Introduction
As you go through the energy sources and match Energy Cards in the Pillar columns, fill out the evaluation grid below.
Energy Source Evaluation Chart
Place a check mark or an ☒ in each box to indicate your decision(s).
It’s okay if your conclusions are different from your teammates, as long as you can explain and justify your choice. When there are differences, make sure to discuss them with your teammates to see if you can reach an understanding or agreement.
| Energy Source | Affordable | Available | Reliable | Sustainable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | ||||
| Oil | ||||
| Natural Gas | ||||
| Solar | ||||
| Wind | ||||
| Hydro | ||||
| Nuclear | ||||
| Geothermal |
Independent Reflection Questions
Answer these questions independently from your teammates. After you complete the reflection questions, you will share your insights with your group, and put together a “Power Proposal” for your community.
- Now that you have evaluated the energy sources, choose what you consider to be the Top 3 Energy Sources for your community or geographic area. Share your reasoning for each energy source.
- Did any energy source meet all four pillars? Which pillar was the hardest for most sources to meet?
- Should cost always be the most important factor? Why or why not?
Team Community Power Proposal
- Get together with your teammates and share your Top 3 Energy Sources from the question above. Explain your reasoning and listen to theirs.
- Your job as a team is to draft a “Power Proposal” for your community, outlining an energy plan using anywhere from one to three major energy sources.
- On another sheet of paper, write a brief paragraph outlining your Power Proposal. Be prepared to pitch your proposal as a team to the rest of your class.
- Your teacher and/or classmates will vote on the energy plan that is the most realistic and thoughtful, with insightful arguments and reasoning.
Power Proposal Rubric
| Category | Excellent | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Use of the Four Pillars | Clearly applies all four pillars to each energy source in proposal decisions | Mentions the four pillars sporadically with little explanation |
| Reasoning and Evidence | Strong reasoning with clear examples and facts | Weak or missing reasoning with unclear examples and few facts |
| Clarity of Proposal | Proposal is well-organized and easy to understand | Hard to follow or unclear |
| Teamwork and Participation | All team members contribute and support the final idea | One or two members dominate, while others are not involved |