Jefferson HS
Ms. Hayes's Lessons and Projects
Teacher Resource Page — Black Mesa
Expanded Webquest — Black Mesa
The Effects of Peabody Energy Corporation on Black Mesa
a mini-webquest created by Sara Hayes
Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion
Background
The land, it has been changing, all because of the constant quest for more energy. Peabody Energy came to Black Mesa Arizona to strip its vast mineral resources to answer this quest. Since the mid-1960s, a never-ending nightmare has visited the land and the people who live there, the Dine'h and traditional Hopi. No one and nothing are taken into consideration. All that matters is the money to be made from the rich deposits of the low sulfur coal, a cheap form of energy. Nothing is said of the destruction to the land and its effects upon the People. Is this right? Is there a future for those who live there, or will they see their sacred lands destroyed in the name of progress?
This webquest meets the California Language Arts Content Standards for both research and technology, and writing historical investigation reports.
Note the black areas on this photograph to see how
widespread
Peabody Energy's strip mining is on Black Mesa.
The purpose of this mini-webquest is two-fold. The first is to introduce you to the use of the internet which will be used in another project later in the semester. The second is to give you a chance to complete research about something relatively kept out of the news, the effects of Peabody Energy on Black Mesa, the home of the Dine'h and traditional Hopi. You will be responding to this topic in a short argumentative paper with documentation that will be written with the other members of your group.
You will have three days in the computer lab to complete your research so use your time wisely.
1. You will be assigned to a small group (3 to 4
students) to complete this webquest. 2. Please note the following before beginning your
research. Be sure to record the following information about each
site you visit so that you will be able to provide the necessary information
for your references page. You will need the author (webmaster) of
the page, the latest date present on the page, the date you visited the
page, and the url. So, the first thing you should do is write this
information down before reading and / or taking notes. 3. You should organize your
notes according to the following topics: 4. For a general background about Black Mesa, visit
The Black
Mesa Syndrome: Indian Lands, Black Gold. Read this information
available at this site carefully, and take good notes. Do not copy
the information. Try to summarize it or paraphrase it unless you
intend to quote something in the final product. Everyone
should read the information at this site. 5. The following are only a few representative sites
of those available on the internet about the effect of Peabody Energy
on Black Mesa. Each group member should choose at least three of the web
sites below to determine this effect. The chosen sites should be
different from those visited and studied by other group members.
Read each one carefully, and take careful notes. 6. Meet with your group members and discuss the information
you have found. Your task is to write a short argumentative/persuasive
essay that relates to a minor theme under study in this unit, consumerism
and technology, wealth or waste. This essay should reveal the group's
collective thoughts from the research as well as provide documentation
to support the point of view given. The primary goal of this assignment is to interpret the information
gleaned in your research, and form opinions about the effect of Peabody
Energy on Black Mesa and its inhabitants, the Dine'h and traditional Hopi.
What does the future look like if Peabody continues its strip mining in
the area? What specifically are the effects? Is what is happening
there a result of technology gone awry? Has the demand for technology
caused all to lose sense of what is really important? These and
other questions will arise in your investigation. Of course, all
opinions and interpretations should be supported by hard evidence found
in the research part of this assignment. Once you have taken your
notes, your task is to write your paper, four to seven pages in length.
The finished product should include the following: a title page,
your essay, and a reference page. Should you need to refer to the correct format for your references
page as well as documentation for quotes used in your paper, please visit
the following link: 7. Reflect on the process you have followed to complete this
webquest as well as on what you have learned, and write a brief description
/ reflection. This should be at least a page in length and
is due at this webquest's conclusion. Your group's finished project will be graded
according to the following rubric located at the link below: The future for Black Mesa and those who live there, the Dine'h
and traditional Hopi, is uncertain as Peabody Energy continues to use the
N-Aquifer to slurry its coal. The drought in Arizona makes things even more perilous. Presently
Peabody Western Coal has closed the Black Mesa mine yet their attempt to acquire
a Life of Mine permit is still in process. Current news articles have presented
information that the Mohave Generating Station, the power plant that Black
Mesa Mine coal fuels, will be closed temporarily so that it can make the necessary
changes to meet environmental standards for operation. Future actions can
be taken to lend a voice to protecting these sacred lands. With the
information learned from this webquest, knowledgable letters can be written,
supporting those at Black Mesa and their quest for survival. You may
want to seriously consider writing them to help. Those to be contacted
can be found in some of the web sites you have visited. Jefferson HS
graphics from Silverhawk's Creations (August 23, 1999), and from BoPeep@hoganview.com (January 29,
2001)
Using American Psychological Association (APA) Format
Ms.
Hayes's Lessons and Projects
Teacher Resource Page — Black Mesa
Expanded Webquest — Black Mesa
copyright © S.
Hayes, March 22, 2001
updated30 November 2005
