Alternative Energy Research Project
The United States has a goal of having 25% of its energy come from renewable energy sources by the year 2025! There are many companies across the country working to make this happen by investing in wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass/biofuels. By increasing the amount of energy we produce from renewable resources, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels!
You and your group are part of a start-up company for ONE alternative energy resource. You must research this energy resource and present it to the class (your investors!) You must convince your investors of the benefits of your resource and be prepared to answer questions about potential drawbacks (the negative) related to your resource.
You and your group are part of a start-up company for ONE alternative energy resource. You must research this energy resource and present it to the class (your investors!) You must convince your investors of the benefits of your resource and be prepared to answer questions about potential drawbacks (the negative) related to your resource.
Assignments
You and your table group will:
- Choose ONE alternative energy resource to research.
- Using the below websites, your textbook and other resources, research about the positives and negatives related to your energy resource.
- Develop a presentation to share your report in PowerPoint, Prezi or you may create a poster.
Task
Be sure to include the following about your alternative energy resource in your report and presentation:
- What is it?
- How is it used?
- Where is it used?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the drawbacks?
- What does it look like?
Websites
Energy Kids
Alliant Energy Kids
Energy Quest
State Energy Conservation Office
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
USGS Water Science for Schools
25 x '25 America's Energy Future
Renewable Energy Sources
Alliant Energy Kids
Energy Quest
State Energy Conservation Office
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
USGS Water Science for Schools
25 x '25 America's Energy Future
Renewable Energy Sources
Evaluation
You will be evaluated on a combination of individual and team objectives. Each team member will be given an individual grade for the overall project. Be sure to complete all assignments and tasks and include all important information in your final report/presentation. You will also be asked to connect your learning by answering the following questions:
Click HERE to see the final report/presentation rubric.
- What are some sources of energy that are used to generate electricity?
- What are some of the alternative energy resources being explored?
- After hearing all the presentations, which alternative energy resource would you invest in if you could? Why?
- What source(s) of alternative energy do you think are best for our location? Why?
- What are you wondering now?
Click HERE to see the final report/presentation rubric.