Good project for curriculum integration

This article explores energy issues through the use of research, writing, and role-playing. It does a nice job of pulling together practical argumentation and writing skills, while linking c... See More

This article explores energy issues through the use of research, writing, and role-playing. It does a nice job of pulling together practical argumentation and writing skills, while linking chemistry to real-world issues. The format is straightforward - choose a role (position), research the stakeholder's position, create a position paper, and defend the position at a "hearing" according to a pre-defined set of rules. The final step is for the student to produce a personal position paper. The major weakness I found in the article was a bit of a lack of consideration for guidelines for the quality of sources for each of the players. With so many people finding the issues controversial, I would also like to see quantification as far as the environmental and economic issues.