Teacher's Corner |
The City Council Energy Debate is a student-centered
learning activity. Students work in cooperative groups - each
representing a certain type of energy technology. Each group will
try to convince the "City Council" to build an electric
power plant that uses their type of energy technology. A
community group should take a "no growth" approach and
will try to convince the council that a new plant is unnecessary. Each group creates a company name, logo and slogan (for
example, hydroelectric power company could be "WaterWorks,
Inc." with a slogan of "Dam, We're Good!") Students will gather information using Internet resources for
presentations and debate. See Student Activity Page. To add realism to the event: PART 1: Team ResearchEach group researches their energy
technology type using Internet and other resources. Groups
collaborate to create a collective position.Prepare press
releases, environmental impact statements, visuals, etc.Rehearse
presentations. PART 2: City Council MeetingEach group presents their
energy technology plan. (Hint: Set a time limit.)Allow time for
questions.Idle groups should be taking notes on their competitor's
presentations to prepare for the debate. PART 3: Debate
STANDARDS
This lesson addresses the following California Science Content
Standards. Grade 3 4a: The sun is the major source of energy
for phenomena on the Earth's surface, powering winds, ocean
currents, and the water cycle. 6a: The utility of energy sources is
determined by factors that are involved in converting these
sources to useful forms and the consequences of the
conversion process. 6b: Different natural energy and material
resources, including air, soil, rocks, minerals, petroleum,
fresh water, wildlife, and forests, and classify them as
renewable or nonrenewable. 7b: Select and use appropriate tools and technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, and binoculars) to perform tests, collect data, and display data. 7d: Communicate the steps and results from an investigation in written reports and verbal presentations.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, students in grades 9 - 12 should be able to accomplish the following:
Goals
Objectives
BACKGROUND
(1) hold the city council meeting in the library or some place
other than your classroom
(2) encourage students to "dress the part"
(3) invite faculty, administrators, parents and the community to
observe the meeting --they ask great questions and can help you
evaluate the students!
Don't forget to set ground rules! (Example: "No name-calling";"When
one person has the floor,others are not to talk")Each group
will briefly restate why they are the best choice and others are
not.Rebuttals. All groups are expected to defend attacks against
their company.
Life, Earth, & Physical
Sciences
Investigation &
Experimentation