Alternative Energy Project

Name____________________________________Date_______
Group:______________ _________________ _______________
Introduction
I need your help in solving a national crisis! Since we are running out of Fossil
Fuels, YOUR generation will be greatly affected by this growing energy crisis.
Since you are our country's future leaders, I am turning to you to tell me what you think are the best
alternative forms of energy our nation should consider. Remember----along with me, your entire
country is depending on you!
Sincerely,
The President of the United States of America and the
United States Department of Energy

Task
You will be assigned to a newly created Presidential Task Force. You need to investigate ONE
source of energy: Fossil Fuels, Hydro-Power & Ocean, Biomass, Solar, Nuclear, Wind, or
Geothermal.
Each PERSON will have to:

RESEARCH your energy source using the

Alternative Energy Worksheet
MEET as a group and come to an agreement about
the best information to use for your presentation

Each TASK FORCE will have to:

CREATE a poster to show the President of
the United States.
PRESENT your research and then make a
recommendation to the president.

Conclusion

You will be presenting your findings to the

President and his Energy Council. Based on your research and presentation, they will be
determining which form of alternative energy will serve the people of this country.
The students in class will listen to all the presentations and vote on which form of energy
they think should be adopted. The council will take this vote into consideration when
making their decision.
EACH student will be graded using the scoring rubric
1

Alternative Energy Project Research Sheet

1. a. What is the source
of your type of energy ?

Solar Hydropower

Geothermal Wind

Biofuel

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b. Define/Describe your
form of energy

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2. Is it renewable or nonRenewable
Non-renewable
renewable?
3. Labeled Diagram: How this energy is transformed from the Sun to Electricity

4. Advantages and Disadvantages:

What are 3 advantages (benefits) of
this source of energy?

What are 3 disadvantages (drawbacks) of

this source of energy?

5. Cost and Figures

a. Percent of Energy
produced by this form of
Energy in the USA?
b. Total Cost :
c. Cost per Kilowatt Hour :
(kWh)
6. Availability:
Where can you get this
type of energy in the USA?
And how can it be
distributed to other parts
of the country?

7. Technology: What
technology do you need to
harness and distribute this
form of energy?

8. USE: a. Can this type of

energy be used by people
in their homes or by our
school right now?
b. Could this form of
energy be used for
transportation (ex. To fuel
a car, bus, train?)
Extra: Compared to other
countries, how is the US
doing in producing your
form of energy?
Your Opinion
9. Explain in detail, your personal opinion of what you think about the use of this
form of energy and whether or not it would be worth using instead of fossil fuels for
The United States and other countries.
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10. Bibliography of Resources

As you use websites ,
readings, and videos to
do research, record
where you got your
information. Good
sources make a good
research project.

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Your Poster Must Include:

1. A Title: Your Form of Energy or a Creative title including your energy (Your Names)
2.Description of your form of Energy AND Is it Renewable or Non-renewable?
3. a. A labeled diagram of how the Energy is transformed from the Sun into Electricity.
b. And at least 2 more Pictures of your form of Energy (Hand drawn or printed)
4. Advantages and Disadvantages of your type of Energy (this can include info from
#7 & 8) This should be in the form of a T chart.
5. Costs and Figures (a b and c)
6. Availability: Where can you get this form of energy? (USA Map)
7. It must be colorful and interesting to look at.

Plan your Poster:

Alternative Energy Evaluation Rubric

Evaluation Item

Cooperatively works
as a Team Member

Beginning
(Fair)
Cooperation minimal
Takes little responsibility
for completion of project
and assigned role. Has
conflicts with peers.
4 points

Quality of answers to Answers to 1 to 3

the Alternative
questions are supported
Energy Worksheet
by pertinent information

Quality of Poster

Overall Quality of
Final Presentation

Developing
(Good)
Partial Cooperation
Takes some
responsibility for
completion of project
and assigned role. Has
some difficulty getting
along with peers.
6 points

Accomplished
(Great)

Exemplary
(Outstanding)

Cooperates and
Takes responsibility for
completion of project
and assigned
role. Generally, able to
get along with peers.

Total Cooperation
Taking exemplary
responsibility for
completion of project
and assigned role. Able
to get along with peers.

8 points

10 points

5 points

Answers to all 10
Answers to 4 to 6
Answers to 7 to 9
questions are supported questions are supported questions are supported
by pertinent information by pertinent information by pertinent information
and resources are
recorded
10 points
15 points
20 points

Information is not
presented with enough
details or information for
chosen energy
source. Poster falls apart,
has little use of color or a
great deal of white space.
Lacking specific parts.
5 points

Information is
supported by limited
information about for
chosen energy source.
Poster does not look put
together or as though
care was taken to make
it appealing
10 points

Information is
supported with enough
facts for chosen energy
source. Poster is
interesting to look at
and informative.

Presentation does not hold

interest of audience and is
less appealing.
4 point

Presentation is
attractive and holds
minimal interest of
audience.
6 points

Presentation is
attractive and holds
moderate interest of
audience.
8 points

15 points

Score

Information is strongly

supported by facts for

chosen energy source.
Images and choice of
placement make the
poster engaging and
meaningful.
20 points

Presentation is
attractive and holds
high interest of
audience.
10 points

Total Score: _____________ / 60 pts = ____________

Letter Grade: _________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________________