Nuclear energy is subject to intense debates over safety, cost, and long-term effects. Are the potential risks of nuclear power generation outweighed by the benefits in terms of reduced pollution and emissions from greenhouse gases? This 60-minute lesson plan, appropriate for middle school science, social studies, or language arts classrooms, engages students in discussing these complex problems. Students take on roles as members of the community of Solutionville, debating whether to support the construction of a nuclear power plant in their town. The debate requires students to synthesize information from credible sources and weigh the pros and cons of nuclear power versus fossil fuels. On the page linked above, middle school teachers will find an overview of the lesson activities, materials to prepare and use during the lesson, and links to additional resources. Further, the lesson content is aligned with NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas and Science and Engineering Practices, in addition to Common Core English Language Arts standards. This lesson plan was created by the California Academy of Sciences (previously featured in the 08-20-2021 Scout Report), a San Francisco-based non-profit dedicated to regenerating "the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration."