Introduction to Bioenergy

CenUSA Bioenergy High School Curriculum

Lesson 1
Video: CenUSA Bioenergy Overview
 What is Bioenergy?

Plant oils or sugary/starchy parts of crops Trees, wood chippings, or straw

Animal waste
Waste cooking oil

Algae oil
 What Other Kinds of Renewable
Energy Can You Think Of?

Biodigester for electricity or vehicle fuel production Hydroelectric

Wind turbines
for electricity
production Solar panels for electricity production Geothermal for heating and cooling
Why Use Bioenergy?

Gas shortage sign in

Bus running on soybean diesel
Connecticut during energy crisis
(www.eere.energy.gov)
©Owen Franken/Corbis
How Has Bioenergy Been Used
Historically?

Wood burning steam locomotive

Wood burning stove

CenUSA Bioenergy
Curriculum Overview
Lesson Title
Lesson 1: Introduction to Bioenergy
Lesson 2: Carbon Cycle
Lesson 3: Photosynthesis
Lesson 4: Nitrogen Cycle
Lesson 5: Fermentation
Lesson Description
Gives background and purpose of
CenUSA Bioenergy project; gives brief
overview of bioenergy, renewable vs.
non-renewable energy.
Explains the carbon cycle and potential
impacts it could have on the
environment if disrupted.
Defines role of plants in carbon cycle;
detailed discussion of light-dependent
and light-independent reactions; lab
activities investigate chlorophyll and
transpiration.
Discusses natural and anthropogenic
nitrogen movement through soil, water,
and air; lab activity has students analyze
variables associated with erosion
associated with nitrate leaching.
Outlines the steps involved in
fermentation and how biological
enzymes are used to convert sugars into
ethanol; lab activity will have students
compare fermentation outputs of
different feedstocks.
Curriculum Overview
Lesson Title
Lesson 6: Corn to Ethanol
Lesson 7: Soybeans to Biodiesel
Lesson 8: Biomass and Biochar
Lesson 9: Second Generation Biofuels
Lesson 10: Perennial Grass Development
Lesson Description
Appraises the use of corn for ethanol production
and its impact on the environment, industry, and
land use; lab activity has students complete the
initial steps of the wet milling process by
extracting starch.
Examines the impacts on the environment and
industry due to soy production for food and
biofuels; lab activity introduces
transesterification as a biodiesel production
method.
Reviews biomass in the context of fuel usage,
contrasts biomass and fossil fuels, introduces
biochar and potential uses; lab activity results in
creation of mini-pyrolyzer and biochar
production.
Introduces the concept of second-generation
biofuels made from cellulose; lab activity has
students compare and contrast different
cellulosic feedstock and their sugar output by
performing hydrolysis.
Describes the process of feedstock development
through breeding and selection; lab activity has
small groups of students complete a plant
breeding simulation.
Curriculum Overview
Lesson Title
Lesson 11: Countries Using Bioenergy
Lesson 12: Economics of Bioenergy
Lesson 13: Environmental Impact of Bioenergy
Lesson 14: Careers in Bioenergy
Lesson Description
Presents a picture of bioenergy usage around the
world, potential for future usage, as well as pros
and cons of worldwide adoption of bioenergy;
lab activity has students create bioenergy action
plans for international countries.
Outlines potential economic impacts of
bioenergy on numerous stakeholders, including
food and industry; lab activity is a role-playing
activity that simulates a congressional hearing
about the future of biofuels in the United States.
Examines potential environmental impacts, both
positive and negative, as a result of increased
bioenergy usage; lab activity has students make
decisions as farmers that have short-term and
long-term economic and environmental impacts.
Concludes the curriculum by illustrating the
diverse nature of potential careers in bioenergy;
lab activity has students explore different careers
by assuming the identity of a bioenergy
professional.
Fueling The Future
Student Review Questions