the oregon state university honors college conducted a class titled "energy matters" in the winter academic quarter of 2014, which required students to synthesize information from various disciplines to foster critical thinking in a given content area. in this case, the content area of the class was science, technology and society, and the honors students were given the chance to enjoy a scholarly experience above and beyond the expectations of a traditional university class. beginning with a review of basic science, thermodynamics, machine design, electrical/mechanical power, and the progression of history as humanity uncovers new forms of energy, the course touched upon major themes that will determine the course of the future. during the early days of the term, the students showed themselves to be unusually gifted technical writers, and they were tasked with writing papers that explore the role energy plays in society. join them as they write about coal, biomass, nuclear reactors, solar power, hydropower, natural gas, wind power, and more in this fascinating collection of works highlighting energy matters.