Educational Materials

The materials below were developed by teachers and professional educators associated with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center with input from our scientists. Many of the techniques described are the same, or closely mimic those conducted by researchers within the Center, with adaptations made as necessary to work within the constraints of the K-16 classroom. Clicking on the title of some activities will bring up a one page overview. Click on the activity image to preview and page through the activity before you download it. Click on a "package" to download a zip file containing all listed materials.

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FERMENTATION AND BIOPROSPECTING ACTIVITIES
SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES
GENERAL INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS AND VIDEOS
MATERIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FERMENTATION AND BIOPROSPECTING ACTIVITIES:

Fermentation In A Bag Activity

This is a demonstration table or interactive activity that GLBRC has done at family-style outreach events such as Science Expeditions at UW-Madison. It appeals to a range of younger children, about ages 5-14 or grades K-8. Prep time and set-up are minimal, and students can carry around their portable experiment if desired. This activity can also be easily adapted for classroom use.

Package: Fermentation In A Bag Package

Fermentation In A Bag Activity

Supplementary Materials

Fermentation Challenge: Making Ethanol from Cellulose

This high school-level lab demonstration and activity will introduce students to the process of fermenting cellulosic biomass into cellulosic ethanol, along with the challenges researchers face in this area. The demonstration uses a Vernier probe or balloons to measure fermentation rates of different feedstocks to begin the discussion of why some carbohydrates are easily fermented by yeast while others are not. Students can design and carry out their own labs to try to improve fermentation rates of various feedstocks.

Package: Fermentation Challenge package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Activities and Worksheets

Supplementary Materials

Mini-Fermenter Instructions

This technical college or college-level material includes instructions for building and experimenting with a laboratory-style fermenter. The minifermenter may be used to run demonstrations or experiments in a classroom. This material is adapted from Madison Area Technical College.

Bioprospecting for Cellulose-Degrading Microbes Description

This high school-college level activity screens for cellulase-producing microbes from environmental samples of the students' choice. Students prepare samples, isolate them on selective media, and screen for cellulase activity. Two methods are provided, one focussing on isolation of pure microbial strains, the other focussing on finding symbiotic communities of microbes.

Package: Bioprospecting Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Activities and Worksheets

Supplementary Materials

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SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES:

Life Cycle Assessment of Biofuels 101 Description

(Formerly Biofuels Sustainability: Assessing Energy and Carbon Balance) This high school/introductory college-level activity considers the sustainability of different transportation fuels. Students are introduced to the concept of a life cycle assessment, focusing on energy and carbon cycling for corn and cellulosic ethanol and gasoline production systems.

Package: Biofuels 101 Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Activities and Worksheets

Supplementary Materials

Supporting materials:
Video: Life Cycle Assessment of Energy
Video: Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon

Quantitative Modeling of Biofuels Life Cycles Description

This activity allows students to compare the net energy life cycle of ethanol production for switchgrass, diverse prairie and corn stover, under different conditions. Using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, students model a range of scenarios, starting with data and assumptions provided in the package. This is a flexible model with many opportunities for modifications depending on the abilities and interests of the students.

Package: Quantitative Modeling of Biofuels Life Cycles Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Activities and Worksheets

Supplementary Materials

Field Investigations: Biomass Yield and Carbon Cycling Description

These activities allow students to measure above-ground biomass, root productivity and soil microbial activity as a way to investigate the role of biofuels in the overall carbon cycle. Appropriate for students from middle school to undergraduate level, studies can be done on existing biofuel plots, natural sites or school gardens.

Package: Biomass Yield and Carbon Cycling Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Field Instructions

Carbon Sequestration in Soils

Field Investigations: Bug Biodiversity and Ecosystem Benefits Description

Student field investigations to explore the effects of biofuel crop production on invertebrate diversity and the effects those organisms have on pollination rates and weed seed predation. Teachers can choose from a suite of six field-sampling methods for investigations of school-yard biofuel plots, agricultural fields or existing natural communities.

Package: Field Investigations: Bug Biodiversity and Ecosystem Benefits Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Sample graphs for field investigations

Biodiversity Front Newsletter

Carbon Dioxide Production in Soil Microbial Communities Description

This high-school level lab and its supporting materials help students quantify how soil microbes such as bacteria and fungi are involved in carbon cycling, and to consider the impact of agricultural soil management on carbon cycling and climate change. After initial discussion and observations, students will design and carry out their own labs that allow them to explore the relationship between microbial respiration and soil variables such as temperature, habitat, soil type, and fertilizer application. Sample data contains 4 tabs with data for nutrients and time, temperature, habitat, and Vernier probe data.

Package: Carbon Dioxide Production in Soil Microbial Communities Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Soil Microbes Presentation

Carbon Dioxide Probe Option

Sample Data

Carbon Sequestration in Soils

Predicting Soil Respiration

Root Depth Model

In this activity, raffia ribbon is used to create a visual representation of the differing root depths in biofuel crops and prairie plants. The wall hanging can be used to promote discussion about plants’ ability to sequester carbon and contribute to soil carbon.

Global Energy Flows Activity

This activity focuses on global energy that is related to human activities. It steps through where this energy comes from (sources); how it used; how it flows from these sources to uses; and what the corresponding losses are. An emphasis is placed on student development of questions in regards to these energy flows. Further detail on global bioenergy is provided. The target audience is high school students and undergraduates. This document is currently under revision through Fall 2010, please check back for updates and changes.

Supporting material:
Global Energy Flows PowerPoint
Energy Flows Data Set
Biomass Energy Flows Data Set
Energy Consumption by Source Raw Data
IPCC Chapter 4: Energy Supply from IPCC

The Biodiversity Front Newsletter:

Fall 2008
Spring 2009
Spring 2010

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GENERAL INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS AND VIDEOS:

Why is it so difficult to create cellulosic ethanol?
A four page handout that discusses the difficulties in creating cellulosic ethanol. Appropriate for high school and college students.

Video: What is cellulose and how is it used to make ethanol?

Carbon Sequestration In Soils
A short reading on carbon cycling, sequestration, and the relationship between agricultural practices for growing fuels and climate change. Adapted from the Ecological Society of America.

Center Overview
A document outlining the areas of research for GLBRC. It defines the areas being investigated, the departments, and the partners of GLBRC.

Bioenergy 101 - Common Vocabulary
A list of words commonly heard while discussing bioenergy with definitions.

Bioenergy Bibliography With Annotations (PDF)
A list of sources created especially for educators. Includes helpful websites and articles with materials for many different age groups.

Educational Materials List
A printable version of the contents of this educational materials page.

Informational Videos List
A printable description of the videos on this website.

About GLBRC Education and Outreach
A one page document detailing our mission, resources, and projects. Also contains contact information for our staff.

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MATERIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY:

Part 1: From Biomass to Cellulosic Ethanol. Depicts the process used to convert biomass (plant matter) into cellulosic ethanol and the improvements needed to optimize these processes. Downloadable 11" x 17" PDF, Browser-Friendly HTML Version