[DoDEA Science]

DRAFT

Conserving Fossil Fuels

Chemistry Community

Grade Level	9 - 12
Standards	Physical Science Concepts
		Students will explain the conservation of energy and the increase in disorder
		Students will compare forms of energy found in the Earth
	Science in Personal And Social Perspectives
		Students will participate in conserving natural resources
		Students will describe factors that influence environmental quality
	History And Nature Of Science
		Students will understand that science is a human endeavor

Objectives	Write a story that predicts what life would be like in 20 years without petroleum. Propose actions that could be taken to reduce petroleum consumption. Identify alternatives to using petroleum as an energy source.
Materials and Activities
Materials
Engage	Bring a bicycle to school and leave it in the room. When asked about it explain that you had to ride the bike, because you did not have enough gasoline in the car to make it to school. Ask the question, what other means of transport could I have used to get to work today? Have the students identify which ones depend on petroleum. Ask, the question, what will happen when the world 'runs low' on petroleum?
Explore	Each student will read the excerpt from AsimovÕs story about life in the 'distant' year 1997. (ChemCom, 2nd Edition, p. 180) "The Nightmare of Life Without Fuel", Time, 1977, April 25, p. 33. After reading the story, each student will write their own story involving their predictions of Òa life without petroleumÓ set in the year 2020. In small groups of 3 or 4, students will read their stories and then discuss each of the following: A. How would their daily life change in such a world. B. Which change would be the hardest adjustment and why? C. Which would be the easiest adjustment and why?
Explain	A representative from each group will summarize the student responses to questions stated above. (Explore #3) Discuss the summaries with the class. Are there varying viewpoints within the class. Use the discussion to clear up misconceptions.
Elaborate	Within the group, students will: Propose some actions that could be taken to prevent this situation from happening. Propose some government actions that might help prevent such a situation from happening.
Evaluation	Each group will prepare a brochure that is designed to increase public awareness regarding the conservation of petroleum.
Homework

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