Dams Debate

Time: Two to four 50-minute class periods

Source: Teacher Developed/Other Source

Students will research the dams on their major local rivers. Students will focus on history before and after the dam was built. What was the environmental/population/economical/historical impact of the dam? Students will be divided into teams and will debate the impact of an imaginary dam at a nearby water source. Other students will judge and pick a winner based on the cases presented. Students will practice researching, documenting and public speaking. ** Note! There could be another dam built on the Colorado River to divert water to San Antonio, what would be the effect on McKinney Roughs? This is a great activity that integrates history/social studies!

Information on debating: http://webpages.charter.net/buchsk/msds/weckel-1d.htm

Alternative: Instead of a debate, teachers could have students use the dam research to write a proposal for the new dam. Students present proposals and other students can act as city planners on a review committee.

TEKS: 8.2, 8.3, 8.14, 8.11
TAKS Objectives: 1, 2, 5