UNIT
7: LESSON 1
A MAP IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
SUBJECT: Language Arts, Music, Dance, Art
OBJECTIVE: Students will develop a "Corn For Energy"
campaign and, in the process, learn many of the benefits of using corn
as a biological, renewable source of energy.
MEASUREMENT: Students will be able to list the five reasons
it is good to use corn for energy. _ It is a renewable resource. It
is healthier and cleaner for the environment. It is good for national
security. It is good for the economy. It is efficient.
BACKGROUND FOR TEACHERS:
In the United States we take energy for granted. From electricity
and heat for our homes, to fuel for our cars, our society is dependent
on it.
We currently rely on fossil fuels for the majority of our energy needs-harvesting
energy that was once captured by plants then trapped in fossilized layers.
We know that fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource, but we do not
know how long they will last.
Graph 1 illustrates rates of energy consumption in our country as compared
to many other countries. We do not know what will happen to existing
reserves when developing countries begin to increase their energy consumption.
It is extremely important that new sources of energy receive support
today, and that they be continually improved. New technologies take
time to develop. The petroleum and petrochemical industries have become
much more efficient over the last 50 years, after billions of dollars
have been spent in research and government subsidies.
The same is possible for energy sources that are renewable and safer
for the environment. For example, technology has already reduced the
cost of ethanol production from corn by over 50 percent in just the
last 10 years. Continued support for research and utilization is an
important key to long-term energy stability.
Several government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy,
many private industries, and several farmer organizations have agreed
on a vision, called VISION 2020, that seeks to enhance U.S. economic
security through renewable crop-based resources of energy. Their vision
for supplementing U. S. energy needs in 21st century is illustrated
in Graph 2. The complete report is available at www.ncga.com.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
1. Ask students to read the story Hugh Buys
a Car, emphasizing the radio announcer's description of the "vegetable"
car, and Hugh's responses. (For example: "HE knew how to grow corn"
and "could help provide the world with the materials and fuel that would
build great economies." and ".it was a good thing for a country to be
able to grow its own raw products.")
2. Provide the following "Fact List" about corn as an energy source.
Younger students can learn the five key points. Older students will
want the complete set of facts! (Example 1)
3. Explain that a campaign is a "group of activities focused on a special
purpose." Discuss several kinds of campaigns. (For example: a political
campaign, sales campaign, or advertising campaign).
4. Discuss methods of conducting a campaign such as
- interviews on TV, radio, newspaper, magazines
- ads on TV, radio, newspaper, magazines
- bumper stickers
- educational programs
- letters
- phone calls
- personal visits
- testimonials
5. Discuss the importance of keeping a campaign message simple and
very focused. Ask students if they can explain why this is important
(For example: people are busy, there are too many other messages to
sort through, you don't want anyone to be confused, it needs to be simple
enough to remember, etc.).
6. Ask students to list examples of campaign (or advertising) slogans
they think have been effective.
7. Discuss how to measure the success of a particular campaign. (For
example: people buy the product, elect the candidate, change their habits,
etc.)
8. Then ask students to complete one or more of the following:
- Write a slogan that encourages people to use "Corn for Energy!"
(For example: "Corn Power!" "Tilling, not drilling!" "BioEnergy
is Better!" "Corn Cleans the Air!" "Ethanol is A-Maizing!")
These slogans can be CORNY!
- Use this slogan to create bumper stickers or posters.
- Incorporate this slogan into any of the following projects.
- Create a radio, magazine, or television ad campaign, using art,
music, or movement to convince people to use "Corn For Energy!"
- Role play-One student can be the "campaigner," another student the
"consumer who needs to be educated or convinced" of the benefits of
"Corn For Energy!" They can conduct sale pitches, interviews, telephone
polls, etc.
- Write a poem or song that can be used in a "Corn For Energy!" campaign.
- Older students can write an educational program for preschool or
grade school students that incorporates the "Facts" and uses art,
music, speeches, stories, etc. to teach "Corn For Energy!" concepts.
- Convince a local politician or political action group to take up
your cause with a "Corn For Energy!" public campaign.
