Clean Energy, Green Future: Powering Digos City Sustainably

Introduction

  • Title: Clean Energy, Green Future: Powering Digos City Sustainably
  • Target Audience: High School / Senior High School Students (Science, Technology, and Society / Environmental Science)
  • Subject: Environmental Science & Sustainable Development
  • Topic: Evaluating Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Energy Sources for Local Community Application

1. Introduction

Goal: Capture student attention and set the real-world scenario.

Welcome, Environmental Consultants!

Our city is growing rapidly, and with growth comes an increasing demand for reliable energy. However, rely heavily on traditional energy sources, and we risk polluting our air, water, and environment. As future leaders and decision-makers, you have been appointed to an advisory panel tasked with presenting a sustainable energy strategy for our local community.

Is solar, hydro, biomass, or wind energy the best solution for Digos City and Davao del Sur? How can we balance economic costs with environmental safety?

Your team’s mission is to investigate various renewable energy options, evaluate their feasibility, and present a compelling recommendation to local stakeholders. The future energy grid of our city is in your hands!

 

Task

Goal: Clearly describe the final product.

Working in groups of 4, your task is to research renewable energy technologies and develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan.

Your team will produce two deliverables:

  1. A Digital Slide Presentation (or Canva Pitch Deck) (8–10 slides) proposing the top renewable energy source suitable for our local region, detailing its benefits, potential environmental impact, initial setup considerations, and long-term community advantages.
  2. A 3-Minute Oral Pitch explaining your choice and addressing potential challenges (e.g., cost, land use, weather reliance).

Process

Goal: Provide step-by-step instructions and assign roles.

Step 1: Assign Roles (Groups of 4)

Each member of your team will take on a specific role:

  • 🔬 Environmental Scientist: Focuses on environmental impact, carbon footprint reduction, and ecosystem safety.
  • ⚙️ Energy Engineer: Focuses on technology mechanics, infrastructure efficiency, and site selection requirements.
  • 💰 Financial & Economic Analyst: Evaluates estimated setup costs, long-term savings, and community economic benefits.
  • 📢 Community Advocate & Team Lead: Focuses on public acceptance, policy integration, presentation structure, and coordinating the team.

Step 2: Research & Investigation

Use the provided resources (in the Resources section) to gather data about 4 main renewable sources: Solar, Hydroelectric, Biomass, and Wind Energy. Focus on local climate, geography, and availability in Mindanao / Davao Region.

Step 3: Group Discussion & Decision

Meet as a team to compare notes. Choose ONE primary renewable energy source that offers the best balance of feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability for our city.

Step 4: Create the Presentation

Draft your slide deck ensuring it includes:

  • Slide 1: Title & Team Member Roles
  • Slide 2: Current Energy Challenges in Our Region
  • Slide 3: Proposed Renewable Solution & How It Works
  • Slide 4: Environmental & Ecological Benefits
  • Slide 5: Economic & Financial Feasibility
  • Slide 6: Potential Implementation Challenges & Solutions
  • Slide 7: Action Plan Timeline for Local Rollout
  • Slide 8: Conclusion & Call to Action

4. Resources

Goal: Curate reliable web links and references for research.

Use the following links to conduct your research:

Evaluation

Criteria Developing (1 pt) Proficient (3 pts) Accomplished (5 pts) Score
Research & Content Accuracy Minimal research; data is incomplete or inaccurate. Accurate information gathered with minor gaps in local relevance. Thorough, accurate research clearly linked to local geography and energy needs. /5
Role Collaboration Roles were poorly executed or unequal work distribution. Group members fulfilled roles adequately; good teamwork. Clear role division, seamless integration of perspective (science, engineering, finance, advocacy). /5
Presentation Quality & Visuals Unorganized slides; text-heavy; lacking visuals or clarity. Well-structured slides; clear text and appropriate visuals. Highly engaging, professional presentation with effective visuals and clean formatting. /5
Oral Pitch & Argumentation Presentation was disorganized; unable to defend choice. Clear presentation; adequately answered questions regarding feasibility. Compelling, persuasive pitch with strong defense of environmental and economic trade-offs. /5

Conclusion

Goal: Summarize learning and promote reflection.

Congratulations, Consultants! You have completed your inquiry into clean energy solutions for our community.

Through this WebQuest, you have not only learned about the technical and scientific aspects of renewable energy, but also experienced the complex decision-making involved in environmental planning, resource allocation, and civic advocacy.

Reflection Questions to Consider:

  1. What was the biggest trade-off your team had to make when selecting an energy source?
  2. How can individual households adopt daily energy conservation habits while waiting for larger renewable energy infrastructure?