04 Website Design

2023 topic: Alternative energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.)

This event is limited to the first 18 entries

OBJECTIVE & BACKGROUND
Fossil fuels and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions have had a significant impact on the current climate challenge. To provide the electricity that we need, alternative energy sources have become more prevalent across the US. However, alternative energy sources may not necessarily be greener.  How do our assumptions about alternative energy sources stack up with the realities?
This year’s Website Design event focuses on alternative energy.

alternateenergy

Before designing your website, read the reference articles below:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy

https://www.c2es.org/content/renewable-energy/

Event-Specific Requirements
Design a website that will:
 Educate the reader about US energy consumption per person and provide a breakdown of US energy consumption by energy source
 Discuss the different types of alternative energy
 Select three alternative energy sources. For each source:
      Describe its benefits (environmentally, economically, etc.)
      Describe any limitations and shortcomings
      Describe in the US where it is more prevalent, using an interactive map
 Provide relevant chemical reactions and/or processes by which electricity is generated from these alternative energy sources
 Any chemical reactions must include chemical formulas, structures, and reaction conditions

Your website should also:
 Include citations for ALL sources of information, using at least three academic papers and/or science books.
 Be attractive, easy to use, and easy to navigate
 Focus primarily on the content of their website, especially the chemistry -- NOT on distracting "bells & whistles"

GENERAL JUDGING CRITERIA

Chemistry and Research Content  ~50% total

The chemistry of the three selected alternative energy sources and related processes, including chemical reactions and processes

Details as noted above, including both benefits and challenges / concerns for each selection and an interactive map

Interactive map must include numerical representations as well as graphical representations of data, and all data used in the map must be cited.  One map per energy source can be used, or a combined map referring to all three energy sources is an option.  

Research Practices  ~10% total

Includes citations for ALL sources of information

Used at least three non-web resources such as academic papers and science books

Website Design  ~20% total

Site is attractive

Site is easy to use and navigate and information is easy to find

Interactive map works and is attractive

All links work

Students can describe their design process

Presentation ~20% total

Presentation is well-organized

Presenters have a good understanding of both chemistry and website design 

Presenters clearly and correctly answered all questions asked by the judges

 

These guidelines may be clarified or updated as new information becomes available.