Nuclear+Power+Town+Meeting+Project



Should a nuclear power plant be built in Guys Mills? In this investigation, you will be assigned and asked to support and defend a side of this issue. The groups who will be debating this issue are: an environmental group, a residential group, and a pronuclear group. These groups will be asked to present their information in front of a two member city council that will be made up of Mr. Fenner and Mrs. Statman.
 * //Introduction://**

//**Tasks:**// The class will be divided into three main groups, consisting of an environmental group who is against the power plant, a residential group who is undecided about the power plant, and a pro nuclear power group who is trying to build the power plant. Mr. Fenner and Mrs. Statman will represent the city council who will ultimately make the decision about whether or not the plant will be built. All members will be required to do research about their topic. Only one person will be allowed to talk during their 3 designated times. Each group will be given 3-5 minutes to offer their opening argument on their position. There will be two opportunities to offer follow up and additional information to the city council representatives. These times will consist of 2-3 minutes where you will be able to provide additional information and refute the positions of the other groups. In this case, you may not speak longer than 3 minutes, but must speak at least 2 minutes. The first session you should present your case. The second session you should respond to other groups and present any additional information. The third session you should present your final arguments to support your case. A different person must talk each time. After all groups have spoken, the county board will ask each group to respond to a final question.

Remember when doing a search to consider the following:

a. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the coal power generating plants most commonly used today? b. What effects does radiation have on the surrounding people and environment? c. What is the pollution problem with coal and nuclear power? Which is better? d. Would you want to buy or try to sell a house near a nuclear power plant? Be sure to provide concrete evidence to support your opinion.

In creating your arguments be sure to have facts to back up your reasoning.

1. As a group, discuss what each of you want to try to find. Remember that you are competing against other groups, so the more information you find to help your cause the better. Statistics and other figures always help your cause, but make sure to state their source to give them credibility. 2. Break up into pairs and do research using the Internet. Create a Google Doc and share with your group to record and share your information. Research is part of your grade. For reference purposes, all that is needed is the address of the site where you found the information. Be sure to share your Google Doc with Mr. Fenner. 3. Designate which information each group member contributed. You can color code the entries for each member, you can also designate different pages in your Google doc for each member. It should be obvious to Mr. Fenner the information each group member contributed. 4. While doing research, take note of information that may help others' causes. This will help you in the debate later when presenting your information. 5. You will have about three class periods to do research and develop your argument. The debate will be on the third day. 6. The debate will go as follows: a. Each group will be given 5 minutes to prepare an opening argument b. Opening statements 3-5 minutes c. Another 3 minutes to prepare a response to others' arguments d. 3-5 minutes responses e. Another 3 minutes to prepare closing arguments f. Closing arguments g, Questions from the City Council ** //Resources:// **
 * //Procedure://**

The following links provide useful information:
 * [|Howstuffworks.com]
 * [|Nuclear Energy Institute]
 * [|Office of Nuclear Energy, Science & Technology...]
 * [|Nuclear Power Plant Demonstration]
 * [|A Virtual Plant Tour]
 * [|NIRS]

The following search engines can also be used to find information:
 * [|Ask.com]
 * [|Metacrawler.com]
 * [|Dogpile.com]
 * [|AltaVista.com]
 * [|Yahoo.com]
 * [|Webcrawler.com]
 * WolframAlpha

Groups will be evaluated according to the rubric below. The total number of possible points for this project is 120. Each group will receive a daily work ethic grade of 20 points. This requires the completion of a Google Form.
 * //Evaluation://**


 * || Expert (20points) || Master (15points) || Apprentice (10points) ||
 * Resource and Research || Used provided sources and additional sources to find information that supports the group opinion and refutes the opposing viewpoints. || Used provided sources and additional information that supports the group opinion. Information to refute was not as detailed. || Used some of the resources provided to support the group opinion. Opposing opinion information was weak and not detailed. ||
 * Presentation of Position || Provided a detailed cogent argument that used the allotted time effectively. || Provided an clear argument including some but not enough statistics. Used the allotted time wisely. || Argument did not include details, did not use the allotted time. ||
 * Response to others || Response to opposing views are detailed using statistics. The allotted time for rebuttal is used effectively. || Response to opposing views are clear but not detailed or supported by statistics. || Ineffective response to opposing views that offers little more than an opinion not supported by facts or statistics. ||
 * Group Work Ethic || Evaluated daily. Google form accurately reflects teacher observation of group's work and ability to overcome difficulities to successfully complete the project. || Evaluated daily. Google form completed but not an accurate account of group's work at completeing the project. The group does not recognize the obstacles that need to be overcome to complete the project. || Evaluated daily. Google form not completed. Group does not effectively use class time and equally shares the responsibility for the project. ||

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Students should become more familiar with nuclear power and the effects it has on society.
 * //Conclusion://**