Let's Go Careers Biofuel
Students will watch Let’s Go Career and PBS Learning Media videos on biofuel and biodiesel. The students will complete learning activities about each of the videos. The final assessment will require the students to complete an essay or presentation summarizing how to create biofuels and their benefits.
Lesson Created By: MattieShuler
Essential Question
How is biodiesel/biofuel manufactured and what are the benefits of biodiesel/biofuel?
Grade(s):
- 9
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
Internet
Digital Device for students (PC, Laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or iPad, etc.)
Cloud File Storage (Google Drive, iCloud, One Drive, or Dropbox, etc.)
Digital Productivity Software (Google Suite, Microsoft Office, etc.)
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Paper
Pens
Chart Paper
Markers
Lesson Progression
- Bellringer - Students will brainstorm about how many different types of fuels are available. The students will list all of their answers on the document “Fuels Brainstorming Activity.” (found in the Resources tab). This can be done digitally, printed, or whole-group and writing their responses on large chart paper. The students will share their answers by both submitting their responses digitally and orally. The teacher needs to make sure the students include biofuel in their list, as this will be the big idea of this lesson.
- The teacher will introduce the next activity by reading the overview of the video, "Bio Joe" Renwick, Biofuel | Let's Go! CAREERS” located https://www.knowitall.org/video/bio-joe-renwick-biofuel-lets-go-careers. The teacher will share the document, “Bio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Learning Activity” (located in the Resources tab) with the students (this can be done digitally or printed). The teacher will review the activity so the students know what to expect when watching the video. The students will complete that activity and submit to the teacher. The teacher will use “Bio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Learning Activity Answer Key” (located in the Resources Tab) to check for understanding and provide feedback to the students. The teacher should discuss the answers and video with class.
- The teacher will introduce the next activity by having the students read the background reading document found https://scetv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/envh10.sci.life.eco.biodiesel/converting-to-biodiesel/support-materials/. The teacher will share the discussion questions with the students founds on the same page. The students should be ready to answer the questions while and after watching the video “Converting to Biodiesel” located https://scetv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/envh10.sci.life.eco.biodiesel/converting-to-biodiesel/. The students will answer the discussion questions either verbally or on paper.
- The teacher will introduce the next activity by telling the students that this will focus on the facility operated by “Bio Joe.” The teacher will introduce the next activity by reading the overview of the video, “Green Energy Biofuel 360 | Let's Go! CAREERS” located https://www.knowitall.org/video/green-energy-biofuel-360-lets-go-careers. The teacher will share the document, “Green Energy Biofuel 360 Learning Activity” (located in the Resources tab) with the students (this can be done digitally or printed). The teacher will review the activity so the students know what to expect when watching the video. The students will complete that activity and submit to the teacher. The teacher will use “Green Energy Biofuel 360 Learning Activity Answer Key” (located in the Resources Tab) to check for understanding and provide feedback to the students. The teacher should discuss the answers and video with class.
- Logistics is an important part of Bio Joe’s career. The teacher will introduce the next activity by reading the overview of the video, “Bio Joe" Renwick, Transportation | Let's Go! CAREER” located at https://www.knowitall.org/video/bio-joe-renwick-transportation-lets-go-careers. The teacher will share the document, “Bio Joe Renwick, Transportation Learning Activity” (located in the Resources tab) with the students (this can be done digitally or printed). The teacher will review the activity so the students know what to expect when watching the video. The students will complete that activity and submit to the teacher. The teacher will use “Bio Joe Renwick, Transportation Learning Activity Answer Key” (located in the Resources Tab) to check for understanding and provide feedback to the students. The teacher should discuss the answers and video with the class.
- Culminating Activity - Students will complete a presentation or essay summarizing how biodiesel is made and the benefits of biodiesel. The students can use Powerpoint or Google Slides to create the presentation. They must cite the Knowitall and PBS Learning Media videos in their presentation. The teacher will share the document “Biodiesel Presentation” (located in the Assessments Tab) with the students so they understand the expectations of the presentation. The teacher will use “Biodiesel Presentation Teacher’s Edition” (located in the Assessments Tab) to assess the students’ knowledge of biodiesel and to provide feedback to the students.
Teacher Notes
If you are using a cloud file storage system (Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or iCloud), I would recommend having the students create a digital folder for this lesson to save their notes and student work. It will help with organization.
Fuels Brainstorming Activity
Document for students to brainstorm different types of fuels.
View Resource"Bio Joe" Renwick, Biofuel | Let's Go! CAREERS
Knowitall video about Green Energy Biofuel founder, "Bio Joe" Renwick explains the process for recycles waste vegetable oil and cooking oil into usable, clean biofuel or biodiesel. The biodiesel can be used in vehicles in its pure form.
View ResourceBio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Learning Activity
Student activity to be completed with the Bio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Knowitall Video
View ResourceBio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Learning Activity Answer Key
Teacher's answer key for the student activity to be completed with the Bio Joe Renwick, Biofuel Knowitall Video.
View ResourceConverting to Biodiesel
Support documents for the PBS Learning Media Video from Earth Island Institute's New Leaders Initiative, meet Andrew Azman, a college student at the University of Colorado. When Azman suggested running the university's buses on biodiesel, people were skeptical. But he persevered. He built a processor to convert used french fry grease into biodiesel, and convinced the university to run a campus bus off the fuel.
View ResourceConverting to Biodiesel
In this PBS Learning video from Earth Island Institute's New Leaders Initiative, meet Andrew Azman, a college student at the University of Colorado. When Azman suggested running the university's buses on biodiesel, people were skeptical. But he persevered. He built a processor to convert used french fry grease into biodiesel, and convinced the university to run a campus bus off the fuel. Eventually, this led to all 13 campus buses converting to biodiesel, a commitment from the city of Boulder.
View ResourceGreen Energy Biofuel 360 | Let's Go! CAREERS
Knowitall video when the view will take a 360 video tour of Green Energy Biofuel as the founder, "Bio Joe" Renwick explains the process for recycles waste vegetable oil and cooking oil into usable, clean biofuel.
View ResourceGreen Energy Biofuel 360 Learning Activity
Student learning activity to along with the Knowitall video "Green Energy Biofuel 360."
View ResourceGreen Energy Biofuel 360 Learning Activity Answer Key
Teacher's Answer Key for student learning activity to along with the Knowitall video "Green Energy Biofuel 360."
View Resource"Bio Joe" Renwick, Transportation | Let's Go! CAREER
Knowitall video about Green Energy Biofuel recycles waste vegetable oil and cooking oil into usable, clean biofuel. Company founder, "Bio Joe" Renwick has dedicated years researching and perfecting biofuel production. He explains the transportation and logistic part of the operation that includes a fleet of trucks, each with their own specific function.
View ResourceBio Joe Renwick, Transportation Learning Activity
Student learning activity to be completed while watching the Knowitall video "Bio Joe Renwick, Transportation."
View ResourceBio Joe Renwick, Transportation Learning Activity Answer Key
Teacher's answer key for the student learning activity to be completed while watching the Knowitall video "Bio Joe Renwick, Transportation."
View ResourceStandards
Assessments
Biodiesel Presentation with rubric - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uZ1lLHty03iEVXf_1YPf8hnKGk8IG1lt_TXn...
Biodiesel Presentation Teacher's Edition - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qoMzC2AnLEKft9O6TWOyf0mTqCW3Q5pfUWIA...
