Curated OER
Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
Curated OER
Transportation Fuels: What Car Will You Drive?
How many different types of biofuels are out there? Seventh graders watch a series of videos and participate in a series of activities in order to better understand all the transportation options available. They consider what type of car...
Curated OER
Ethanol Fermentation
Biofuel is a possible form of clean and renewable energy. Engineering explorers observe the fermentation process, and then alter the temperature to discover the effect on fermentation. The plan is complete with materials, procedures, and...
Scholastic
Study Jams! Renewable Fuels
A single slide introduces each of the following renewable energy sources: hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, solar, tidal, and biomass. This provides a succinct overview that you can use as a visual aid when you first introduce alternative...
Curated OER
Coco Locomotion
Technology tutees read a description about coconuts and how they are used to make biodiesel fuel. Note that the link to the article does not work, and the article does not appear to be available online. There are, if you look for one,...
Curated OER
The Biofuel Project: Creating Biodiesel
Students research about the processing of biodiesel fuels. In this energy lesson plan, students produce their own biodiesel using used and new vegetable oil. They discuss the environmental and economic benefits of using biodiesel.
Curated OER
BioFuels: The Chemistry and Economics of Alternative Fuels
Junior chemists manufacture biodiesel in the lab. In this exercise, they check the purity of the biodiesel using thin layer chromatography. They also calculate its density and heat of combustion. They are sure to rise to the challenge...
Curated OER
Biomass Energy
Consider biomass as an alternative energy source with this PowerPoint. Environmental science pupils discover the potential of converting gases produced by landfills into useful energy. They compare and contrast environmental and economic...
Green Learning
Build Your Own Biogas Generator
Where this is not exactly a lesson plan, it is a terrific outline of how to generate biogas from an animal manure sample. If you are up for the challenge, the generator can be built by your class as a concluding project at the end of an...
Curated OER
Plant Science Introduction
A unique PowerPoint explains the basics of plant science. It motivates viewers to study plant science and then lists different food products, biofuels, fibers, timber, and ornamental uses of plants. It concludes with lists of careers...
Curated OER
Energy Crossword
In this energy worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by filling in the terms associated with the 15 clues given. Students review the different types of energy sources.
Curated OER
The History of Ethanol in America
Sixth graders explore and examine the production of biofuels from the 1850's to the present. Included in their research is Henry Ford, ethanol, World War I and prohibition. They explain the importance of grains and grasses for the...
![Biotechnology Institute: Your World: Biofuels: Energy for Your Future [Pdf] Article](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Biotechnology Institute: Your World: Biofuels: Energy for Your Future [Pdf] Article")
Biotechnology Institute
Biotechnology Institute: Your World: Biofuels: Energy for Your Future [Pdf]
Students can read this full-length download of the biotech magazine which discusses how biofuels could be the energy of the future, and meet all our energy needs.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Biofuels and Bioprospecting for Beginners
Biofuels can provide energy without the reliance on environmentally harmful fossils fuels, but scientists are still searching for a plentiful source. Craig A. Kohn demonstrates how cellulose, the naturally abundant tough walls of plant...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Burning Biofuels: Comparing Nonrenewable and Renewable Fuels
Will using agrofuel offer a substantial alternative to using fossil fuel? With this experiment you can compare the amount of heat energy released by agrofuel and fossil fuel. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Biodiesels: Converting Oil Into Clean Fuel
Experiment making biodiesel from different types of oil and determine which oils give the best result. This science fair project from Science Buddies, although in an abbreviated format compared to other Science Buddies experiments, gives...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Diesel Smells Sweet!
Fess up. Faced with the morning craving for caffeine, do you, with trembling hand, pour that first delicious, nutritious cuppa joe, and then just trasho the soggy coffee grounds?
Other
Lehigh University: Energy
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school students centered on the world's energy sources. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about energy sources, production, and consumption.
PBS
Pbs: News Hour: Alternative Fuels
This PBS science report on alternative fuels focuses mainly on ethanol. Multimedia features include a video from the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer [11:13], an interactive car comparison, and further reports on ethanol and other biofuels....
US Department of Energy
Us Department of Energy: Creating Biofuel and Mitigating Waste [Pdf]
A 36-page lesson plan unit where students create biodiesel from waste and clean vegetable oil, analyze the biodiesel fuel and purify it, as well as create soap from glycerin. They are also asked to prepare a presentation on their work...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Great Algae Race
In a multi-week experiment, student groups gather data from the photobioreactors that they build to investigate growth conditions that make algae thrive best.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Digest Your Food!
In a multi-week experiment, student teams gather biogas data from the mini-anaerobic digesters that they build to break down different types of food waste with microbes. They compare methane gas production from decomposing hot dogs,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Biorecycling: Using Nature to Make Resources From Waste
By studying key processes in the carbon cycle, such as photosynthesis, composting, and anaerobic digestion, students learn how nature and engineers biorecycle carbon.
Other
The Plant Cell: Teaching Tools in Plant Biology: Why Study Plants?
Plants are essential for all life and development. Teach your students about this incredible lifeforce with this teaching guide, lecture notes, and PowerPoint presentation. [PDF]