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

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.

OBJECTIVE

By the next class period, students will be able to:

The objectives will require that students be able to:

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