A Good Investment for Alberta?
Wind Power
Consider the issues and find your position!
Foothills, AB to discuss wind power installation on local property!
The small community of Foothills, Alberta is considering installing several wind turbines in order to take advantage of the environmental conditions in their area. However, not everyone is in favour of using this sustainable energy source. To resolve the conflict, the community will hold a debate on three major issues: impact of the turbines environmentally, societally and economically. You and your group will determine the position held by one of three stakeholders: environmentalists, energy company representatives, and locals whose land will be used to house the turbines. You will deliver a report on the feasibility of wind power in this region as well as evidence backing up your group's position on the three issues under discussion. Finally, you will use this information to debate the other two groups.
To aid in your task, step-by-step instructions are provided on the Process page and several helpful articles have been provided on the Resources page of this site.
Your Task
The Report
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Feasibility of Foothills, AB for wind power. Using information you find in your research, determine whether the region is suitable for wind power and to what extent. Include weather trends and the possible output of an installation.
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Position Arguments. Using evidence from your research, develop arguments for your group's position (for or against) on the three issues:
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Environmental impact - how is the environment affected by wind turbines? Are there negative impacts to counter sustainability?
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Societal impact - how does the installation of turbines affect the community? What would change and to what effect?
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Economic impact - what are the actual costs of the turbines? Consider ongoing costs of maintenance and "free" energy.
The roles given to each group should be evident in the arguments you develop. The environmentalists will have a different take on research and findings than the energy company. Be sure to consider this from that point of view, not from your own personal opinion. An understanding of the opposing arguments is essential in strengthening your own arguments, so be sure to consider potential counterarguments. The work you do here will strengthen your effect in the debate.
The Debate
The three groups will have the opportunity to debate the three issues. The format will be as follows:
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Groups will present their position on one issue (2-3 minutes each)
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Groups in opposition will be offered the chance to provide a counterargument (extra information from prevous statement, groups can consult notes) (1-2 minutes to consult notes, 1-2 minutes for counterargument)
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Process will repeat for each issue
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Class will vote yea/nay on the issues. Majority wins.
A different group member should present each issue in order to allow everyone to participate. Groups with four members should allow the fourth mmeber to present counterarguments.
Scoring rubrics for both the report and debate are found on the Evaluation page of this site.
