The Canning River flowing through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
🌿 Environmental Science · Two-Day Research Project

Should the U.S. Allow
Oil Drilling in ANWR?

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge covers 19 million acres of Alaska — one of the most intact Arctic ecosystems on Earth. It may also hold billions of barrels of oil. Your job is to investigate both sides and defend a position.

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Photo: Canning River, ANWR · Wikimedia Commons
The Big Question

You're the decision-maker.

Over the next two days, you'll investigate one of the longest-running environmental debates in American politics. Should the United States allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? There's no easy answer — this project asks you to look at the evidence from multiple angles before deciding.

You'll work independently to research environmental, economic, social, and political factors. Then you'll build an argument and present it — just like a real policy advisor briefing Congress.

Driving Question
"Should the United States allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?"
Learning Goals

By the end of this project, you will be able to…

1
Explain the ecological importance of ANWR and why it's considered one of the most significant Arctic ecosystems in the world
2
Identify the economic and political factors that drive the debate over oil extraction in the refuge
3
Analyze trade-offs in sustainability decisions — including the real costs and benefits of choosing one path over another
4
Construct and deliver an evidence-based argument using the CER (Claim–Evidence–Reasoning) framework
Project Structure

Two days, one position.

Day 1
Research & Investigation
Hook (5 min) — Look at the map of ANWR. What's at stake?
Research Stations — Use the AI assistant to investigate all 4 categories
Record Evidence — Collect at least 4 pieces of evidence total (one per category)
Save Your Notes — Download your research organizer to bring to Day 2
Day 2
Position & Presentation
Choose a Position (10 min) — Allow drilling, limit it, or ban it?
Build Your Argument — Claim + evidence + reasoning + trade-off
AI Coach Review — Get CER feedback before your pitch
1-Minute Policy Pitch — Present your recommendation as if speaking to Congress
Day 1 — Research Stations

Four angles on one decision.

Every group researches all four categories. You'll have an AI assistant at each station that answers your questions and pushes you to think deeper.

🌿
Environmental
  • Wildlife impacts
  • Habitat fragmentation
  • Oil spill risks
  • Climate connections
💰
Economic
  • Oil reserves & revenue
  • Job creation
  • Energy independence
  • Extraction costs
👥
Social
  • Gwich'in Nation
  • Inupiat perspectives
  • Caribou & culture
  • Public opinion
⚖️
Political
  • Federal vs. state land
  • Past legislation
  • Environmental law
  • Energy policy
Your Research Tool

The AI assistant is a guide, not a shortcut.

Each research station has an AI assistant that knows the facts about ANWR. Here's how it works — and what it won't do:

🔍
It will answer your questions
Ask anything about ANWR's ecology, economics, politics, or history. It gives you 2–3 sentences of real, factual information.
💭
It will push your thinking
After every answer, it asks you a follow-up question designed to help you think deeper about trade-offs and consequences.
🚫
It won't write your notes
The AI won't record your evidence for you. After reading the AI's answer, you write the evidence in your own words.
Assessment

How you'll be graded

16 points total, split equally across four criteria.

/4
Research Evidence
At least 4 pieces of factual evidence across all 4 categories
/4
Sustainability Trade-offs
Shows understanding of what each position gives up
/4
Argument Quality
Clear claim, strong evidence, logical reasoning (CER)
/4
Presentation Clarity
Policy pitch is clear, confident, and evidence-based

Ready to start?

Open Day 1 to begin your research, or jump to Day 2 if you're returning with notes from yesterday.

Day 1 Start Researching → Day 2 Build My Argument →