The Quest for

Renewable Energy
By Claire Freeman

Content Standard
Evaluate or refine a technological solution that
reduces impacts of human activities on natural
systems (California Department of Education,
Proposed Californias Next Generation Science
Standards (NGSS) for K-12 Grades Nine through
Twelve).
Photo: Alamy
The Quest for
Renewable Energy
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Introduction
You are a member of a highly trained research team. Your
goal is to select one renewable energy source to reduce
Americas dependence on fossil fuels. You must select
one renewable energy source, and convince a panel of
investors that this source is the best way to reduce fossil
fuel dependence. Your team mates will each select the
source that they believe is best, and will compete against
you for funding. You may choose between wind, solar,
biomass, nuclear, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy
sources.
Task
Use the internet and library to research your selected
renewable energy source. Make sure to use reliable
sources. Ask questions if you are not sure that your
source is reliable.
Develop a convincing argument in favor of your selected
alternative renewable energy source. Remember to
consider counter-arguments and address these in your
presentation.
Design a visual to aid your presentation. This can be a
PowerPoint, poster, video, or Prezi.
Process
In addition to locating your own information regarding your
selected energy resource, you may make use of the following
online resources to help you develop your argument.
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.nei.org/
http://energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/renewable-
energy/solar
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-
warming/solar-power-profile/
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/geothermal-
energy
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html
http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/biomass.html
Please select two additional resources from the school library or a
public library to contribute to your presentation.
Evaluation
Excellent (5 Points) Good (4 Points) Acceptable
(3 Points)
Poor (2 Points)
Presentation Presentation is contains
no filler words, is
audible and well
prepared. Presenter may
utilize notecards. Practice
is evident.
Presentation may
contain one or two
filler words.
Practice is apparent.
Presenters use of
notecards or other
aids distracts
minimally from the
presentation.
Presentation
contains filler
words, but they do
not distract from the
message of the
presentation.
Presenter does not
appear to have
practiced their
presentation.
Presenter uses
many filler words,
which distract from
the message.
Presenter did not
practice and does
not have notecards.
Evidence Presenter includes
evidence from at least six
sources. Presentation is
convincing and considers
counter-arguments..
Presenter includes
evidence from four
to five sources.
Presentation is
convincing and
considers counter-
arguments.
Presenter includes
evidence from three
sources. Counter-
arguments receive
little-no attention.
Presenter includes
evidence from two or
fewer sources.
Counter-arguments
are not considered.
Visual Visual aid is well
organized, clear, and
adds to the presentation.
Visual aid is well
organized and clear.
Visual aid is
organized but
contains errors.
Visual aid is
disorganized and
poorly presented.
May not align with
presentation.
Conclusion
Write a one paragraph response to this
question:

With all of these renewable energy sources available, why are we
still so dependent on fossil fuels?

After this WebQuest, you will know about the different types of
renewable energy, their pros and cons, and the obstacles that prevent
us from abandoning fossil fuels altogether.

You will also be able to inform your friends and family about
alternatives to fossil fuels!
Image Credit: Grinning Planet