Powering the Future

Jennifer Berry and Melissa StugartStratford STEM High School

Interdisciplinary Lesson Connections

• Biology • English II• Contemporary Issues • Algebra I

Standards Based Instruction

• Biology: Embedded Inquiry, Embedded Technology and Engineering, Embedded Mathematics, Interdependence

• English II: Language, Communication, Writing• Contemporary Issues: Economics, Geography,

and Governance and Civics

Real-World Application:

• Students will identify and explore sources of energy available to Nashville.

• Students will compare results from PowerVille to current energy consumption for Nashville.

• Students will communicate their findings in a community forum setting.

• Students will make recommendations based on group research and PowerVille results.

Lesson Duration

5- 90 minute blocks within 4 core subject areas

21st Century Connections

Themes:• Global Awareness• Environmental Literacy• Financial, economic,

business and entrepreneurial literacy

Skills: • Critical thinking• Problem Solving• Collaboration• Communication • Initiative and Self

Direction

Technology Integration

• Students will play PowerVille game simulation to learn valuable scientific content and practice 21st century skills.

• Students will complete research WebQuests in biology and contemporary issues.

Equipment Needed

• Classroom set of computers, • projector to model, and• headphones

Goals and Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to:• Explore and understand the various viable energy sources

available to cities.• Complete game simulation• Organize and synthesize information from game simulation and

make informed decisions regarding energy sources.• Research viable options for implementation of an energy plan

that will be presented in a community forum.• Communicate and defend their decisions for viable energy

sources to the community.• Reflect upon individual learning experiences to answer an inquiry

based question.

Essential Question

How should Metro-Nashville supply energy to the community to best support the economy, the environment, and consumption needs?

Lesson Sequence Lesson and Activities:

Day 1• Entry Event: Video from Mayor Karl Dean presenting scenario based on the essential

question• Brainstorm the Need to Know:

– Biology- types of energy sources– Social Studies- budget and energy available to Nashville , process in which government

makes decisions– Algebra- review basic mathematical processes and skills utilizing energy conversion scenarios– English II- learn the parts of reflective essay

• Form teams within biology class

Day 2• Research

– Biology- the types of sources – Collaborative WebQuest (A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. These can be created using various programs, including a simple word processing document that includes links to websites.)

– Social Studies- individual WebQuest on how decisions are made and Nashville’s use of energy

Lesson Sequence Lesson and Activities:

Day 3• PowerVille Game: Individually complete, but each team member will

play a different version of the game (different energy needs and budget). Students will complete a table of their findings to share with group.

Day 4• Biology

– Present and compare results of game with team members. Compile data in a group table.

– Develop a group recommendation for Nashville scenario• English II

– Construct rough draft of reflective essay answering the essential question.

Day 5• Present findings

– Biology- construct recommendations and present for public audience– English II- edit and revise rough drafts of reflective essays

Formative Assessment:• Biology- webquest and game simulation• Social Studies- webquest• Algebra- quiz-quiz-trade on energy

conversions• English II- rough draft of reflective essay

Differentiation:

• Teams will be formed based on interests and strengths

• Scaffolding provided for webquests, game, and discussion

Resources

http://www.p21.org/overview/skills-framework/57 http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/sci/index.shtmlPowerVille game simulationWebquests, library guides,