Capstone Essential Questions and Key DataFinal draft

Please use the boxes provided to insert your responses:

Name:
Bill Z.

Project #:
2

Your projects essential question:

How can cities like Boston harness wind power to successfully conserve energy?

Mr. Balicki observed that Boston presents unique challenges to broad scale wind
power implementation. The nature of how Boston gets its power is somewhat
unique. Are all areas of the country created equally for the implementation of
green/renewable energy?

Your projects primary research question:

How has Bostons use of wind power promoted sustainability while still benefiting the
economy, and how can the city harvest this energy source more in the future?
Your projects secondary research questions:

Why is Boston a suitable city for wind energy?

How much money do the wind turbines cost to build and maintain?
How much will they save?
How does the city record how much electric energy it generates every year?
How can Boston reduce its usage of unsustainable energy plants?
What are the benefits and drawbacks of wind power compared to other
forms of clean energy?
In which areas of Boston should wind turbines be built?
How can the general public be convinced that more wind power is
necessary?

How can we gain support from the city and state governments to build more
wind turbines?

A concise description of your project:

My project will consist of two parts. The first will be a documentary that examines the
benefits of wind power and how Bostons history with harvesting wind energy has
affected the city. The film will also look at how the city can improve the efficiency of its
current wind turbines and build more in the future.
The second part will be a report that describes recommendations for how the city can
inform residents about and increase public interest in wind power. In addition, it will
discuss how the citys citizens can work together with the government to generate more
political support and economic investment in this energy source.

Why does your project matter? How does it make a significant contribution to our body
of knowledge? (1-3 sentences)
My project matters because many cities dont realize the potential of wind power to
benefit the economy and reduce environmental degradation. It will add to our body of
knowledge, because instead of only discussing the science behind wind power, my
project will also analyze public relations and policies that will allow renewable energy
sources like wind to thrive.

Bill
A good idea...but somehow we arrive at your documentary and report without having a
clue as to how youll get there. How will you conduct your research, step by step? Is
doing BOTH a documentary and a report too ambitious? If you did both, would they both
be weaker than if you devoted all your energies to just one of these two?
We also think this is a critical issue for the world today--how can we generate
sustainable energy at an affordable cost--and you need to state that clearly and
unequivocally in the Why does this project matter section.
Mr. M and Ms. F.