Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
06/26/2017
U.S. sets new record for wind and solar power use
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports wind and solar power generated over 10 percent of electricity for the first time ever in March. Wind and solar only averaged about 7 percent of total electricity generation in 2016. Both energy types are growing rapidly worldwide — partly because they're becoming cheaper than fossil fuels.
■Class discussion: Do you think renewable energy like wind and solar will eventually replace fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas? Why or why not? What are the biggest problems with solar and wind power? How could those problems be solved? What are the biggest problems with fossil fuels? Can those problems be solved? What other renewable energy sources are scientists researching?