Hydraulic Fracturing – Community Debate – Teacher

Summary

Students take on roles as pro- and anti-hydraulic fracturing advocates, town council members, and moderators in a structured debate over a fictional drilling proposal near Brambleton. The activity builds evidence-based argumentation, perspective-taking, and trade-off analysis skills across economic, environmental, health, and social dimensions. Includes full teacher instructions, role assignments, a debate procedure, debrief prompts, and a three-level rubric. A strong fit for APES or any high school science course covering energy decision-making.