Nuclear Power Debate

Unified Science Project

Nuclear power will help
provide the electricity that our
growing economy needs
without increasing emissions.
This is truly an
environmentally responsible
source of energy.

Which side
are you on?

Michael Burgess

Every dollar spent on nuclear is

one less dollar spent on clean
renewable energy and one more
dollar spent on making the world a
comparatively dirtier and a more
dangerous place, because nuclear
power and nuclear weapons go
hand in hand.

Mark Z. Jacobson

Project details
Suppose you are an energy consultant who has been asked to evaluate a proposal to
build a nuclear power plant in a remote area in your community. You must decide what
is best for the community! You have two choices:
1. If you are for nuclear power: provide 3 reasons why with evidence, and promote the proposal for
nuclear power.
2. If you are against nuclear power: provide 3 reasons why with evidence, and persuade the
community to choose different sources of power.

Pick your project

How will you present your position on nuclear power?
Write a paper (1-2 page).
Create a PPT (5-10 slides).
Record a video (1 person/3 minutes, or 2 person/5 minutes, or 4 person/10
minutes).
Write a short story (1-3 pages).
Make a poster, tri-fold display, or brochure.
Develop an in-class, live debate (2 person/8 minutes, or 4 people/15 minutes).

Due Dates and Scoring

All assignments will be included in your final Nuclear Power Project grade.

Nuclear Power Debate Questions (Schoology Assignment) Friday, Jan. 30, 3:30PM

_______ / 5
Nuclear Power Debate Research Worksheet Wednesday, Feb. 4, 3:30PM

_______ / 10
Nuclear Power Debate Draft, typed Wednesday, Feb. 11, 3:30PM

_______

/5
Nuclear Power Debate Self-Evaluation Tuesday, Feb. 17, complete in class

_______

/ 10

Nuclear Power Debate Project Tuesday, Feb. 17, 3:30PM

_______ / 30

Total

_______ / 60

Nuclear Power Debate Research Worksheet

**Remember to write your sources for the information you use to answer the questions.

1) What are the main sources of energy for the Midwest? (Listing percentagesor a pie
graphwould be helpful.)

Information source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____
2) How would you describe nuclear energy?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
3) What are the benefits of using nuclear power as a source of energy?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
2

4) What are the drawbacks?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
5) Describe your position on nuclear energy.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
6) List three reasons why you feel the way you do about nuclear energy. Provide
evidence to support each reason? Be specific.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
3

__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
source(s):
__________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________

Nuclear Power Debate Project Rubric Self-evaluation

Your project will be graded based on this rubric. Consequently, use this rubric as a guide when working on
your project and check it again before you submit it.
Traits
4 Exemplary
2 Developing
0 Beginning
Your Position

Your position is stated in the

introduction and conclusion, and
is clearly stated and supported
throughout.

Your position is unclear, or your

position is stated but not
supported throughout.

Your position is not stated.

Organization

The introduction is inviting and

provides an overview of the issue
you will be discussing.
Information is presented in logical
order and maintains the interest
of the audience.

The introduction and conclusion

do not provide an overview, or
there is no logical order.

There is no clear introduction,

structure, or conclusion.

Reasons and
Support

Three or more excellent reasons

are stated with good support. It is
evident a lot of research was put
into this assignment.

One or two reasons are stated,

but the support is weak.

Reasons are weak or missing. No

support.

Attention to
Audience

Position demonstrates a clear

understanding of the potential
audience.

Position demonstrates some

understanding of the potential
audience.

Position does not seem to target

any audience.

Visuals

Visuals are appealing, highly

relevant, and add support to your
position.

Visuals are related to the topic.

Visuals are not related to the

topic. Or no visuals are present.

Grammar,
Mechanics, &
Spelling

There are no errors in grammar,

mechanics, and/or spelling.

There are 3 or more errors.

There are numerous errors.

Creativity

Information is presented in a way

that is unique and original.

There is evidence that some of

the information was copied.

There is evidence that most or all

of the information is a copy.

Yes

No

Handed in on
time

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Project Score: ______ / 30

Nuclear Power Debate Project Rubric
Your project will be graded based on this rubric. Consequently, use this rubric as a guide when working on
your project and check it again before you submit it.

Traits

4 Exemplary

2 Developing

0 Beginning

Your Position

Your position is stated in the

introduction and conclusion, and
is clearly stated and supported
throughout.

Your position is unclear, or your

position is stated but not
supported throughout.

Your position is not stated.

Organization

The introduction is inviting and

provides an overview of the issue
you will be discussing.
Information is presented in logical
order and maintains the interest
of the audience.

The introduction and conclusion

do not provide an overview, or
there is no logical order.

There is no clear introduction,

structure, or conclusion.

Reasons and
Support

Three or more excellent reasons

are stated with good support. It is
evident a lot of research was put
into this assignment.

One or two reasons are stated,

but the support is weak.

Reasons are weak or missing. No

support.

Attention to
Audience

Position demonstrates a clear

understanding of the potential
audience.

Position demonstrates some

understanding of the potential
audience.

Position does not seem to target

any audience.

Visuals

Visuals are appealing, highly

relevant, and add support to your
position.

Visuals are related to the topic.

Visuals are not related to the

topic. Or no visuals are present.

Grammar,
Mechanics, &
Spelling

There are no errors in grammar,

mechanics, and/or spelling.

There are 3 or more errors.

There are numerous errors.

Creativity

Information is presented in a way

that is unique and original.

There is evidence that some of

the information was copied.

There is evidence that most or all

of the information is a copy.

Yes

No

Handed in on
time

Strengths

Weaknesses

Comments: ___________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Project Score: ______ / 30