SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING PRACTICES
SAMPLE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, GRADES 9–12
Engaging in Argument
Evaluate the benefits and costs of your household’s participating
in a renewable energy program such as the San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission’s CleanPowerSF. Identify questions you have
about the program, conduct research to find the answers, and
then write a recommendation based on your findings.
from Evidence
CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS
SAMPLE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, GRADES 9–12
Patterns
Model what happens to energy resources over time, using a mixture
of black and white beads in a bag to represent nonrenewable and
renewable energy sources, respectively. Randomly draw a specified
number of beads to represent one year’s energy use, count the
number of each color that you used, and return the white beads to
the bag. Repeat, graphing the results over 20 “years.” Try different
starting ratios of black and white beads or an increasing rate of
energy each year and observe how it affects the outcome.
Scale, Proportion,
Conduct a life cycle assessment of a product you use, such
as a cell phone or skateboard. Include in your assessment the
resources, energy, and labor that go into making, distributing,
using, and disposing of the product. Discuss whether this type
of information should be made available for all products that
we buy or use.
and Quantity
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BIG IDEAS
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Grades 9–12
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SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION