How did you modify this unit for use in your own classroom?: -the topic of research was changed from Black History Month to Future City -the students had to create models of their Future City for a competition -the students’ PowerPoint presentations had to include elements of their future city model -the students performed dances to interpret their future city concept NOTE: Please be advised that the dance performances and the PowerPoint presentations were not requirements of the competition. These were additional lessons created to enhance learning and the incorporation of technology.

List your primary instructional objectives for your students.

What role did technology play in this curriculum unit?: - students used the Internet for research and to find images - students used Microsoft’s drawing function to alter images - students used Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentation - students used transparency grids (created on Microsoft Excel) for windows in their buildings Web sites used include: Naturalgas.org, www.epa.gov

How did you assess and evaluate student performance?: 1) Students had to answer a series of reflective questions. 2) Group discussions were assessed to determine if students were applying the rules for accountable talk, which requires everyone to share. This was also used to determine if the students understood their tasks. 3) Students final products were assessed to determine if their PowerPoint presentation reflected their essays and their modeled city. They were also assessed to identify any areas that needed further review.

Please tell us briefly about your background & teaching experience: This is Ms. Walker's fifth year as a teacher at P.S. 35. She has Master’s degrees in both Education and Teaching English as a Second Language. She enjoys using the computer to teach her students because it allows her to provide them with images/videos of things with the click of the mouse. For example, when Mrs. Coretta Scott King died, Ms. Walker was able to take her class to the funeral via the Internet. After watching the funeral, she and her students discussed each speaker’s comments. The students’ responses were profound.

What are your recommendations for other teachers interested in adapting this unit?: 1) For younger students, the teacher could have students create a PowerPoint presentation on topics that are grade related. For example, a kindergarten class could create a PowerPoint presentation about the alphabets. Students could use Microsoft clip art to find an object/animal to represent each letter of the alphabet. Teacher could print and laminate the slides to use for the class’ alphabet. 2) For other early grades, teachers can have students show the different steps in “How To” projects. Students can use clip art or digital pictures to portray the steps. 3) Resources used include: “Benefits of LFG Energy,” U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://epa.gov/lmop/benefits.htm “Fuel Cells for Power Generation,” U S Fuel Cell Council. http://usfcc.com/download_a_file/download_a_file/PowerGen-Brochure-04-032.pdf “Storage of Natural Gas.” Natural Gas.org. http://naturalgas.org/naturalgas/storage.asp “Types of Fuel Cells,” U. S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. http://eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/fc_types.html

Samples of Student Projects

	Student’s Essay: The students had to write an essay about the future city’s energy system. City of Liberty The threat of war has been an advantage point for President Ugo Chavez. City of Liberty’s oil supply comes from Venezuela, and the president of Venezuela is Ugo Chavez. This president despises our president, George Bush. If one day our president says something inappropriate, Chavez might stop giving oil to the City of Liberty. If oil is not sent to the City of Liberty, no cars, houses, schools, nor buildings would be heated or powered. Therefore, we decided to develop an energy system that will not depend on the foreign oil supply. The technology in our energy system is based on fuel cells. Fuel cells are very clean. They reduce air pollutants because the fuels in them do not have to be burned. Our fuel cell system, which uses solid oxide fuel cells, can use both hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It can also use different fuels such as: gasoline, jet fuel, alcohol, and natural gas. We choose the solid oxide fuel system because it can turn our non-renewable natural gas into renewable fuel. Our supply of natural gas is stored in salt caverns. Salt cavern storage facilities are best suited for natural gas because it is hard for the gas to escape unless it is being extracted. Also, the natural gas stored in a salt cavern can be readily (and quickly) withdrawn. Although creating the salt caverns can be quite expensive, it is well worth it. City of Liberty Solid oxide fuel cells systems are also very reliable because they generate an abundance of power unlike conventional power systems. As long as they are supplied with fuel they will continue to produce energy. Our customers are happy with their new power system because it is highly efficient. Its overall effectiveness exceeds 92%. In addition to providing power, our solid oxide fuel cells system generates a high quality by-product, heat energy. Generating steam is one way in which we use this heat energy. This steam is used to power vehicles through an underground pipeline system. Our vehicles are also equipped with an electrical system. This allows them to move when they are not in a pipeline area such as driveways and parking garages. Another reason why we selected a solid oxide fuel cell system is because it can reform natural gas internally (U.S. Department of Energy). By having the reformation occurring in the fuel cell, we do not need additional machinery such as a reformer. This helps keeps production cost down. A major disadvantage of the solid oxide fuel cell system is that it has to operate at extremely high temperatures. Since it takes time for the temperature to rise, there would be a power delay if the plant ever shuts down. This would only pose a problem if there is a sudden major power failure. In order to have an abundant supply of fuel, we have an alternative fuel source, which is methane. We get our methane supply from the landfills. Since methane gas is a very potent greenhouse gas, reducing its emission from landfills reduces the air pollutants. By using it in the solid oxide fuel cells, we continue to improve our environment. City of Liberty In our industrial zone the power is generated through underground pipelines that are connected to the power plant. About 550,000 kilowatts is needed to power the industrial zone daily. The power plant produces enough energy to power the entire zone. In case of emergencies, we have 14 solid oxide fuel cells units placed in buildings throughout the zone. Each on-site unit can generate approximately 1640 kilowatts hourly. City of Liberty lives up to its name because it no longer depends on others to supply its power. Our citizens are happy to be free of international threats. Bibliography “Benefits of LFG Energy.” U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://epa.gov/lmop/benefits.htm (14 December 2006). “Fuel Cells for Power Generation.” U S Fuel Cell Council. http://usfcc.com/download_a_file/download_a_file/PowerGen-Brochure-04-032.pdf (10 November 11). “Storage of Natural Gas.” Natural Gas.org. http://naturalgas.org/naturalgas/storage.asp (11 December 2006). “Types of Fuel Cell.” U. S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. http://eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/fc_types.html
	City of Liberty Essay for TEACH NET.pdf
	Students created PowerPoint presentations to introduce their model cities to the audience. At the beginning of this presentation, there are images of war. These images were displayed as the dancers performed the “War, What Is It Good For” dance. “War” by Edwin Starr was playing while the "War" images were being displayed. The City of Liberty’s team had created a city that did not depend on foreign oil. They felt that the foreign oil supply was the reason for our country's wars..
	Sample+1+City+of+Liberty+Essay.pdf
	Model City: Students constructed models of their future city. NOTE: Mr. Romero, a fellow co-worker, was the primary instructor for the construction of the model cities. I only assisted with this part of the project.
	City of Liberty PowerPoint Presentation.pdf
	Sample+2++PowerPoint+Presentation.pdf
	Sample+3+-+Future+City+Model.pdf