Physics of the Universe · Week 15 · Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy
Solar in the Desert
Evaluating cost and benefit evidence for desert solar farms and weighing habitat loss against clean energy.
- Students will
- Students evaluate evidence on a desert solar farm and make a claim about whether to build it, weighing clean energy against habitat loss.
- SEL skill
- Use your values as information while still weighing evidence
- What it looks like
- Students practice decision-making by using emotions and values as information while still weighing evidence.
- Content focus
- Solar in the desert
- Format
- Small group problem-solving
Responsible decision-making
Responsible decision-making is using evidence and your values to make constructive choices that consider everyone affected. More responsible decision-making activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-ESS3-2: High School Earth and Space Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP7 Engaging in argument from evidence
- Crosscutting concept: CCC5 Energy and matter
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle V: Decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors
- Literacy in science: RST.11-12.8 Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science text.
- Traditional course: Physics
Fits these textbook chapters
- Inspire Physics, Unit 3: Energy and its Conservation
- California HMH Science Dimensions: Physics in the Universe, Unit 4: Energy Conversion
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More responsible decision-making activities for Physics of the Universe
- Seatbelts and Choices Responsible decision-makingArguing from crash data about safety features and examining how peer pressure affects risky choices.
- Materials by Design Responsible decision-makingEvaluating claims about engineered materials and practicing honest reporting of a source's limits.
- Dating the Earth Responsible decision-makingAnalyzing half life data to date rocks and meteorites while checking our reasoning for bias.
- Digital Signals Responsible decision-makingArguing the advantages of digital information and discussing honesty when sharing images and messages online.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.