Biofuels
Readiness
TEKS Objective
Identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.
Essential Understanding
The student knows Earth's surface is constantly changing and consists of useful resources.
Science Background
Biomass: US Department of Energy (website) - Links to news, information, and government programs related to biofuels.
Biomass
US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, www.eere.energy.gov
America’s Advanced Biofuel: Biodiesel (website) - Basic information about the production, use and benefits of biodiesel.
Signature Lesson
Stored Chemical Energy: US Department of Energy (PDF) - Students observe and record their observations of yeast fermentation of sucrose, and then design their own yeast fermentation experiments to identify the potential of sugar ethanol as an alternative energy source. (Activity begins on page 12.)
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Which Has More Heat? US Department of Energy (PDF) - Students learn that different types of fuel produce different amounts of heat energy. (See pages 61-63.)
Which Has More Heat?
US Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov
Make Your Own Biodiesel: Journey to Forever (website) - Detailed, step-by-step instructions for making various forms of biodiesel. (Also available in Spanish.)
Make Your Own Biodiesel
Journey to Forever, www.journeytoforever.org
Renewable Energy Sources: Science NetLinks (website) - Students identify and investigate a variety of renewable energy resources, and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Renewable Energy Sources
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Renewable Energy and Sustainability: InfinitePower.org (PDF) - Students are introduced to the concept of renewable energy and investigate/discuss new ways of generating energy to help our planet become environmentally healthy.
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
www.InfinitePower.org
From Biomass to Biofuels: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (PDF) - Information about how biofuels are produced and how they can be used.
From Biomass to Biofuels
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov
Transportation Fuels Biodiesel: The NEED Project (PDF) - Curricular module that explores biodiesel as an alternative transportation fuel. Includes background information, answer keys and assessment. (See table of contents. P.3 for information and activities most appropriate for your grade level.)
Transportation Fuels Biodiesel
The NEED Project, www.need.org
Assessment Ideas
Have students write persuasive newspaper editorials promoting the use of biofuels in the community. Students should defend their arguments by including information learned through all the lessons on alternative energy resources.
As a possible second step, hold a mock town hall meeting in which students advocate for different alternative energy sources. Structure the activity to suit the needs of your class. It could be a simple discussion, or an assignment for which students make posters and flyers, and dress in costume. In any case, have students discuss and debate various alternative energy sources. Conclude by holding a class vote to determine which type of alternative energy the town will adopt.
Literature Connections
Biofuels (Energy and the Environment). Tabak, John (ISBN-10: 0816070822)
Have Fries, Will Travel! The Adventures of a Veggie-Powered Car & Eco-Rap Star. Hempel, Linda K. (ISBN-10: 0865715491)
Biofuels: Sustainable Energy in the 21st Century. Johanson, Paula (ISBN-10: 1435885503)
Fossil Fuels and Biofuels (Fueling the Future). Raum, Elizabeth (ISBN-10: 1432915681)
A Refreshing Look at Renewable Energy with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Krohn, Katherine E. (ISBN-10: 1429639024)
Additional Resources
Texas’ Renewable Energy Resources: InfinitePower.org (website) - Detailed description and assessment of Texas’ renewable energy sources, specifically biomass.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 5
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