Introduction
Our planet is facing an unprecedented energy crisis. Fossil fuels are depleting rapidly, and rising carbon emissions are driving global temperatures to dangerous heights.
The Mayor of Eco-City has just called an emergency summit. The city’s old, coal-fired power plant must be decommissioned by the end of the year, and they need a brand-new, 100% sustainable energy plan to power 50,000 homes. The future of the city rests on your shoulders. Are you ready to save Eco-City?
Task
Your team has been hired as Green Energy Consultants. Your mission is to investigate alternative energy options and pitch a comprehensive Eco-City Power Proposal.
Your team's final product will be a Digital Slide Presentation (5–7 slides) or a Digital Infographic that clearly details:
- The top 2 renewable energy sources best suited for a coastal city with high winds and sunny summers.
- A clear cost-benefit analysis (pros vs. cons) for each selected source.
- A strategic visual plan explaining where these energy plants should be positioned for maximum efficiency.
Process
Follow these steps to complete your research:
1. Form your teams: Break off into groups of three. Within your group, have each student take on a different role:
- The Environmental Scientist will be in charge of the environmental impact, carbon emission reduction, and animal safety of the project.
- The Energy Engineer will be in charge of the mechanics of the project, how much it can produce both during the day and the night, and how reliable the source is.
- The Financial Analyst will be in charge of how much the buildings would cost to make, how much it would cost to upkeep, and how it would benefit the city financially.
2. Research: With the links provided below in the Resources section, each team member will research their role and find information relevant to their roles, taking notes as they go.
3. Decide: After your research, meet back up as a team and decide which two renewable energy sources you will be recommending based off of your area and the needs of Eco-City.
4. Compile your work: Take the notes you took and turn them into your project, making sure to include aspects from each profession and making sure it is easy to follow and compelling for the reader.
5. Evaluate: Evaluate your work using the Evaluation Rubric below.
Evaluation
Evaluation
Your proposal will be graded out of 16 points according to the following rubric:
|
Criteria |
Developing (1 pt) |
Proficient (2 pts) |
Advanced (3 pts) |
Exemplary (4 pts) |
|
Scientific Accuracy |
Major factual errors regarding how renewable energy works |
Basic facts about the science are correct, but lacks depth |
Explanation clearly explains how both technologies work; includes appropriate scientific terms |
Explanation includes exceptional depth of understanding about how the technologies work and relate to Eco-City's geography |
|
Role Integration |
Team members did not connect their specific roles into the project |
Only 1 or 2 roles are evident in the project |
All 3 roles (Science, Engineering, Finance) are evident in the project |
The project seamlessly synthesizes the 3 roles into an exceptional professional pitch |
|
Visual & Presentation |
Disorganized and/or text-heavy; difficult to follow |
Fair layout, but lacks effective use of visuals or anchor points |
Clean layout with helpful visual elements and clear presentation of data |
Exceptionally creative and organized; eye-catching and easy-to-read |
|
Critical Thinking |
Only considers pros of the given energy type |
Mentions some cons, but doesn't offer any solutions |
Offers balanced cost-benefit analysis of both energy types, providing solutions |
Offers an in-depth cost-benefit analysis, addressing the most common problems with potential solutions |
Conclusion
Congratulations! By completing the WebQuest, you were able to not only save Eco-City, but also you learned about the science, engineering, and financial aspects involved in the modern world of renewable energy.
As you look around your real world now, think about where your electricity is being generated right outside your window. What is one small step you and your family can take today to reduce your carbon footprint?