Title: Greener Fuels
Academic Areas: Physical Setting Chemistry
Duration of service: 2 months
Character Virtues: Caring
Service Areas: Public Service Announcement
Service Learning Project Description:
After completing a unit on alcohol production students heard a
rumor that an ethanol plant was being built in a nearby town. There
was an opportunity to provide the community with information concerning
the need for new greener fuels as an alternative to imported oil.
The students decided to put together an informational pamphlet describing
the new facility and its impact on the local economy.
Goals and Objectives
Academic
Learning Goal: Students will be able to describe the process
of commercial ethanol production from locally grown crops.
Standard: MST Standard 4 Physical Setting (Chemistry)
Learning Goal: Students will be able to describe the management
of a commercial ethanol plant
Standard: MST Standard 7 Technological Systems
Service
Community need: Information on the impact of
a new Ethanol Plant
Possible Community Partners: The American Chemical
Association & Local Ethanol Plant operators.
Objective: Students will produce and make available
a booklet on the operation and impact of a new ethanol fuel plant.
Character
Virtue: Caring
Objective: Students will demonstrate their concern
for the local community and the impact a new ethanol plant might
have on the local economy by learning about the plant and its
operation and producing an informative booklet for the community.
Key Activities
Key Planning Activities
1) Researching the process of ethanol production on a commercial
scale
2) Meeting with the ethanol plant managers and engineers
3) Meeting with local farmers involved with the growing of ethanol
crops
Key Service Activities
1) Developing an informative booklet for the community
2) Developing a method of production and distribution for the
booklet.
Key Reflection Activities
1. (oral) Discussing the possible ramifications of ethanol production
on the local economy
2. (written) Journaling the new things learned during the project
3. (performance) Students will graphically design posters to post
around the community
Demonstration Activity
A dedication ceremony will be held with community leaders and
plant management on the day the publication is made available
to the public. Students will also contact local media to cover
the ceremony and submit editorials to local papers.
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