# 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.

## 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

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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