1.3 Ethanol Production – From Then to Now
This is a lesson plan (Renewable Fuels, Unit 1 Lesson 3: “Ethanol Production: From Then to Now”) that teaches students about the history of ethanol, its current importance to the economy and agriculture, and its potential future role. Through an interactive timeline activity, paired teaching, and a summary “weather report,” students explore significant dates in ethanol’s development, current feedstocks and production methods, and emerging technologies like cellulosic ethanol.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Recognize significant dates in ethanol's history.
- Identify ethanol's current state of importance.
- Recognize the impact that ethanol could have on the future.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 75 minutes.
- Materials
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- Writing surface
- Overhead projector
- Note cards for ethanol history cards
- String or rope
- Clothes pins or paper clips
- AS.A – one per student
- TM.A
- TM.B
- TM.C
- Assess. A – one per student
- Precepts
- E. Awareness — E1. Address issues important to the community.
- Resources
- http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_fuel_history.html; http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/history/timelines/ethanol.html
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG. K-12.2Reading for understanding.