Can We Generate All Our Electricity from Renewables?
Over two weeks, you'll dig into wind, solar, and the path to a renewable electricity grid. You'll examine global data on energy mix, cost trends, and per-capita consumption — and weigh the tradeoffs that determine which countries and communities actually transition. Week 2 closes with a country research project.
Reading List
Required readings live in the Discussion Board — they must be complete by Tuesday at 11:59 PM AZ. The optional pieces are extensions if you want to dig deeper.
Required (Discussion Board)
Optional Extensions
- Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy — US DOE
- How Does a Photovoltaic Cell Work? — Planète Énergies
- What is the Future of Wind Energy? — CalTech
- Are Wind Turbines a Danger to Wildlife? — The Atlantic
- How Governments Spurred Solar Power — The Economist
- The Dark Side of Solar Power — HBR
Two-Week Plan
Here's the shape of the two weeks. Your guide will set exact timing for your section.
The Week Begins
Complete the Discussion Board reading by Tuesday at 11:59 PM AZ. We'll introduce the central question, the seminar Rules of Engagement, and the shape of the two-week arc.
Land in the Discussion Board
Five-minute Discussion Board mindful moment: read at least one article and post a comment, then paste it into your notebook. As a whole group, we'll discuss what each cohort's Discussion Board thread is talking about.
Free Write, Then World Renewable Energy Trends
Mindful moment: "Which form of renewable energy holds the most promise in the future, and why?" Then we'll walk slides 4–8 together to establish what the data shows about global energy generation and recent growth rates.
Small groups: one focuses on wind (slides 8–9, 14–15, 17), the other on solar (slides 10–12, 29, 31). Each group reports back; everyone takes notes.
The Power of Wind
Six-minute yoga energy break. Then we'll watch the video on slide 16 and walk slides 16, 19–27 as a group. Discussion prompts include: where does the power in your home come from? What are the positives and negatives of wind? How does the US compare globally? How does land use become an issue, and how might we remedy it?
Self-Evaluation
Use the participation rubric (it's at the end of your notebook) to score yourself on the week. Explain your scores in the notebook.
Keep Momentum
Reading from Week 1 carries forward. Reflect on the wind data from last week before diving into solar this week.
A Closer Look at Solar Power
Small-group data work across slides 29–43, divided among four groups (29–32, 33–36, 38–40, 41–43). Each person speaks when their group reports back. Use the "Group Notes" page (slide 13 in your notebook) to capture takeaways.
Country Research Project
Mindful moment: "Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of energy? Why?" Read slides 44–45 for ideas.
Your group will research one country's approach to renewables: what they're doing, where they're investing, what timeline, how supportive their citizens are, what's driving the shift. Country options include the Netherlands, UK, Canada, UAE, Japan, Germany, China, or another of your choosing (with guide approval). You'll present on Thursday — every member speaks.
Country Presentations & the Big Question
Mindful moment: "After two weeks of study, do you think we can generate all of our electricity with renewables? Why or why not?" Free-write before presentations.
Each group shares. As audience, note which presentation stood out and why, five things you learned, and any lingering questions.
Notebook Submission & Self-Evaluation
Notebook is due by end of day Sunday. Self-score the second week using the rubric and reflect on how your thinking has shifted (or hasn't) across the full two weeks.