Algal Biofuels: An Emerging Renewable Energy
http://kbsgk12project.kbs.msu.edu/blog/2012/08/10/algal-biofuels-an-emerging-renewable-energy/
http://kbsgk12project.kbs.msu.edu/blog/2012/08/10/algal-biofuels-an-emerging-renewable-energy/
Jakob Nalley, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Lesson takes about one 50-min class period. For implementation projection compound microscopes are needed.
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Grade Level
Best suited for middle school.
Regional Focus
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Energy Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- This is a great activity that could be adjusted for a variety of grade levels - elementary thru high school. If students aren't able to collect samples, then the activity can still be modified to remain engaging.
- Activity likely requires guidance for the students by the instructor.
- Students need background information about phytoplankton and chemistry.
About the Content
- Activity introduces algal biofuels as an emerging (and potentially very productive) renewable energy source. All of the scientific information presented via accompanying PowerPoint presentation and other text appears to be written by the developer; other sources and references need to be supplemented.
- Comments from expert scientist:
Scientific strengths: Very good basic introduction to the science of photosynthesis using algae, including the use of group exercises. Good introduction to the process of biofuel production.
Suggestions: In the powerpoint and prezi presentations, carbon dioxide (CO2) required for algal photosynthesis is depicted as coming from smokestacks. This is misleading because the CO2 required for photosynthesis would presumably be available (naturally) without the smokestacks (I assume this is a depiction of a power plant smokestack and burning of fuels, fossil or other). Also, in the powerpoint presentation, the smokestack picture has been 'photoshopped' transforming the smoke plume into the letters CO2. While it's a cute use of photoshop, the great majority of smoke visible from a smokestack is condensing water vapor, and not CO2. As a teaching tool for photosynthesis, the smokestack pictures should be removed and replaced with something indicating that the CO2 simply comes from the atmosphere. Another slide could depict the origins the atmospheric CO2.
About the Pedagogy
- Activity includes 1) a PowerPoint presentation delivered by the instructor, with a script for each slide. Questions are posed to the students but no answer keys or resources are provided to answer the questions; 2) viewing of algal specimens under microscopes are provided - without additional guidance for instructor or students about what to do other than look; 3) Detailed and complex Prezi presentation about biofuel production included. (Suggestion to walk students through the overall diagram and each zoom-in); 4) a game about environmental needs of various phytoplankton species.
