BENERGY Field Report to Ben-bassador

Localize your BENERGY experience — and become a citizen-journalist, a published content creator, and a Ben-bassador.

Final Product: A 50–75 second smartphone video with written script Estimated Time: 2–4 total hours

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Objectives of This Final Project

By the end of this final project, you will learn to:

• Independently research a local or regional government-funded energy project
• Evaluate whether it delivered affordable, reliable, common sense clean energy
• Apply BENERGY course concepts to real-world outcomes
• Practice media literacy and source evaluation
• Create and publish a short, fact-based script and simple smartphone video expressing your findings and conclusions

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Parent/Teacher Role in This Final Project

• Help identify local or regional government-funded projects if needed
• Review research sources for credibility
• Ask guiding questions (not give answers)
• Confirm the project meets requirements before filming

Suggested check-in questions for parents/teachers to ask students:

• What energy promises were made—and by whom?
• How do you know whether it actually powered the grid?
• Is this project reliable without backup power?

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Essential Question

Did taxpayer-funded energy projects in my community deliver the affordable and reliable electricity they promised?

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BENERGY Course Connection

Students must reference ideas learned previously, including:

• The meaning of energy reliability
• The difference between installed capacity vs. actual output of an energy generating facility
• The importance of grid delivery
• The cost impact on households
• Why energy outcomes matter more than intentions

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Part 1: Research, Script, and Produce Your BENERGY Field Report Video

Step 1: Independent Research (1–2 Hours)

Choose one of two available paths:

Option A: Local Project Research

Choose one energy project in your city, county, or state that:

• Received government funding or subsidies
• Was promoted as helping affordability or reliability
• Failed to meet expectations, underperformed, or never fully delivered

The student must document:

• Project name & location
• Energy type
• Funding source(s)
• Original claims (quotes or data)
• Actual performance or outcome
• Evidence of failure or underperformance

Acceptable sources:

• ✔ Government or utility documents
• ✔ Local or regional journalism
• ✔ Grid operator or energy agency data
• ✔ Original press releases (for claims)
• 🚫 Social media or opinion blogs alone are not acceptable

Option B: National Issue Focus

Choose ONE issue to focus on:

• Rising electricity costs
• Grid reliability
• Nuclear energy
• Natural gas and manufacturing
• AI/data center electricity demand
• Energy and national security
• Critical minerals and supply chains

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Step 2: Scriptwriting (45 Minutes)

Script Requirements: 110–220 words, written in the student’s own voice, fact-based with a neutral tone.

Required Sections:

• Opening Hook – Why this project matters locally
• The Promise – What was said would happen
• The Reality – What actually occurred
• BENERGY Analysis – Was it affordable? Reliable? Delivered to the grid?
• Conclusion – What this teaches us about energy decisions

Parent/Teacher Checkpoint: Script reviewed and approved before filming.

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Step 3: Simple Video Production (45 Minutes)

Technical Requirements:

• Length: 50–75 seconds
• Recorded on a phone at HD (1920×1080) resolution
• Student must appear on camera
• Clear audio
• Includes at least two visual supports (photos of the site, article screenshots, charts or timelines, on-screen text or captions)

Simple editing is encouraged but not required.

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Part 2: Submit Your BENERGY Field Report Video to BEN

…and be a published content creator!

Step 1: How to Submit

Use this form to upload your video.

Step 2: Sign the Release Agreement

Follow [this link] to sign our media release agreement. If you are under 18 then you’ll need a parent or guardian to sign.

BEN cannot publish your submitted video without a signed release. Blue Energy Nation (BEN) will publish your video on its website and partner websites for educational and promotional purposes.

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