Alternative Energy Sources

TASK:5 steps:  1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5    Online Resources   /  Final Product

    Procedure : find information on your energy source by following steps one through 5; take notes each step of the way; use your notes to create a final product, which will be a paper which will either support or oppose using your alternative energy source.

1st - Choose one of the following energy sources:

	Alcohol based fuels / E-85
	Wind power
	Nuclear power
	Tidal power

Follow the steps listed on SIRS Leading Issues handout.  The first step is to Develop Basic Knowledge

1. What is Alternative Energy?  Begin your project by reading an overview from SIRS.  Click on      Alternative Energy Sources on the front page listed as a Leading Issue

2. Description telling how this energy source is produced

AccessScience from MARVEL

	get the dictionary definition of your fuel source
	read the encyclopedia article about your fuel source

3. Are there risks to humans or wildlife in the production of this type of energy?

• Look at an article from Portland Press Herald from Maine NewsStand in MARVEL

• Follow the example below and search for disadvantages / risks associated with your energy solution

• Take notes and list what you have found

Environment Complete from MARVEL

    Create a search by clicking on "Full-Text" box and using your search terms:

    Example: 

       ***Note:  for Tidal Power use MAINE NEWSSTAND from MARVEL - you will discover a tidal power site in Down East Maine.        

4. Is your alternative energy source cost effective?  Now that you have explored in MARVEL and in SIRS, use your search terms as you did in #3 and find out what experts are saying about your fuel source.  You should have already read about the cost in the articles and encyclopedia entry.

5. Based on everything you have read, create a graph listing the pros and cons of your alternative energy source.  See SIRS to help you record your findings. ***Understand differences of opinion!

	Click on the Pro/Con tab in SIRS and read the viewpoint articles for both sides.  Take note of what is really fact and what is opinion.
	Keep the handout from SIRS close by so that you can follow their suggestions on forming your own opinion about your alternative fuel source.
	Create your graph in Word using the Table Option.

SIRS Knowledge Source : you will need a library business card for the username/password (note that home access is a different code)

• Choose Alternative Energy Resources from the list of Leading Issues

• The first thing you will see is an overview listing key words for searching and 696 resources coming from magazines, newspapers, primary sources, government documents, viewpoints, reference, graphics, and websites. 

• Check the box to save articles throughout your search

• Click on the Pro/Con tab to see articles from both sides of the issue

• My Analysis tab will allow you to formulate your thoughts and your information into a coherent paper.

• Key word listings will help you to narrow your research to one form of energy

MARVEL AccessScience Reference Resources : you will need a library business card for home access the first time

• Typing alternative energy into the search box will return 20 different subject headings to pursue.

• If you click on Search Options, you can search your keywords by topic.  Your topic encompasses several on the list: Agriculture, forestry & soils, Earth science, Engineering & materials, Environmental science.

• In addition to excellent reference articles, you will find news and sometimes a research update.

MARVEL : This time select Environment & Ecology from the Subject Heading List. The following resources will have full-text articles from different magazines & newspapers.

• GreenFILE provides information on all aspects of human impact to the environment, including such subjects as global climate change, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and recycling. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on the environmental effects of individuals, corporations and local/national governments.

• Nature  - International journal publishing original, groundbreaking research spanning all of the scientific disciplines. Full-text available from January 1997-Present.

    Final Product:

Now, it is time to make up your own mind!  Using your notes and your chart of pros and cons, create a paper which will follow step #4 on your SIRS Leading Issues handout:

Paragraph 1: Introduce your alternative energy source; give a definition; provide a sentence or two of factual information; end the paragraph stating your view to support or oppose this energy source. (see #2 above)

Paragraph 2: Provide information that will detail any risks with the energy source (see #3 in your steps above)

Paragraph 3: Provide information about the cost effectiveness of your energy source (see #4)

Paragraph 4: Provide any supporting facts from your research which would give your reader additional information to understand why you support or oppose your energy source.

Paragraph 5: A concluding paragraph which restates very strongly your opinion.  Make sure you have made good use of your pro/con table.