2.3 Consumer Benefits From Research
This is a middle school agricultural literacy lesson titled “Consumer Benefits from Research” (Lesson MS.AST.2.3) that explores how agricultural research has benefited consumers, with a focus on the invention and use of biodiesel. Students categorize modern-day conveniences into food, fiber, and natural resources, observe (or conduct) a 12-step biodiesel-making lab, and complete a reporter/expert review activity and critical thinking assessment.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- As a result of this unit the students will… Discuss agricultural research.
- As a result of this lesson the students will… Analyze how agriculture research has benefited the consumer.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
-
- Overhead projector/transparencies
- Prepare a biodiesel sample three to five days in advance
- Pure methanol, 200 mL
- Funnels – 2
- ½ Liter plastic container
- 5.3g KOH lye
- Hotplate
- Soybean oil – 1 L
- Thermometer
- Blender
- 2 L pop bottles – 4
- Box cutter
- Duct tape
- Fresh water – 600 mL
- Plastic Bags
- MS.AST.2.3.AS.A – one sheet per one to three students
- MS.AST.2.3.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.AST.2.3.AS.B – one copy will be cut up and put into envelopes
- MS.AST.2.3.ASSESS.A – one copy per student
- MS.AST.2.3.ASSESS.B – one per teacher
- Lesson Number
- MS.AST.2.3
- Curriculum
- Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum
- Precepts
- F. Continuous Improvement; F4. Adapt to emerging technologies.
- Key Terms
- Fiber, Natural resources, Consumer
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- BS.01.01.02.cAnalyze the scope and impact of agricultural biotechnology in today's global society.
- BS.01.01.03.cAssess the future impact agricultural biotechnology could have on world populations.
- BS.03.02.04.cProduce biodiesel and co-products from biomass.
- BS.03.03.08.bAssess the characteristics of biomass that make it useful for biofuels production.
- CS.06.02.01.aUse proper safety practices/personal protective equipment.
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NL-ENG.K-12.4Communication Skills
- NS.5-8.1Science as Inquiry
- NS.5-8.3Life Science
- NS.5-8.5Science and Technology
- NS.5-8.6Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
- NT.K-12.2Social, Ethical and Human Issues.