UTPA STEM/CBI Courses/Environmental Chemistry 1

Course Title: Environmental Chemistry

Lecture Topic: From Corn to Ethanol

Instructor: Tom Whelan

Institution: UTPA

Backwards Design
Course Objectives


 * Primary Objectives- By the next class period students will be able to:
 * Evaluate if corn to ethanol conversion is energetically favorable.
 * Use and understand a bomb calorimeter.


 * Sub Objectives- The objectives will require that students be able to:
 * Think in terms microscopic measurements translated to global scale processes


 * Difficulties- Students may have difficulty:
 * Understanding the difference between delE and delH
 * Determining calculations and data reliability


 * Real-World Contexts- There are many ways that students can use this material in the real-world, such as:
 * Coming up with ideas for using agricultural bi-products to produce fuel.
 * Determining the difficulties and/or uncertainties using ethanol from corn to produce fuel.

Model of Knowledge


 * Concept Map
 * Understand the use of a bomb calorimeter
 * What is the energy content of a kernel of corn
 * What is the energy content of ethanol
 * What are the key chemical components of "stover"?
 * How can you write the chemical equation for stover? For corn?
 * Can samples of corn be used in the bomb calorimeter without drying?
 * Account for the energy needed to dry kernals and stover.


 * Content Priorities
 * Enduring Understanding
 * Understand the purpose of using a bomb calorimeter
 * What are the critical values needed for the calorimeter
 * Important to Do and Know
 * Interpret global processes using micro-scale measurements
 * Worth Being Familiar with
 * Chemical composition of corn and stover
 * Worth Being Familiar with
 * Chemical composition of corn and stover
 * Chemical composition of corn and stover



Assessment of Learning


 * Formative Assessment
 * In Class (groups)
 * Which calorimeter values are critical for getting a valid number?
 * What is corn really made of?
 * Is the energy translation from corn to ethanol meaningful?
 * Discussion of results


 * Homework (individual)
 * Compare your values to literature values for energy content of ethanol, corn kernel, starch, and glucose.
 * Given the number of gallons of ethanol produced annually from corn and the resulting energy yield, how does this compare to the energy required to grow corn?
 * Summative Assessment
 * What are your conclusions regarding the use of corn to produce ethanol?
 * Divide into groups and review each other's data.

Legacy Cycle
OBJECTIVE

By the next class period, students will be able to:
 * Use a bomb calorimeter
 * Understand calculations to get delE

The objectives will require that students be able to:
 * Find out how much ethanol is usually added to gasoline in our area.
 * Find out how much ethanol will be likely added to gasoline in the near future.

THE CHALLENGE

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GENERATE IDEAS

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MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES

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RESEARCH & REVISE

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TEST YOUR METTLE

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GO PUBLIC

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Pre-Lesson Quiz

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Test Your Mettle Quiz
Saldivar.jess 04:33, 6 February 2010 (UTC)Please remember to include the content for the pre-lesson quiz and test your mettle
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