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Good tips are included in the lesson.
Worksheets with a wealth of resources are provided.
As coal-burning power plants seek ways to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, some are evaluating co-firing with woody biomass for the generation of steam heat and/or electricity.
Comments from expert scientist:
Scientific strengths: Very relevant topic and like that the resource is structured as a town hearing/debate. Good background information is provided. References seem to come from reputable sources.
Suggestions: Newer resources regarding health and environment that groups 2 & 5 should be reading are missing. A fair amount had been done in the last 5 years linking air quality, emissions and human health. Suggest including studies that use life cycle assessment of biomass resources as compared to coal.
This is a problem-based authentic assessment.
Students assume the role of various stakeholders and participate in a discussion with classmates who represent officials from a local power plant that is seeking to substitute twenty percent of its coal with woody biomass.
Students evaluate available woody biomass options (forest residue, mill residue, urban wood) and come to a group consensus about which option, if any, is best from economic, environmental, and public health perspectives.
Very engaging and well-designed format.
Activity focused on the standards set by the North Carolina Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard REPS but can be easily adapted to other locations.
