1. Introduction to Bioenergy
CenUSA Bioenergy High School Curriculum
Lesson 1

2. Video: CenUSA Bioenergy Overview

3. What is Bioenergy? Plant oils or sugary/starchy parts of crops
Trees, wood chippings, or straw
What is bioenergy?
Bioenergy is energy that comes from plant or animal material, for example:
-plant oils or sugary/starchy parts of crops
-trees, wood chippings, or straw
-waste oil such as vegetable cooking oil
-animal waste
-oils in algae
Bioenergy is one type of renewable energy, which means that if managed in a sustainable manner, the supply will not be depleted over time. What are other forms of renewable energy students can think of?
Animal waste
Waste cooking oil
Algae oil

4. What Other Kinds of Renewable Energy Can You Think Of?
Biodigester for electricity or vehicle fuel production
Hydroelectric
What are other forms of renewable energy students can think of?
Wind turbines
for electricity
production
Solar panels for electricity production
Geothermal for heating and cooling

5. Why Use Bioenergy? Gas shortage sign in
Connecticut during energy crisis
©Owen Franken/Corbis
Bus running on soybean diesel (
Why should bioenergy be considered as a source of energy?
The majority of the energy the developed world currently uses comes from sources known as fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). These fuels originate from under the land or sea all across the globe. Since it took them millions of years to form, once they have been used they cannot be replaced, and therefore, their supply can run out. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable energy sources. Biofuels are an example of renewable bioenergy that can use much of the existing infrastructure and provide a more sustainable and environmentally responsible fuel source. Two examples of biofuels currently on the market are biodiesel and ethanol.

6. How Has Bioenergy Been Used Historically?
Wood burning steam locomotive
How was bioenergy used throughout history?
Bioenergy is not a new concept. Human beings have been using different forms of bioenergy ever since…well, ever since there have been human beings! Wood has been used throughout history in either direct ways, such as heating homes and cooking food, or indirect ways, such as boiling water to make steam that could then power a locomotive. Humans moved away from bioenergy once fossil fuels were discovered.
Wood burning stove

7. CenUSA Bioenergy CenUSA Bioenergy Project Overview
CenUSA Bioenergy ( is an example of an academic research project collaboration between universities, private industry, and the U.S. government. CenUSA Bioenergy was funded by a USDA NIFA AFRI grant from The primary goal of the project was to research and develop a comprehensive system for the Midwest United States to produce second-generation biofuels using native perennial grasses as feedstock (inputs to the bioenergy system). The figure shows the overall vision of CenUSA Bioenergy.

8. Curriculum Overview Lesson Title Lesson Description
Lesson 1: Introduction to Bioenergy
Gives background and purpose of CenUSA Bioenergy project; gives brief overview of bioenergy, renewable vs. non-renewable energy.
Lesson 2: Carbon Cycle
Explains the carbon cycle and potential impacts it could have on the environment if disrupted.
Lesson 3: Photosynthesis
Defines role of plants in carbon cycle; detailed discussion of light-dependent and light-independent reactions; lab activities investigate chlorophyll and transpiration.
Lesson 4: Nitrogen Cycle
Discusses natural and anthropogenic nitrogen movement through soil, water, and air; lab activity has students analyze variables associated with erosion associated with nitrate leaching.
Lesson 5: Fermentation
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.
This high school classroom curriculum is an output of the Objective 9 (Extension and Outreach) team at Purdue University. Additional outputs from the team include interpretive signage interactive walking tours, a 4-H curriculum, and summer 4-H science workshops.
Over the coming weeks and months, this curriculum of 15 total lessons will provide authentic and experiential learning opportunities giving students a hands-on view of cutting-edge agricultural research topics. This curriculum aims to show how agriculture is the intersection of many different areas of study in STEM fields, from biology, to chemistry, to engineering, and more, thus mirroring the CenUSA Bioenergy project itself.
This overview allows for both students and educators to review and get a feel for what is to come over the coming weeks and months. Any prerequisite knowledge should be refreshed as necessary prior to the implementation of the lesson itself.

9. Curriculum Overview Lesson Title Lesson Description
Lesson 6: Corn to Ethanol
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.
Lesson 7: Soybeans to Biodiesel
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.
Lesson 8: Biomass and Biochar
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.
Lesson 9: Second Generation Biofuels
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.
Lesson 10: Perennial Grass Development
Describes the process of feedstock development through breeding and selection; lab activity has small groups of students complete a plant breeding simulation.
This high school classroom curriculum is an output of the Objective 9 (Extension and Outreach) team at Purdue University. Additional outputs from the team include interpretive signage interactive walking tours, a 4-H curriculum, and summer 4-H science workshops.
Over the coming weeks and months, this curriculum of 15 total lessons will provide authentic and experiential learning opportunities giving students a hands-on view of cutting-edge agricultural research topics. This curriculum aims to show how agriculture is the intersection of many different areas of study in STEM fields, from biology, to chemistry, to engineering, and more, thus mirroring the CenUSA Bioenergy project itself.
This overview allows for both students and educators to review and get a feel for what is to come over the coming weeks and months. Any prerequisite knowledge should be refreshed as necessary prior to the implementation of the lesson itself.

10. Curriculum Overview Lesson Title Lesson Description
Lesson 11: Countries Using Bioenergy
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.
Lesson 12: Economics of Bioenergy
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.
Lesson 13: Environmental Impact of Bioenergy
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.
Lesson 14: Careers in Bioenergy
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.
This high school classroom curriculum is an output of the Objective 9 (Extension and Outreach) team at Purdue University. Additional outputs from the team include interpretive signage interactive walking tours, a 4-H curriculum, and summer 4-H science workshops.
Over the coming weeks and months, this curriculum of 15 total lessons will provide authentic and experiential learning opportunities giving students a hands-on view of cutting-edge agricultural research topics. This curriculum aims to show how agriculture is the intersection of many different areas of study in STEM fields, from biology, to chemistry, to engineering, and more, thus mirroring the CenUSA Bioenergy project itself.
This overview allows for both students and educators to review and get a feel for what is to come over the coming weeks and months. Any prerequisite knowledge should be refreshed as necessary prior to the implementation of the lesson itself.

11. Fueling The Future

12. Student Review Questions