Research Project: Fossil Fuels

Introduction

Fossil fuels provide the energy for our highly technological lives: They power cars, the lights in our houses, refrigerator, stoves, washing machines, not to mention your video game consoles, cell phones, computers, and Netflix accounts. 

Fossil fuels are technically any type of hydro carbon that we burn for energy. Some common examples include: Petroleum, Coal, and Natural Gas. These different fuels formed in different environments are used in different ways, but they had all been in the making for millions of years, and we will eventually run out of them. Another problem is that fossil fuels contribute tremendously to climate change: Over 80 % of the greenhouse-gas emissions reported by Germany, for instance, occur via combustion of fossil fuels. The great majority of the emissions consist of carbon dioxide.

Task

As a small introductory task, please take the quiz developed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to find out how big your own environmental footprint is: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/ (You can ignore the UK-specifics in the quiz, the results will be significant nevertheless.) Please note which questions make reference, implicitly or explicitly, to the use of fossil fuels. Evaluate the importance of fossil fuels as represented by the quiz with your group and, finally, relate it to your own research. 

The goal for the main assignment is to conduct research in small groups on three different types of fossil fuels: Oil/Petroleum, Coal, and Natural Gas. You will choose one type of fossil fuel to investigate. Look into how it is formed, how we extract it, and its impact on the environment. 

To show your understanding of the topic, you will:

Write a 2-3 page research paper, doubled-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Include at least two sources with M.L.A. citations, and a works cited page. You have 90 minutes. 

Process

Today, you will work with a small group of 5 of your peers, and collaborate to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels. Use the suggested websites to support your ideas. You can of course use additional resources if you wish or need to. However, pay attention to who created the resources! What fossil fuel companies, for example, say about the respective fuel might not be reliable. 

Remember to use your own words, and provide evidence to support your claims. You might as well want to include statistics, graphs, or other data, but remember to always explain their purpose. 

Focus on the following sections in your research:

  • Formation of Fuel X
  • Importance and Uses of Fuel X 
  • Fuel X Reservoirs
  • People and Petroleum (e.g. Effects on Health)
  • Environmental Effects (e.g. Carbon Emissions)
  • Alternatives to Fuel X
  • Evaluation: Advantages and Disadvantages

1)  Oil/Petroleum

Check out the following websites:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/petroleum/

http://energy4me.org/all-about-energy/what-is-energy/energy-sources/petroleum/

https://www.britannica.com/science/petroleum

2) Coal

Here is a good resource:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/coal/

https://c03.apogee.net/contentplayer/?coursetype=kids&utilityid=pseg&id=16200 Just ignore the "kids corner," I know you all are grown up. The content is useful! 

https://www.britannica.com/science/coal-fossil-fuel

3) Natural Gas

These are useful websites:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/natural-gas/

https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-gas

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-natural-gas-formed

 

Evaluation

Paper

Possible Points

Awarded Points

Organization

How is the paper organized?  Does it flow nicely or are there abrupt changes?  Are different topics separated by paragraphs?

10

 

Plagiarism

Paper must be your own words, or no more than 10% cited quotes.  To receive the most points, there should be no directly copied sentences that are uncited.

10

 

Grammar/ Punctuation

Paper should use correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and writing rules.  

5

 

Tone/Style

Does the paper show a consistent writing style?  Are the paragraphs similar in structure?  The paper should be consistent throughout (i.e.  One paragraph is long and detailed while others are short and abrupt.)  This is the most unique part of the paper, showing how you write and your personal style. 

10

 

Introduction

Does the introduction show your thesis?  It should have enough detail to capture the reader’s interest and hint on what information you are going to share.

5

 

Conclusion

Does it wrap up your paper, reminding the reader of what they have been told?  

5

 

Use of Quotes (citation)

If you have included any quotes, are they correctly cited and included in your bibliography?  Or, you did not use any quotes.

5

 

Sub-total for Paper

50

 

Bibliography

 

 

Number of sources

Did you include at least 2 sources?

5

 

Appropriateness of sources

Were all your sources reputable and accurate? No Wikipedia, Google, Yahoo, etc.   

2

 

MLA/APA format

Your bibliography should be in either MLA or APA format. You will be marked down if you have simply included URL’s instead of an appropriate bibliography.

3

 

Sub-total for Bibliography

10

 

Sources

 

 

Printed and attached

Sources should all be printed and attached to your paper.  I should be able to find most of your information from your paper in a source.  

5

 

Highlighted

This paper requires you to highlight your sources, so you can easily find useful information.  I expect your sources to be highlighted with information that you used in your paper.  Not all highlighting needs to be included in the paper, but all information in your paper needs to be highlighted.

10

 

Sub-total for Sources

15

 

Outline

 

 

Organization

Your outline is your organization tool for your paper.  Each heading should be a different paragraph or sub-topic in your paper. I should be able to match your outline to your paper for details and organization.

15

 

Citation

Every fact in your outline should be cited.  If you have multiple facts for a topic from one source, you cite the topic.  Just remember, the reader should be able to easily move from your outline to the source where the fact was found

10

 

Sub-total for Outline

25

 

Sub-Total for all sections

100

 

Penalty

A late penalty of 10% per day late will be subtracted from your subtotal.

 

 

Final Grade

100
     

Conclusion

Your research paper will show your understanding of the subject matter. I will collect it at the end of the lesson and assess it soon.

Homework:

For the next lesson, prepare yourselves to present your findings to the class in a 15-minute presentation. Consider the use of media and tools to visualize your ideas (e.g. Mindmap, Padlet, PowerPoint, etc.). 

In the next class, we will also reflect on your writing processes: What have you learned about academic or scientific writing? What makes a good research paper? What have you learned about different websites and resources? 

You can always contact me if any questions or difficulties emerge. 

Credits

WebQuest partly adapted from: https://www.createwebquest.com/fossil-fuels