1. Nuclear Energy Debates Collaboration of Science and Language
Jim Litz
Tamra Hatch

2. Combining Language and Science
Science Fair
Creating books
Newspapers in class
Local newspaper education page
Persuasive speeches
Combined field trips with language and science components
Debates

3. 4U in the
Missoulian
Bird Books

4. Beginning the Debate Process
Language
Research skills
Guided research
Impromptu speeches
Persuasive writing
Debate practice
Science
Background knowledge
Power Points
Labs
Field trips
Research
Dear Parents,
For the next few weeks in science and language the students will be researching energy issues facing our world today. The culmination of this research will be a debate between homerooms.
The students will be researching issues centered on fossil fuel, alternative energy, and nuclear energy. They will prepare arguments for both sides of the issue
, and at the end will be told which side of the issue they will debate.

5. The advantages of debates
Debating Teaches Many Essential Skills
Using debates in the classroom can help students grasp many essential critical thinking and presentation skills. Among the skills classroom debates can foster are:
* abstract thinking * analytical thinking * citizenship/ethics/etiquette * clarity * cross-examination/questioning * point of view * distinguishing fact from opinion * identifying bias * language usage * organization * personal vs. political values * persuasion * public speaking * research * teamwork/cooperation * many more! * students love debating

6. Title of this year’s debate
Considering population growth, the increasing energy demand world wide, and the environmental degradation that occurs with power production, should some of the additional energy demands be derived by bringing more nuclear power plants on line?

7. Major research topics for the energy debates
Nuclear physics and radiation
Waste disposal
Transportation
Fuel supply, mining, and processing
Safety
Environmental footprint
Fuel reprocessing
Nuclear proliferation
Containment
Location
Issues involved in fossil fuel development - such as global warming, acid rain, particulates, nonrenewable resources
Issues involved in alternative energy development

8. A SMALL SAMPLE OF POSSIBLE RESEARCH SITES
Research – Internet and library Be aware of bias and incorrect information, especially from the Internet.
A SMALL SAMPLE OF POSSIBLE RESEARCH SITES
ABC's of Nuclear Science
Environmental Protection Agency
The Nuclear Energy Institute
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Yucca Mountain Project
State of Nevada
Idaho National Laboratory
- 16k -
High-Level Dollars, Low-Level Sense:

9. Designing a debate unit
Minimum of four possible arguments supporting your position
Facts and statistic supporting your position
Effective counterarguments
Facts and statistics supporting counterarguments

10. Tasks to be completed while teams
are doing research
Assign sides
Select captains
Assign subtopics
Develop persuasive writing skills
Continue research
Pull together main points
Create posters and/or PowerPoints
Fine tune public speaking
Provide debate format
Practice debating skills

11. Debate Rubric http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp304-01.shtml
Category
Presidential Debates
The Senate Floor
Student Council Election
Not Yet
Score 4 3 2 1
Addresses Issues
Always addresses topic
Usually addresses topic
Rarely addresses topic
Did not address topic
Support with Facts
Uses many facts that support topic
Uses some facts that support topic
Uses few facts that support topic
Does not use facts that support topic
Persuasiveness
Arguments clear and convincing
Arguments are sometimes clear and convincing
Arguments are rarely clear and convincing
Arguments are never clear and convincing
Teamwork
Used team member effectively
Equal timing
One member does the talking 75% of the time
One member does the talking 100% of the time
No one talks
Organization
Electrifies audience in opening statement Closure convinces audience
Grabs attention
Brings closure to the debate
Introduces topic and brings some closure to the debate
Does not introduce topic; no closure

12. Lincoln/Douglas Debate Format (Team format lower on page)
1AC (first Affirmative Constructive) – 7 minutes A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic Clearly state the resolution Clearly state each of your contentions     Support with reason and evidence Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the Aff by the Neg – 3 minutes You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning Be courteous Face the audience
1NC (first Negative Constructive) – 8 minutes A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and interest in the topic Clearly state the Negative’s position on the topic Clearly state the Negative’s Observations     Support with reason and evidence Attack and question the Affirmative’s Contentions/evidence Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the Neg by the Aff – 3 minutes   You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a direction to your questioning Be courteous Face the audience

13. Rebuttal Speeches – No new arguments are allowed – new evidence, analysis is ok
 1AR (first Affirmative Rebuttal) - 4 minutes Respond to the Neg Observations – show how they are not as strong/relevant as the Aff Contentions Rebuild the Aff case
 NR (Negative Rebuttal) – 7 minutes Respond to latest Affirmative arguments Make your final case to the audience that the Neg position is superior to the Aff Try and convince the audience the Aff has failed to carry the burden of proof Summarize the debate and conclude effectively and ask for the audience to agree with the Neg position
 2AR (second Affirmative Rebuttal) – 4 minutes Respond to final Negative arguments Summarize the debate and show the audience how the Aff position is superior – and the Aff has     carried the burden of proof Conclude effectively.
                                                                                                                                                                                                        
                                

14. Debates Debates Tuesday, December 20th from 6:30-8:00 P.M.
Please join us on
Tuesday,
December 20th
from 6:30-8:00 P.M.
for our debate over current energy issues.
Friends and family are welcome!
The debate will be held in the multipurpose room at
Target Range School.
Please let us know if you can provide cookies or punch for the evening. Thank you. We are looking forward to seeing you Tuesday evening!
Ms. Hatch and Mr. Litz
I will bring cookies.
I will provide punch.

15. Last Minute Details Enjoy the process and results Judges Location
Dress code
Sound system
Programs
Refreshments
Judging forms
Enjoy the process and results

16. Let’s try our debating skills
Topic 1
Should spent nuclear fuel be reprocessed?
Topic 2
Nuclear waste disposal