US Physics/Energy in Society: Home

Part A: Research and Analysis

Collate and hand in your research. As you are taking notes (bullet points or paragraphs), develop an opinion/solution on the topic through a specific lens (economy, environment/sustainability, national security, public policy/social justice). Take notes on arguments for the other side of your opinion/solution as well. You’ll need to include some statistics and facts about the problem. The whole point is to develop an opinion on your topic. 

Here are two examples of how you might want to frame your research:

1. If we continue to offer government rebates to fund household solar installations, how does that affect low income households? Who benefits? Is that ok?

2. An increasing number of groups are suggesting that recycling has become a waste of time and resources. What are some consequences of ending or overhauling our recycling efforts? What would that look like? Is the status quo (“some recycling is better than no recycling”) still acceptable?

What we’re looking for in your notes:

1. Basic general facts on your topic.

2. Opinions that people hold on your topic. Think about both sides of the argument here. 

3. A specific aspect of your topic through one (or more) of the four lenses.

4. Another aspect of your topic as it relates to one (or more) of the four lenses. It can be the same lens.

5. A third thing aspect of your topic as it relates to one (or more) of the four lenses. Again, it can be the same lens.

6. Keep track of your sources. Part of the score will be your choice of appropriate citations. If you have concerns about a website or think there’s a bias, just recognize it and make a little note as to why you think it’s biased. With your project, you will hand in a Works Cited page in a standard format.

Part B: Presentation

For this project, you can choose to create a website, infographic, video (can be done in partners), or podcast (can be done in partners). If you have other ideas, run them by me! Ultimately, I want you to create something that has an audio and/or visual component to it. All your projects will be compiled then shared with your classmates. You will be able to browse other students’ projects as part of homework and preparation for our discussion and reflection in the next class.

Part C: Discussion & Reflection

We will take one class to have a “Harkness”-style discussion on your projects. We will have a final reflection that you will complete as homework on a Schoology post.