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.

Jump to section:

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 inquiry 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.

Alternative: Mini-fermenters are now marketed by Waterford, WI High School. Please mention us if you place an order.

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

Return to Top

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 and/or net greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted during the life cycle production of ethanol from switchgrass, diverse prairie and corn stover. Using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, students model a range of scenarios, starting with data and assumptions provided in the package. This is a flexible quantitative 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: 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

Investigating the Carbon Cycle in Field Systems

Following carbon from the atmosphere to plants to the roots to the soil and back to the atmosphere involves a complex series of interactions. The set of activities below helps students break down components of the carbon cycle to model and measure carbon as it moves through different parts this system.

The activities that follow are broken down into two main categories: atmosphere to plant--with a focus on photosynthesis and carbon sequestration in roots; soil to atmosphere--with a focus on soil microbial activity that decomposes plant material and returns carbon to the atmosphere.

Field Investigation: Biomass Yield and Root Growth In Crops

Field investigations to strengthen student understanding of the ability of plants to sequester carbon above and below ground. Students will measure above ground biomass by harvesting small samples, and root growth using ingrown root-cores. These activities are adaptable to school-yard plots, existing agricultural plots or natural areas.

Package: Biomass Yield and Root Growth In Crops

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Carbon Sequestration In Soils

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.

Package: Root Depth Model

Directions and References

Root Depths of Prairie Plants Banner

Root Depths of Biofuel Crops Banner

Measuring Soil Microbial Activity

This activity examines how soil microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, are involved in carbon cycling. Students design experiments to explore the relationship between microbial respiration rates and soil variables such as temperature, habitat, soil type, and agricultural management choices. Three methods for measuring CO2 released from soil are provided, one in the field (CO2 probe), and two in the lab (CO2 probe and acid-base titration).

Package: Measuring Soil Microbial Activity

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Carbon Sequestration In Soils

Soil Microbes Presentation

Types of Soil Microbes and their Functions in Ecosystems

Sample Data

Poker Chip Model of Global Carbon Pools and Fluxes

This short (15-20 minute) activity provides a way to improve understanding of a commonly published diagram of global carbon pools and fluxes. Students create a scaled 3-D visual of carbon pools and net fluxes between pools with anthropogenic influences.

Global Energy Flows

Students analyze data detailing global energy sources and sinks (uses) and construct a diagram to show the relative scale and the connections between them. Discussions of scale, historical, socio-environmental and geographic variation in this data and implications for future energy use are included.

Package: Global Energy Flows Package

Teacher Instructions and Answer Key

Student Pages

Global Energy Flow Graph Slide Set

IPCC Chapter 4

Energy Consumption by Source Raw Data

The Biodiversity Front Newsletter:

Fall 2008
Spring 2009
Spring 2010
Spring 2011

Return to Top

GENERAL INFORMATIONAL HANDOUTS:

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
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.

Programs Page
A document listing the professional development programs and undergraduate opportunities offered by GLBRC.

Visitor Information
A one page document that lists information about visiting GLBRC on the UW-Madison campus, including lodging and parking recommendations.

Return to Top

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