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Description
Using materials provided by the resource, students research and discuss the challenges and benefits of moving away from fossils fuels to a clean, renewable energy economy. Students then participate in a simulation in which they take on the roles of employees of a fictitious natural gas company intending to develop a large scale solar operation. In their new roles with the company, students work together to design an energy transition plan that they will present at a public meeting for community stakeholders. In the presentation students will attempt to highlight a range of opportunities their energy transition plan will provide while at the same time addressing concerns some of the groups in attendance might have. The activity concludes with students reflecting on what they have learned about energy transition, sustainable development and reaching consensus.
In addition to the information students will need for the role play, teaching notes, suggestions for assessment and ideas for extending the learning are included.
General Assessment
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?
- analyzing information
- consensus building
- preparing and presenting information
Strengths
- the resource provides students and teachers with the necessary tools and information to complete the activity
- the information provided is current and up-to-date.
- the simulation is well designed, well supported and addresses an important issue
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity should be of interest to science, social studies and geography teachers and will support discussions on energy, climate, sustainable development and civic engagement.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-4 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Grade 12
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Physical features and natural resources influence demographic patterns and population distribution (adapted from Human Geography
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
- Urban Studies 12: Urban planning decisions and other government policies can dramatically affect the overall quality of life in cities
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Civics 10: Decision - Making and Representation
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Geography 120: Patterns and Systems in the Human and Natural World
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 3201: Human-Environment Interaction
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-2 (Living in a Globalizing World) Globalisation and Sustainable Prosperity
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 30: Energy and the Environment
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Civics and Citizenship (Open): Civic Awareness
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Forces of Nature: Physical Processes and Disasters (Univ./College Prep.): The Physical Environment: Sustainability and Stewardship
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living in a Sustainable World (Workplace Prep.) Community Action
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explorations in Social Studies 11: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Physical Geography 12: Interactions between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate
- Urban Studies 12: Urban planning decisions and other government policies can dramatically affect the overall quality of life in cities
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Economics (1)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Energy (3)
- Alternative Energy
- Energy Generation
- Energy Use
