Proposal of Next Energy Revolution:
From the Industrial Revolution to the Present
Eighth Grade STEM Project
Focus Question: As America shifts from fossil fuels to renewable resources, many questions arise. How
is America going to respond to scarcity of resources? What is the best alternative means for sustaining
energy needs in the USA?
Your Role: You must examine the history of energy use in the United States from the Industrial
Revolution to the present and decide the best course for America’s future plan of energy use. In your
endeavors, you will create a realistic plan and you will present your idea and findings to the United States
Congress in the hope that they will adopt your plan for the whole country.
Overall Criteria for your Energy Plan:
 Examine the history of general energy use in the United States since the Industrial Revolution in
the 1800s
 Predict the next major form of energy in the United States
 Outline the history behind that energy source
 Create a proposal detailing how that energy source will benefit America and how it will be used
throughout the country
Your Energy Choices:
 Wind
 Solar
 Geothermal
 Nuclear
 Hydroelectric
 Biofuels
Student Products:
Proposal Requirements for ALL projects:
 Research of history of your energy source
 Benefits of your energy source
 Changes to society caused by your energy source (with examples)
 Potential problems associated with the use of your energy source
Students may pick from three options for their proposal (pick only one):
(1) Research summary with written proposal
 Research summary should be 2 pages and should include research of America’s energy use
throughout history and the research of your proposed energy source
 Written proposal should be 1-2 pages
 4-6 sources cited using MLA citations
 4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation that is meant to persuade
your class (“Congress”) to support your energy source.
(2) Tri-fold display of proposal with research, text, and images
 4-6 sources using MLA citations
 4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation with a visual aid (tri-fold
poster) that is meant to persuade your class (“Congress”) to support your energy source.
 All group members must participate in presentation
 4-6 sources using MLA citations
(3) PowerPoint presentation of proposal with research, text, and images
 5-10 Slides
 4-5 minute Persuasive Presentation: You will give an oral presentation with a visual aid
(PowerPoint presentation) that is meant to persuade your class (“Congress”) to support your
energy source.
 All group members must participate in presentation
 4-6 sources using MLA citations
 PowerPoint presentations should be saved on a flash-drive
Debate: Students will lead a debate in the mock Congress following their presentation on the
effectiveness of their energy proposal.
 A committee of your classmates will vote on the most viable or effective energy source proposal.
Groups:
 Students may work independently or in groups of 2-3
 Groups must be pre-approved by the student’s social studies teacher
Schedule for Project Completion:
 Students will be given 3 days to complete research and project preparation in the computer lab
 Students will present in class the day following the research period
Team Name(s)_________________________________________________________________
Research
Benefits
Changes
Problems
Presentation:
Power of
Persuasion
Distinguished
4
Highly detailed
information based
on how technology
was developed:
addresses the
purpose, inventor,
and 5 W’s.
Gives sophisticated
explanation on how
advancements in
energy are beneficial
to society.
Provides more than
2 examples to show
how advancements
in energy make
societal changes
with a rationale for
each example.
Identifies more than
three problems
regarding how
advancements
negatively impact
society. Team is
able to thoroughly
explain the negative
impact and who is
effected.
Sophisticated use of
propaganda
techniques to
persuade audience.
Total Points Earned:__________/20
Feedback:
Next Energy Revolution
Accomplished
Proficient
3
2
Sufficient information Gives limited
based on how
information based on
technology was
how technology was
developed:
developed:
addresses the
addresses the
purpose, inventor,
purpose, inventor,
and 5 W’s.
and 5 W’s.
Gives clear
Gives limited
understanding on
examples showing
how advancements
how advancements in
in energy are
energy are beneficial
beneficial to society. to society.
Provides at least 2
examples to show
how advancements
in energy make
societal changes
with a rationale for
each example.
Identifies at least
three problems
regarding how
advancements
negatively impact
society. Team
clearly
communicates how
the impact is
negative and who is
effected.
Effectively uses
propaganda
techniques to
persuade audience .
Provides 1 example
that shows how
advancements in
energy make societal
changes with a
rationale for the
example.
Identifies 2 or less
problems regarding
how advancements
negatively impact
society. Team is
unable to clearly
communicate the
negative impact on
others.
Attempted to use
propaganda
techniques to
persuade audience.
Developing
1
Gives little to no
information based on
how technology was
developed: addresses
inventors, gives partial
information to support
understanding
Attempts to explain
the advancements in
energy and how they
benefit society but
lacks a clear
understanding.
Fails to provide a clear
example that shows
how advancements in
energy make societal
changes. No rationale
provided.
Fails to identify any
problem regarding
how advancements
negatively impact
society.
No propaganda
techniques used.
Name ________________________________
Self-Analysis of 21st Century Learning Skills
Distinguished
Accomplished
Proficient
4
3
2
Creativity
Demonstrates high
Demonstrates
Demonstrates some
level of creativity in
creativity and
creativity but lacks
solution and
original thought in
original ideas and
presentation.
solution and
thoughts.
presentation.
Collaboration
I contributed to my
I contributed to my
I worked well with
team as a leader.
team in a positive
my team members
and helpful way
and contributed
(sharing ideas,
when asked. I was
respecting others)
able to comprise
and find common
ground when we
disagreed.
Communication
I was able to clearly
I was able to clearly
I was able to
communicate ideas
communicate ideas
communicate my
in both written and
in both written and
ideas clearly to my
oral form. My
oral form.
teammates. My
communication led
conversations were
to the overall
on task and
effectiveness of the
productive to the
presentation.
group.
Innovation
I was able to create
I was able to take
I was able to
a new solution that
existing ideas and
understand existing
does not exist and
expand on them to
ideas began
addresses the
make
brainstorm ways to
problem.
improvements.
make
Improved solutions
improvements. No
were presented to
new solutions were
my team.
presented to my
team.
Critical Thinking & I was able to
I was able to
I was able to explain
Problem Solving
evaluate an effective evaluate an effective an effective solution
solution to
solution to
to renewable
renewable energy
renewable energy.
energy.
and make
judgments on the
impact for society.
Use of
I used a new form of My use and
I contributed to the
Technology
technology to
contributions of
use of technology
present ideas and
technology
but my participation
effectively
enhanced the
was little.
demonstrated
presentation. I
knowledge of new
learned something
technology skills.
new in technology.
What was your weakest area? Why?
What factors contributed to the overall success of the project? Why?
Developing
1
Lacks any creativity and
original thought.
I had a difficult time
getting along with my
teammates. We could
not agree and work well
together.
I struggled to
communicate my ideas
clearly to my
teammates.
I was not able to create
any new solutions due
to lack of understanding
existing ideas.
I was able to identify an
effective solution to
renewable energy.
I am not very good at
using technology to
present ideas.