how long ago?

http://www.kids.esdb.bg/energy_history.html

http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/science/sciber00/8th/forces/sciber/potkin.htm

 

  1. How is energy used in the home?

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=us_energy_homes

 

  1. What are alternative sources of energy?

http://www.altenergy.org/

 

  1. What energy is the most fundamental for living creatures?

http://www.kids.esdb.bg/energy_history.html

 

  1. Pros and cons of alternative energy

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUYVC8JINfo

Evaluation

 

This rubric will be used to grade students as a group after they would have presented the information requested. 

 

Satisfactory

0-4 points

Proficient

5-9 points

Exemplary

10 points

Creativity

Shows no creativity.

Has little creativity.

Has much creativity.

Information about Alternative sources of energy.

List of questions unanswered.

Questions answered but lack descriptions and details about the knowledge gained.

Questions answered with responses that demonstrate deeper knowledge and understanding.

Mechanics

Of Writing

Contains multiple errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar and sentence fragments.

Contains a few errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar but has complete sentences.

Contains correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation with complete sentences without fragments and correct use of capitalization.

PowerPoint Presentation

There is No PowerPoint or PowerPoint lack components.

PowerPoint has main components but lacks organization and details.

PowerPoint has all its components and is well organized with details.

 

 

Conclusion

This webquest has been created to foster the involvement of fifth-graders in their community. The webquest is designed for learners to investigate how they can promote a safer environment with alternative energy sources. After conducting research, learners can develop their own perspective of alternative energy sources implementation. Learners will also be able to formulate ways to educate others on how to integrate alternative energy source.

Credits