Introduction
The Power Crisis: Designing a Sustainable Energy Plan
Welcome to the Town Council Energy Board! Our community is currently relying on aging fossil fuel power plants that pollute our local air and contribute to rising energy costs. The Mayor has tasked our advisory panel with creating a sustainable, realistic plan to transition 50% of our local energy grid to clean, renewable resources over the next five years.
As members of this task force, you will step into real-world roles—acting as environmental scientists, energy engineers, financial analysts, and community advocates—to analyze our region's natural resources and propose a viable renewable energy strategy. Are you ready to power our future?
Task
Working in teams of four, your group will investigate different renewable energy sources (Solar, Wind, Hydroelectric, and Biomass). Together, you will author a 5-Page Executive Energy Proposal and deliver a 5-Minute Pitch Presentation to the Town Council.
Each group member will adopt one of the following specialized roles:
- The Environmental Scientist: Analyzes local climate conditions, land use, and ecological impacts of each energy source.
- The Energy Engineer: Evaluates power generation capabilities, technological efficiency, and grid integration requirements.
- The Financial Analyst: Calculates setup costs, long-term savings, and government grants or incentives.
- The Community Advocate: Assesses public opinion, job creation potential, and community benefits or drawbacks.
Process
Process & Resources
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Phase 1: Role Selection & Individual Research (30 mins) Choose your role within your group of 4. Use the curated web resources below to research your specialized area and take notes on your role worksheet.
- Phase 2: Group Synthesis & Strategy (40 mins) Convene with your team. Share your findings and debate which combination of two renewable energy sources best fits our local geography and budget.
- Phase 3: Final Deliverable Creation (50 mins) Draft your Executive Energy Proposal using a shared Google Doc or Word document, and prepare 3–5 slides summarizing your recommendation for the Town Council pitch.
🔗 Curated Web Resources
- Energy Overview: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - Energy Kids
- Interactive Simulation: PhET Interactive Simulations - Energy Forms and Changes
- Environmental Impact Data: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Financial & Cost Tools: IRENA - Renewable Cost Database
Evaluation
| Criteria | Developing (1 Pt) | Proficient (3 Pts) | Exemplary (5 Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role Perspective & Research | Basic facts gathered; minimal connection to the assigned role. | Solid research with clear connections to the assigned professional role. | Deep, accurate research demonstrating thorough understanding of the assigned role. |
| Collaborative Analysis | Group selected energy sources without clear justification or trade-offs. | Group justified choice of renewable sources using research data. | Highly persuasive, evidence-based strategy balancing environmental, technical, and financial factors. |
| Final Proposal & Pitch | Incomplete proposal or disorganized presentation slides. | Well-structured proposal and clear slide presentation meeting all requirements. | Professional-grade proposal and creative presentation with clear solutions to potential problems. |
Conclusion
Congratulations, Task Force Members!
You have successfully evaluated complex data, debated competing priorities, and crafted a sustainable energy solution for our town. Through this project, you explored how scientific principles, financial realities, and community needs intersect in real-world decision-making.
Reflection Questions:
- What was the most challenging trade-off your group had to make between environmental goals and financial costs?
- How did seeing the problem through your assigned role change how you viewed the energy transition?
Credits
- Framework: WebQuest Model invented by Dr. Bernie Dodge (1995).
- Resource Links: Courtesy of EIA Kids, PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado Boulder), NREL, and IRENA.
- Platform: Created on CreateWebQuest.com.
Teacher Page
📌 Submission Instructions
- Go to CreateWebQuest Registration and create your free account.
- Click Create a WebQuest and copy the corresponding sections above into the site's step-by-step editor.
- Once published, copy your generated WebQuest URL (e.g., [https://www.createwebquest.com/webquest/your-title](https://www.createwebquest.com/webquest/your-title)) and submit it to your course portal/instructor!