Ages 11 to 14

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Web Quest : Fact-finding missions

Fact-finding mission 1:

It's a dirty shame

Producing the energy we need can cause problems for our environment. Find out what some of these problems are.

Question 1
Many things you use at home probably use electricity. How much of our electricity is produced using the fossil fuels, coal, gas and oil?

Question 2
What are two problems caused by using so much of these energy resources?

Question 3
Find out more about global warming.

Question 4
Find out more about acid rain
Fact-finding mission 2:

So what's the problem?

Burning coal, oil and gas (the fossil fuels) to make electricity is a major source of the pollution that leads to acid rain and global warming. Using other energy sources could help, but there are problems associated with them too. Your mission is to find out about some of these problems.

Question 1
What resource, other than fossil fuels, do we use to produce a large part of our electricity?

Question 2
Is this a renewable energy resource?
What are its disadvantages?

  • Disadvantages

    • Question 3
    How much electricity have we been generating from renewable energy resources?

    Question 4

    1. Which renewable resource do we use most?
      The largest source of renewable energy
    2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this energy resource?
      Advantages and disadvantages of this renewable energy resource

    Question 5
    Wind energy is being used more and more in Britain. What are its advantages and disadvantages?
    Fact-finding mission 3:

    Energy-saving on a global scale – how does Britain compare?

    You might be the local champion at saving energy, but where do you, and all of us in Britain, stand on the world scale?

    Question 1
    Find what is meant by your 'ecological footprint'.

    • Ecological footprint
    • How big is your ecological footprint?
    • How big is just the energy part of your footprint?
    • The world can support an ecological footprint of 1.8 hectares.
    • Which areas of the world are using more than this for each person?
    • Which areas of the world are using less?

    Question 2
    We are not going to want to give up all the things that make our lives comfortable, but what are some important savings we can make?