Year 8 HSIE

 

Context area: Global Geographic Issues

 

Alternative Energy Assignment

 

 

Length: 4-6 minute presentation.            Marks / value: 30% of course mark.    Date due: Week 3/4, Term 2.

 

Purpose of this assignment:

The extensive use of fossil fuels in recent decades has changed the whole world’s environment and atmosphere. The purpose of this assignment is to raise your knowledge of the alternative fuels available and to give you experience in developing an information session about one of these alternatives to inform others in the class.

 

Outcomes assessed:

4.1 Identifies and gathers geographical information.

4.2 Organises and interprets geographical information.

4.3 Uses a range of written, oral and graphic forms to communicate geographical knowledge.

4.4 Uses a range of geographic tools.

 

Task:

You will be assigned a topic to research. You must work as part of a team to assemble information to be presented both orally and visually. Develop a presentation that educates your fellow students about your topic.

 

Special instructions: The presentation is to be developed in groups of 3-4 students. Each group member must participate in both the research and the presentation. Marks will be awarded for individual and group performance. If the group fails to produce an adequate presentation the members will be required to submit a written information report on the topic.

 

 

ASSIGNMENT PLANNER

Define the Task

The renewable/alternative forms of energy are:

·         Solar thermal

·        Photovoltaics

·        Micro-hydro

·        Ocean -both wave and tidal power

·         Biomass/biofuels

·         Geothermal

·         Nuclear

·         Wind                

 

 

Steps to follow:

 

Locate Information          

Look in the Reference section for information on alternative/renewable energy. The general encyclopedias and the Science and Technology encyclopedias will be useful.

Use the Library catalogue to find information in the Non-Fiction section or browse the 330's shelves for books on alternative/renewable energy and for books on environmental issues. The Issues in Society section will also be helpful.

The Periodicals section has magazines like National Geographic, Australian Geographic, ECOS and New Scientist. If you would like to find some recent newspaper/journal articles try the Electric Library link on the Library web site – see the Librarians for the password. Use the websites listed at the end of this sheet and use the search engine links on the Library web site.

Select and Analyse

Start with a broad search for alternative/renewable energy, but once you have a basic understanding of your topic focus on specific information. You will need text, explanatory diagrams, pictures, graphs, statistics etc. to support your argument.

 

Organise and Synthesise

Break your topic down into the main parts and key issues. Build an information session that clearly explains how this type of energy works, gives a brief history of its development (if possible), examines the key issues and that looks at advantage and disadvantages where applicable.

 

Create and Present

Your group information session is to be presented as a PowerPoint presentation.  Each group member must play a significant role in the presentation. You may make a working model or create a video, PowerPoint display, animation or other visual/electronic display. Use clear, well-labeled diagrams, animations, cartoons, photos and other visual material where appropriate.

 

Evaluate and Reflect

A good presentation will clearly explain how this particular type of energy works. The presentation will be a well-organised, thorough examination of the key issues. It will be presented in a thoughtful, interesting way and will be supported by research. A well-prepared group will be able to fully answer questions put to the group after their presentation.

 

Web Links

http://www.homepower.com/

http://alt-e.blogspot.com/

http://www.alternate-energy.net/

http://home.altenergystore.com/

http://www.webdirectory.com/Science/Energy/Alternative_Energy

http://www.envirotalk.com.au/forum/index.php?showforum=51

http://www.cat.org.uk/information/information.tmpl?sku=info_is

http://www.ees.adelaide.edu.au/pharris/biogas/beginners.html

 

Marking guideline

OUTCOME

EXPERIENCING

DIFFICULTY

DEVELOPING

COMPETENT

HIGHLY

COMPETENT

ADVANCED

Presentation

Little/no use of visual media.

Speech hard to hear.              /2

Reasonable attempt at using a visual medium. Speech difficult to hear at times                  /4

Good use of one or two visual media. Clear speech.         /6

Creative use of one or more visual media. Clear speech with varied tone and pace.         /8

 

Very polished presentation. Command of visual media used. Clear speech with varied tone and pace.     /10

Communicates

findings

Insufficient information about the topic.           /2

Limited information about most aspects of the topic. /4

Relevant information about most aspects of the topic. /6

Relevant and reasonably detailed information about all aspects of the topic.  /8

Relevant and highly detailed information about all aspects of the topic.  /10

Selects and organises material

Very limited use of resources. No evidence of planning.         /1

Limited use of resources. Haphazard organisation of material. /2

Use of a number of resources. Material well organised.     /3

Use of a range and variety of types of resources. Material organised and presented in a logical, sequential manner. /4

Use of a wide range and variety of resources. Very well planned and organised.  /5

Contributes to group

Limited contribution.  /1

Contributes to some aspects.   /2

Contributes to most aspects.  /3

Contributes to all aspects. /4

Excellent contribution to all aspects. /5