The Energy Debates
In this mini project, we learned about different types of energy, ways that energy is produced, and ways that energy is stored. While learning about these different concepts, we were also able to learn about the benefits they do and do not hold for the environment. We also learned about nuclear fundamentals such as the atom and isotopes along with nuclear fission and fusion.
We were placed into groups of three or four with our classmates, which were out debate teams. We were taught a specific debate format to follow each time we debated against other teams. As a group we divided the research topics between ourselves to make sure all of the work would be evenly distributed. For each topic, we had to research for both the pros and cons side because we would not know which side we were arguing for or against until the day of the debate. We researched the five following questions (but only debated topics #1, #3, #5). Below are the questions that we researched, feel free to check out our document with all of our research HERE!
CREW Debate Question #1:
Nuclear energy is a better alternative to fossil fuels.
Focus Point 1 - Does nuclear energy help solve the problem of global warming? Why or why not?
Focus Point 2 - What should be done about the current infrastructure of fossil fuel usage in our society?
CREW Debate Question #2:
Nuclear waste can be disposed of efficiently and safely.
Focus Point 1 - Is there a location that is fair and safe to store nuclear waste? Why or why not?
Focus Point 2 - Is there a safe process of transporting and storing nuclear waste? Why or why not?
CREW Debate Question #3:
Nuclear energy is a better alternative to hydropower, solar, and wind energy.
Focus Point 1 - Do the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh the benefits of renewable energy sources?
Focus Point 2 - Are the benefits of nuclear energy higher than renewables if cost is included in the comparison?
CREW Debate Question #4:
Nuclear energy is truly capable of powering our world indefinitely.
Focus Point 1 - Will nuclear fission be a limitless solution to our energy needs?
Focus Point 2 - Will our energy needs be the same in the future?
CREW Debate Question #5:
Accidents that can happen at nuclear energy plants are acceptable risks.
Focus Point 1 - If an accident occurs, do the possible negative outcomes outweigh the benefits of nuclear energy?
Focus Point 2 - Can nuclear reactors and nuclear waste storage sites be protected against human error, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism?
We were placed into groups of three or four with our classmates, which were out debate teams. We were taught a specific debate format to follow each time we debated against other teams. As a group we divided the research topics between ourselves to make sure all of the work would be evenly distributed. For each topic, we had to research for both the pros and cons side because we would not know which side we were arguing for or against until the day of the debate. We researched the five following questions (but only debated topics #1, #3, #5). Below are the questions that we researched, feel free to check out our document with all of our research HERE!
CREW Debate Question #1:
Nuclear energy is a better alternative to fossil fuels.
Focus Point 1 - Does nuclear energy help solve the problem of global warming? Why or why not?
Focus Point 2 - What should be done about the current infrastructure of fossil fuel usage in our society?
CREW Debate Question #2:
Nuclear waste can be disposed of efficiently and safely.
Focus Point 1 - Is there a location that is fair and safe to store nuclear waste? Why or why not?
Focus Point 2 - Is there a safe process of transporting and storing nuclear waste? Why or why not?
CREW Debate Question #3:
Nuclear energy is a better alternative to hydropower, solar, and wind energy.
Focus Point 1 - Do the benefits of nuclear energy outweigh the benefits of renewable energy sources?
Focus Point 2 - Are the benefits of nuclear energy higher than renewables if cost is included in the comparison?
CREW Debate Question #4:
Nuclear energy is truly capable of powering our world indefinitely.
Focus Point 1 - Will nuclear fission be a limitless solution to our energy needs?
Focus Point 2 - Will our energy needs be the same in the future?
CREW Debate Question #5:
Accidents that can happen at nuclear energy plants are acceptable risks.
Focus Point 1 - If an accident occurs, do the possible negative outcomes outweigh the benefits of nuclear energy?
Focus Point 2 - Can nuclear reactors and nuclear waste storage sites be protected against human error, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism?
Reflection
What are some new things you learned to do in this project?
-I learned about how a proper debate works, meaning that you cannot prove your point by only arguing; you must beat your opponent in factual information to win the vote of the judges and audience.
What are you most proud of?
-I am moth proud that our group was able to compete with all of the other groups we debated against. I'm proud of this because the debates went back and forth, meaning our research had been successful and thorough.
What was challenging about this project?
-Since our group only had three people, it was challenging for us to complete all five research questions. Most groups had four people so I imagine that it was easier for other groups to complete all of their work.
If you were to do this project again, what would you change?
-If I could do this project over again, I would ask for more time for us to prepare and research just to feel more confident and prepared. I would also ask that we could find our our side of the argument for each debate question in advance so we could prepare accordingly.
-I learned about how a proper debate works, meaning that you cannot prove your point by only arguing; you must beat your opponent in factual information to win the vote of the judges and audience.
What are you most proud of?
-I am moth proud that our group was able to compete with all of the other groups we debated against. I'm proud of this because the debates went back and forth, meaning our research had been successful and thorough.
What was challenging about this project?
-Since our group only had three people, it was challenging for us to complete all five research questions. Most groups had four people so I imagine that it was easier for other groups to complete all of their work.
If you were to do this project again, what would you change?
-If I could do this project over again, I would ask for more time for us to prepare and research just to feel more confident and prepared. I would also ask that we could find our our side of the argument for each debate question in advance so we could prepare accordingly.