This Inquiry Brief challenges students to analyze Texas’ energy landscape, from its dominant natural gas infrastructure to its booming wind and solar potential. Using real-world data, students evaluate economic and environmental trade-offs, calculate energy transitions, and propose solutions for a cleaner energy future. Perfect for AP-style FRQ practice, this case study connects policy, science, and sustainability in a high-stakes energy debate.
What is an Inquiry Brief?
Inquiry Briefs are compact, targeted case studies designed for assessment purposes, closely aligning with the AP Environmental Science (APES) curriculum. Unlike traditional case studies, which provide background information to teach students before asking questions, Inquiry Briefs present a limited amount of information and require students to apply their prior knowledge - similar to the format of the AP exam. Each of the nine Inquiry Briefs corresponds to a specific APES unit and includes AP-style free-response questions (FRQs), making them effective tools for end-of-unit assessments or end-of-year review. Each brief includes both a student edition and a teacher edition with complete answer keys.