CLEAN Energy for Singapore

Webquest Lesson

For

Secondary 2 Express

Webquest Lesson Structure

Introduction Task Processes Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Introduction In an article by The Straits Times dated 14 July 2001, it was reported

that the energy use by all households has gone up tremendously since 1995. Energy use by three-room HDB flats had shot up by 70% while the consumption for four- or five-room flats rose by a third.

This can be a matter of concern if energy use is not controlled. This is because Singapore does not have its own energy resources and is dependent on oil from the Middle East and natural gas from Malaysia and Indonesia to power its industries, commerce, transport and homes. Any increase in consumption means a higher import leading to higher cost borne by the people.

Moreover, oil and natural gas are non-renewable energy resources which means that they cannot be replaced but will be depleted over time. With dwindling oil supplies from oil producing countries, this will affect Singapore's status as a major oil refining centre in Asia.

TASK

You are to work in a team of five. You will create an awareness amongst your class mates in the following areas:

 *    the main types of energy resources used in Singapore

*    ways of harnessing these energy resources in Singapore *    ways of conserving energy at home and at work *    alternative energy resources (ways of harnessing, the pros and cons in

terms of efficiency, cost, environmental impact, etc) *    the best alternative energy resource for Singapore (reasons for choice

and why other alternative energy resources are not chosen) 

You have two tasks:

  As a group, you will do a group poster presentation

on the above areas. Your poster should be at least A2 in size and you may use as many pieces as you require.

or Create a 2-3 minute video clip on the above.

Individually, you have to write an essay. The question is "With reference to any three given alternative energy resources, assess their suitability for Singapore."

Processes

1    In your team of five, each member is to be given a role:  Leader (leads the team project, distributes work fairly among team

members, helps them tocome to an agreement if they have any differences)

Recorder (keeps brief notes of what have been discussed and done during meetings, what is to be done and by which member and reminds members what they are responsible for)

Designer (puts relevant information, graphics or other visuals on the posters)

Editor (edits the posters and present them as a whole)Resource Manager cum Time - keeper (files all the relevant

materials for the tasks and ensures that the team stays on task and keeps to the agreed schedule).  

2   You will do your research by visiting the websites provided under  Resources. You can also supplement your findings from other relevant websites and non-Internet resources such as books, journals and newspaper for your research.

  3   Collect and analyse the information you have collected.  4   Decide on how you are going to present the information for your

group poster presentation an  individual essays. 5   You can make use of the decision-making template under

Resources to help you analyse and present the data on alternative energy resources. 

 6   Be prepared to answer questions at your group poster presentation.

Resources Energy - General   Energy http://www.totalfinaelf.com/us/html/de/in/dein1-1.htm   History of Energy, Its Forms and Many Related Topics http://www.swifty.com/apase/charlotte/formse.html   Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy/

page.cfm?pageID=77   Power for Sustainable Future http://www.sustainableenergy.qld.edu.au/sources

Fossil Fuels (Oil and Natural Gas)

 Energy Information Administrationhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/singapor.html United Nations: Sustainable Developmenthttp://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/singapor/natur.htm Learning About Saving Energy: What is Energy?http://205.168.79.27/erec/factsheets/savenrgy.html Alternative Fuels Data Centre: Natural Gashttp://www.afdc.nrel.gov/altfuel/natural_gas.html

Alternative Energy Resources: Wind

The National Wind Technology Centrehttp://www.nrel.gov/wind Danish Wind Industry Associationhttp://www.windpower.dk/tour/index.htm Renewable Resource Data Centrehttp://rredc.nrel.gov/wind America Wind Energy Association http://

www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets.html Wind Energy FAQhttp://www.awea.org/faq/ 

Alternative Energy Resources: Solar

Alternative Fuels Data Centre: Solarhttp://www.afdc.nrel.gov/altfuel/solar.html Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network: Solarhttp://www.eren.doe.gov/RE/solar.html Home Power: Solar Energyhttp://www.homepower.com/education/comp_pv.cfmNews from Solar Electric Light Fund

http://www.imakenews.com/solarlight/e_article000032548.cfm

US Department of Energyhttp://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar.html

Alternative Energy Resources: Hydroelectric PowerPower Matters: Hydroelectric Powerhttp://www.tva.gov/power/hydro.htm National Renewable Energy Labhttp://www.nrel.gov/clean_energy/

hydroelectric_power.htmlEnergy Fact Sheet

http://www.iclei.org/efacts/hydroele.htmUSGS

http://wwwga.usgs.gov/edu/wuhy.htmlUS Department of Energy

http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/hydropower.html

Alternative Energy Resources: Nuclear PowerNuclear Information and Resource Centrehttp://www.nirs.org/factsheets/fctsht.htm World Nuclear Organisationhttp://www.world-nuclear.org/education/education.htmNuclear Energy Institute

http://www.nei.org/Nuclear Energy for Today and Tomorrow

http://pw1.netcom.com/~res95/energy/nuclear.htmlQuestions and Answers

http://www.nuc.umr.edu/~ans/QA.html

Search Engines

 You can make use of the following search engines to

get more web information on Energy Resources: Yahoohttp://yahoo.com Altavistahttp://altavista.com Googlehttp://google.com

Evaluation

You will be evaluated in the following areas:

a)   Group poster presentation: 30 marks

b)   Individual essay: 30 marks

Please see the product evaluation rubric for your poster presentation and your individual essay.

Conclusion

Well done, everyone! You have completed your task!

Take time to reflect on the whole process of the project work:

What have you learnt about energy resources?What thinking skills have you applied to this project?What National Education message is relevant for this

project?How have you worked together as a team and as

individual members?What would you have done better if you were involved

in similar type of work the next time?