HELP WANTED: BOTANIST TO SAVE THE EARTH  1970's Oil crisis 1970's Oil crisis 1970's Oil crisis  2010 Gulf Oil Spill 2010 Gulf Oil Spill 2010 Gulf Oil Spill

CURRENT SITUATION  Due to the gulf oil spill, dependence on foreign oil, and other political and economic factors, gas prices have begun to sky rocket in the United States and around the world.  Current photovoltaic cell technology is inadequate to supplement and eventually replace the worlds energy demands. photovoltaic cellphotovoltaic cell

JOB DESCRIPTION  The fate of the world is dependent on botanists like you. You must figure out how plants can produce their own food and energy through the process of **photosynthesis** and apply that knowledge to producing a more efficient photovoltaic cell. botanistsphotosynthesis botanistsphotosynthesis **Click on “video link” watch photosynthesis history video

PROJECT  Your team has exactly one week to come up with a power point proposal to present to the president of the United States (principal of the school). The winner of the proposal contest will receive a government grant in the amount of 1 billion dollars (50 bonus points to use as you see fit) to develop this new technology.

CENTRAL QUESTIONS  How are photovoltaic cells and the process of photosynthesis alike and different?  How can an understanding of plant photosynthesis be used to develop better photovoltaic cells?

GROUP ROLES ( ( ( ( ( DDDD aaaa yyyy # # # # 1111 ))))  Investigator (Photosynthesis)  Investigator (Photovoltaic Cells)  Power Point Design Specialist (PPDS)  Presentation Organizer  All group members will collaborate on what parts of photosynthesis can be used to improve photovoltaic cell technology.

INVESTIGATION  Every group member will be responsible for contributing to the research process.  The lead investigators will become the experts on their topic, and will be responsible for compiling the information the group acquires about their topic to give to the PPDS. They are also responsible for making sure their group understands their topic.

INVESTIGATION  Once the group has compiled and understands the information about photosynthesis and photovoltaic cells, the group must compare and contrast the process of photosynthesis to the production of energy by photovoltaic cells.

INVESTIGATION  After comparing photosynthesis and photovoltaic cells, the group will propose a model of a more efficient photovoltaic cell using photosynthetic concepts. This part of the project can and should be creative. You must, however, work within the realm of possibility when creating your photovoltaic cell.

INVESTIGATION  Finally your group will present your proposal in power point format to the class. The Presentation Organizer will be in charge of assigning parts of the project to present. Every group member must present some part of the project.

DAY #1  Assign group roles group rolesgroup roles  Do Assignment #1 Photosynthesis Assignment #1 PhotosynthesisAssignment #1 Photosynthesis  Create title slide: Name of Proposal, picture or video, group members names  Create slide #2: Overall chemical equation for photosynthesis (use chemical formulas and words), include a picture of a chloroplast.

DAY #2  Create slide #3: Overview of the Light Dependent reaction with picture.  Create slide #4: Overview of the Light Independent reaction with picture.  Do Activity #2: KWWL Photovoltaic Cells ( turn in today) Activity #2: KWWL Photovoltaic Cells Activity #2: KWWL Photovoltaic Cells  Each group member will create a Venn Diagram that compares photosynthesis to photovoltaic cells (turn in tomorrow) Venn DiagramVenn Diagram

DAY #3  Discuss Venn Diagrams and come up with a group Venn Diagram; turn in individual diagrams  Create slide #5: Explain how photovoltaic cells work; include a picture or video clip  Create slide #6: List the similarities between photosynthesis and photovoltaic cells in a chart  Brainstorm ideas about how you can use photosynthesis to improve photovoltaic cells. Turn in ideas

DAY #4  Develop your photovoltaic cell. Draw a schematic on poster paper that describes how your cell works. Be sure to point out what you took from photosynthesis in your design. schematic  Create slide #7: Describe how your photovoltaic cell uses photosynthesis as a model (you will describe your poster at this point)  Create slide #8: Make a final argument about how your cell idea is the best; remember, you are competing for 1 billion dollars (50 bonus)

DAY #5  PRESENTATION DAY!!!!  BE SURE EACH MEMBER OF YOUR GROUP KNOWS HIS/HER ROLE  PRACTICE YOUR PRESENTATION IN YOUR GROUP  REMEMBER THERE ARE POINTS FOR PRESENTATION SO DO YOUR BEST!!

Rubric  Click the Rubric link above to view the grading requirements for this project.  It is very important that you include everything in the rubric so that you can get the maximum number of points for your project.

RESOURCES AND STANDARDS  2010 oil spill stop-the-gulf-oil_n_ html stop-the-gulf-oil_n_ htmlhttp:// stop-the-gulf-oil_n_ html  1970’s oil crisis clip and found on united streaming  Botanist link  History of Photosynthesis video clip  Venn Diagram site  Schematic site  All other websites can be found on the activity links. Both activities are located on the trackstar website. trackstar  The rubric was created on the rubistar website. rubistar  This project covers all standards related to photosynthesis in the Alabama Course of Study and Alabama Graduation Exam.