Unit 4 - Energy sources & resources and their environmental impact

Formative Task: Criteria D

Task: Energy Sources and Resources (GRASP)

Goal: Students will investigate and compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources to understand
their environmental impact and sustainability.

Role: You are a member of a local environmental organization tasked with conducting research on energy
sources and presenting your findings to the community.

Audience: Your audience includes community members, local policymakers, and environmental activists
interested in promoting sustainable energy practices.

Situation: Your community is exploring ways to reduce its carbon footprint and transition towards cleaner,
more sustainable energy sources. As part of this initiative, your organization has been assigned the task of
researching and evaluating different energy sources to inform decision-making.

Product: You will create two separate presentations, one on renewable energy sources and another on non-
renewable energy sources, each highlighting their respective advantages, disadvantages, and environmental
impacts. Your presentations should include visual aids, such as charts, graphs, and images, to support your
findings.

Procedure:

In group of two:

• Conduct research to gather information on various renewable and non-renewable energy sources,
including solar, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Analyze the environmental impact of each energy source, considering factors such as greenhouse gas
emissions, air and water pollution, habitat destruction, and resource depletion.
• Evaluate the sustainability of renewable and non-renewable energy sources based on their availability,
reliability, affordability, and long-term impact on ecosystems and human health.
• Create two separate presentations, one focusing on ONE renewable energy sources which you believe
is the best solution to our energy needs and the other on ONE non-renewable energy sources.
• Organize your presentations logically and use visual aids to enhance understanding.

Assessment:

Criteria D will be assessed based on the depth of analysis, critical evaluation, and clarity of presentation for
each energy source. Evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of renewable and non-renewable
energy sources, providing evidence-based arguments and recommendations for promoting sustainable energy
practices in the community.

For each presentation: read the following rubric to guide you to achieve a high score.
 Renewable Energy Presentation
Depth of Analysis:
• Limited understanding of renewable energy
sources and their environmental impact.
• Some analysis of renewable energy sources but
lacks depth and thoroughness.
• Adequate analysis of renewable energy sources,
demonstrating understanding of their
environmental impact.
• Comprehensive analysis of renewable energy
sources, providing detailed insights into their
environmental impact.
• Exceptional analysis of renewable energy
sources, offering insightful perspectives and
connections to real-world applications.
Critical Evaluation:
• Limited evaluation of the sustainability of
renewable energy sources.
• Some evaluation of the sustainability of
renewable energy sources but lacks critical
insight.
• Adequate evaluation of the sustainability of
renewable energy sources, identifying strengths
and weaknesses.
• Comprehensive evaluation of the sustainability of
renewable energy sources, considering multiple
factors and implications.
• Exceptional evaluation of the sustainability of
renewable energy sources, offering nuanced
perspectives and recommendations for
improvement.
Non-Renewable Energy Presentation
Depth of Analysis:
• Limited understanding of non-renewable energy
sources and their environmental impact.
• Some analysis of non-renewable energy sources
but lacks depth and thoroughness.
• Adequate analysis of non-renewable energy
sources, demonstrating understanding of their
environmental impact.
• Comprehensive analysis of non-renewable
energy sources, providing detailed insights into
their environmental impact.
• Exceptional analysis of non-renewable energy
sources, offering insightful perspectives and
connections to real-world applications.
Critical Evaluation:
• Limited evaluation of the sustainability of non-
renewable energy sources.
• Some evaluation of the sustainability of non-
renewable energy sources but lacks critical
insight.
• Adequate evaluation of the sustainability of non-
renewable energy sources, identifying strengths
and weaknesses.
• Comprehensive evaluation of the sustainability of
non-renewable energy sources, considering
multiple factors and implications.
• Exceptional evaluation of the sustainability of
non-renewable energy sources, offering nuanced
perspectives and recommendations for
improvement.
Criteria D assessment rubrics are:
level Level descriptor
0 The student does not reach a standard
identified by any of the descriptors below.
1-2 The student is able to, with limited success:
i. state the ways in which science is used to
address a specific problem or issue.
ii. state the implications of using science to
solve a specific problem or issue,
interacting with a factor
iii. apply scientific language to communicate
understanding.
iv. document sources.
3-4 The student is able to:
i. state the ways in which science is used to
address a specific problem or issue.
ii. state the implications of using science to
solve a specific problem or issue,
interacting with a factor
iii. sometimes apply scientific language to
communicate understanding.
iv. sometimes document sources correctly.
5-6 The student is able to:
i. outlines the ways in which science is used
to address a specific problem or
issue
ii. outline the implications of using science to
solve a specific problem or issue,
interacting with a factor
iii. usually apply scientific language to
communicate understanding clearly.
and precisely
iv. usually document sources correctly.
7-8 The student is able to:
i. summarizes the ways in which science is
applied and used to address a
specific problem or issue
ii. describe and summarize the implications of
using science and its application.
to solve a specific problem or issue,
interacting with a factor
iii. consistently apply scientific language to
communicate understanding.
clearly and precisely
iv. document sources completely.
Task-specific clarification
The student does not reach a standard identified by any
of the descriptors below.
You were able to:
i. Provide a basic outline of renewable and non-
renewable energy sources, highlighting their
characteristics and applications.
ii. Briefly outline the implications of using renewable and
non-renewable energy sources, considering at least
one environmental or social factor.
iii. Attempt to use scientific language to communicate
understanding, although with limited success.
iv. Attempt to document sources, with limited success.
You were able to:
i. Summarize the characteristics and applications of
renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
ii. Describe the implications of using renewable and non-
renewable energy sources, considering environmental,
social, and economic factors.
iii. Sometimes apply scientific language to communicate
understanding.
iv. Sometimes document sources correctly.
You were able to:
i. Describe in detail the characteristics, applications, and
potential benefits of renewable and non-renewable
energy sources.
ii. Discuss the implications of using renewable and non-
renewable energy sources, considering environmental,
social, and economic factors in depth.
iii. Usually apply scientific language to communicate
understanding clearly and precisely.
iv. Usually, document sources correctly.
You were able to:
i. Explain comprehensively the characteristics,
applications, and potential benefits of renewable and
non-renewable energy sources.
ii. Discuss and evaluate the implications of using
renewable and non-renewable energy sources,
considering environmental, social, and economic
factors thoroughly.
iii. Consistently apply scientific language to communicate
understanding clearly and precisely.
iv. Document sources completely.