3/6/15

Thanks to everybody for giving up some of their time to get the first part of the mock exams done. Your homework for this weekend is to complete Assignments 53 and 54. Assignment 53 can be found in the previous post and Assignment 54 is to complete FRQ #1 from the 2012 APES exam.

3/5/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 53 - however, it is due on Monday (in case you want to prepare for the mock exam tomorrow). Reminders: 11BD takes the mock exam from 1:20 until 3:10. If this impacts internship, etc., then please reach out to me so I can prepare a note for your supervisor, etc. 12BD takes the mock exam from either 9:45 until 11:35 or 10:40 until 12:30 (depending on when you have study hall). Please bring a pencil.

Assignment 53 This Is Your Dam Assignment

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability in complete sentences.

1. Describe how hydroelectric dams work to generate electricity.

2. The city of Fremont is located on the Ogden River which swells and floods each spring as snow melts. The city council leader proposes to build a dam with a hydroelectric power plant. As a member of the city council it is your job to determine the wishes of your citizens and vote on the proposal accordingly.

a. What are some potential benefits of building such a structure?

b. What concerns do you have about constructing the hydroelectric dam?

c. What other information would you like to have in order to make an informed decision?

3. How does hydroelectric power relate to our discussions about sustainability?

Resources

Powerpoint presentation on hydroelectric power

3/4/15

Tonight's homework is to complete your Home Electricity Audit for tomorrow. See previous posts for help/resources. Also, remember that 1 ton is equal to 2,000 pounds.

3/3/15

The United States would need 1,000 new nuclear power plants to completely replace fossil fuels.

What questions would you need answered in order to evaluate the expansion of nuclear power?

• How do nuclear reactors work?
• What are the advantages of using nuclear energy to generate electricity?
• What happens to nuclear waste?
• What are the dangers of radioactivity/using nuclear power?
• Have there ever been problems with nuclear reactors?

Assignment 52 - Thinking About Nuclear Power

Answer one of the following two questions.

1. Knowing what you now know, do you approve of the Indian Point nuclear power plant operating within 50 miles of New York City? Support your answer.

2. Should the United States increase or decrease the number of nuclear power plants? Support your answer.

Answer the following question.

3. How sustainable is using nuclear energy to generate (as we currently know it)?

Some useful resources
Our Textbook - check Chapter 18
Nuclear Energy - EPA.gov
How Nuclear Power Works
Animations of Nuclear Reactors at Work
10 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Power
Fukuskima Nuclear Reactor Problem Explained (CNN)

3/2/15

Tonight's homework is to:

1. continue working/completing Part 2 of the Home Electricity Audit.

2. write a solid, supported response (~1 page) to the following, "Should New York State approve hydraulic fracturing (fracking) within its borders?" Support your answer with evidence from...

Gastown (streaming on Netflix or available here)
your notes
the textbook
the readings from the weekend (previous post)

The Debate on Fracturing - NY Times
10 Considerations about Shale Gas Drilling from the U.S. Experience - PSE
Natural Gas May Be Easier On Climate Than Coal, Despite Methane Leaks - NPR
The Evolving Truth about Fracking for Natural Gas - Scientific American (click on the Storify link within)
Learning Too Late of the Perils in Gas Well Leases - NY Times

2/27/15

Nice job with the debates today! This weekend's homework is to read "The Facts on Fracking" reread/read p. 309 through 312 in Botkin and Keller to become familiar with natural gas and how it is obtained/used.

Remember that tomorrow's AP review session will take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Museum School (17th Street and 8th Avenue). If you are asked about a permission slip, remember that you submitted one to me for the previous session, so I have yours.

2/26/15

Today's task is to evaluate the benefits and costs of drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. You have been assigned to either argue for or against exploratory drilling (and the subsequent drilling and pumping that would follow). Remember: in 11BD, the left sides of each table is arguing against drilling in the ANWR, while the right side of each table is arguing for it and in 12BD, the left sides of each table is arguing for drilling in the ANWR, while the right side of each table is arguing against it.

You will produce a 1 to 2 page debate brief that:

- clearly indicates your position
- argues in favor of your position
- contains textual and statistical evidence to support your arguments and position
- refers to sources of its evidence/statistics

This is a controversial topic that is regularly discussed by legislators so information abounds. To help you get started, check out...

Committee on Natural Resources
anwr.org
National Resources Defense Council

Our debate will take place tomorrow in class and you will be evaluated on:

- your completed debate brief
- the persuasiveness of your debating
- the strength of your arguments and evidence

Your debate brief will be collected and reviewed to help determine the depth of your knowledge.

Also, here is the PowerPoint from today's class.