Powering the Future: The Green City Challenge

Introduction

Welcome, Energy Experts! The fictional town of Eco-Ville is in crisis. Currently relying almost entirely on fossil fuels, the town is facing rising carbon emissions, polluted air, and skyrocketing energy costs. The Town Council has issued an urgent challenge: Eco-Ville must transition to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2040.

You have been hired as a specialized task force to investigate climate change impacts, evaluate various renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal), and present a viable, cost-effective transition plan to the Town Council. Are you ready to shape the future?

Task

Working in small teams of three, your mission is to research, design, and pitch a comprehensive Renewable Energy Transition Proposal for Eco-Ville.

Your final deliverables will include:

  • A Research Brief: Outlining current climate impacts in your region and how specific renewable sources work.
  • A Site & Feasibility Plan: Choosing the best two renewable energy sources for Eco-Ville based on geography and economics.
  • A Pitch Presentation: A 5-slide digital presentation or short video pitching your solution to the Town Council.

Process

Follow these sequential steps to complete your challenge:

  • Step 1: Form Your Team & Assign Roles
    • Role A: Climate Scientist — Investigates local climate data, carbon footprint numbers, and the urgency of reducing emissions.
    • Role B: Renewable Energy Engineer — Researches the mechanics, pros, and cons of assigned energy sources (Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal).
    • Role C: Economic & Policy Analyst — Analyzes setup costs, land usage, job creation, and community impact.
  • Step 2: Conduct Research
    • Use the provided resources below to gather facts, data, and diagrams supporting your chosen technologies.
  • Step 3: Synthesize and Draft the Proposal
    • Meet with your team to combine your findings. Decide which two renewable sources best fit Eco-Ville's geography (e.g., Does it have rivers? High wind speeds? Lots of sunlight?).
  • Step 4: Create the Final Presentation
    • Build your slide deck or video pitch addressing the problem, your proposed energy mix, cost estimates, and projected carbon reduction.

Use these recommended websites and databases to conduct your research:

Evaluation

Your project will be graded based on the following rubric criteria:

Criteria

Excellent (4)

Proficient (3)

Developing (2)

Beginning (1)

Scientific Accuracy

Climate data and energy mechanics are thoroughly and accurately explained.

Most scientific facts are accurate with minor gaps.

Some scientific misconceptions or lack of depth.

Inaccurate or missing scientific details.

Feasibility & Economics

Proposed energy plan is highly realistic, cost-effective, and suited for Eco-Ville.

Plan is mostly practical with realistic cost considerations.

Plan lacks economic reasoning or geographical alignment.

Plan is entirely unrealistic or impractical.

Team Collaboration

All roles contributed equally; presentation flows seamlessly.

Good teamwork; minor imbalances in contribution.

Uneven workload or lack of coordination.

Little to no evidence of teamwork.

Presentation Quality

Engaging, clear, visually appealing, and persuasive pitch.

Clear and structured presentation.

Disorganized or difficult to follow.

Incomplete presentation.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the Eco-Ville challenge! By exploring climate data and renewable energy technologies, you now understand the complex choices cities face in combating climate change.

Reflection Questions (To discuss in your final submission notes):

  1. What was the biggest challenge your team faced when balancing cost versus environmental impact?
  2. How can individual choices in your own community contribute to a broader transition toward clean energy?

 

Credits

  • WebQuest Framework: Designed using the standard WebQuest model developed by Bernie Dodge.
  • Information & Resources: NASA Climate Change, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
  • Images & Media: Educational resources accessed under fair-use guidelines for educational purposes.

Teacher Page

Target Audience: High School (Grades 9–12) — Science / Environmental Science / Earth Science

Unit Topic: Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, and Renewable Energy Technologies

Estimated Time: 3 to 4 class periods (approx. 45–50 minutes each)

Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze the impact of human activities and greenhouse gas emissions on global climate.
  • Compare the mechanics, advantages, and limitations of various renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal).

  • Collaborate in group roles to evaluate geographical feasibility and present a persuasive policy proposal.

    Teacher Notes: This activity works well in groups of 3. You can adapt the time frame by having students complete the research phase as homework.