December 6-10

Dear Students:
This week we will continue to learn fascinating facts about Fossil fuels and Alternative Energy Resources. You will explore the different options that could be used instead of fossil fuels. We continue to work in our project as well as in the differentiated methods to present this topic.



Important dates to keep in mind:

December 14 Work pack Due
December 14 Project Due
December 15 Test chapter 11

Please make sure your binder is kept organized and that your textbook is covered.

Project Guidelines:


In order to create an "Alternative Energy Resource" poster for your class, you will need to select an energy resource that is not commonly used (no fossil fuels) and then seek information about the resource you select using books, magazine articles, web resources, encyclopedias, et cetera. This pathfinder will guide you to the materials that will help you to become knowledgeable about the energy resource you chose and prepare you to design and create a poster or a model or an essay displaying the information you learn.
http://gms.goshenschools.org/departments/media/energy.html#Websites
You will then use this poster to educate your classmates. Be thoughtful as you look through information and organize your thoughts well.
Books will be wonderful resources for your project. Because you will want very up-to-date information, you will want to first look for resources published after 2000. Even then, you will find that some information found in a book published in 2001 will be out-of-date already. It is important for you to access a variety of resources with a variety of publication dates. With a research topic like this, you will find electronic resources to be very useful. Online databases and websites can provide you with the most current information available. The resources available in this pathfinder were selected because they are current, informative, and reputable. This list does not include all the good resources available, but it will lead you to a good variety of information and diverse sources that will help you produce a quality project.
As you begin, it is good to understand the purpose of exploring alternative energy resources. Alternative energy resources are "derived from nontraditional sources or sources that are renewable and do not deplete finite mineral resources. The majority of countries are heavily dependent on fossil fuels as sources of energy, but with the decline in reserves and contribution made to the enhanced greenhouse effect by releases of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion, alternative energy sources are being increasingly used and developed. Examples include wind power, solar power, wave and tidal power, biomass energy , geothermal power, and hydroelectric power. World primary energy sources include only about 7% from renewable sources, most of which is hydroelectric." With 93% of our energy coming from non-renewable resources, it is important for us to look at renewable resources to protect and prepare for our future energy needs.
(Smith, Jacqueline. "alternative energy." The Dictionary of Weather and Climate. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2001. Facts On File, Inc. Science Online . .)


ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES