Project+Outline

toc =Electricity & Ecology Research Assignment=

Background/Purpose
Electricity is important in our daily lives. The generation of electrical energy, however, is one of the primary ways in which humans harm the environment.

Much of the electricity generated in the world today is generated by burning coal. Burning coal to produce electricity also produces emissions that contribute to global warming, smog, acid rain, and poor air quality. For these reasons, the government of Ontario has committed to stop burning coal to produce electricity by the year 2014.

// **What should Ontario replace its coal fired power plants with?** //

This question is the basis for this research assignment.

STEP 1: Choose a Topic
There are many ways to generate electricity, but not all methods would work in Ontario. The following is a list of methods of generating electricity that are currently being considered in Ontario. You will choose one of these methods that you are interested in as your topic for this assignment.
 * hydro
 * wind
 * nuclear
 * natural gas
 * landfill gas
 * solar
 * incineration of garbage

STEP 2: Conduct Research
You will use our school library to conduct research on your chosen topic. The following are a list of questions that you will need to answer.
 * 1) What is the basic principle of operation of your chosen method of generating electricity? In other words: How does it work?
 * 2) What environmental advantages does this method of generating electricity have? (In particular in comparison with burning coal.) If possible, try to relate your findings to nutrient cycles, food webs, etc.
 * 3) What environmental disadvantages does this method of generating electricity have? If possible, try to relate your findings to nutrient cycles, food webs etc.
 * 4) Have any new power plants been recently built in Ontario that use this technology? If so, where? How have local communities reacted to the construction of these power plants?

STEP 3: Take a Position
Based on your research, decide if you think Ontario should invest in your chosen method of generating electricity.

STEP 4: Create a Final Product
Once you have taken a position, you will create a final product that is designed to persuade others to agree with you. You will need to ensure that the product clearly expresses your position, and is supported by your research. You may choose one of the following products, or propose your own to your teacher.
 * A letter to the editor of a newspaper
 * A blog posting
 * A poster campaign (one or more posters)
 * A pamphlet
 * A persuasive essay to be published in a magazine
 * A video suitable for posting on-line
 * A letter to the premier of Ontario (Dalton McGuinty) or Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure(George Smitherman)
 * A speech
 * A song

What to Hand in?
In addition to your final product, you will hand in all your research notes as well as a works cited list (our school librarian will teach you how to do this).

Your final mark will be based on the final product //**and**// your research notes.