| Summer Science and Math at the U of MN |
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| Bioenergy, Bioproducts and the MCA II | |
Target grades: 6-12
Have you ever wondered about ethanol from starch or wood, biodiesel, biodegradable plastics, bioenergy or other related topics? Your students probably have too. Our 2 weeks workshop will focus on middle school and high school science, presenting new, exciting hands-on experiments and information related to biofuels, bioenergy, bioproducts, recyling and sustainability that you can use to effectively enhance your existing science curriculum. MCA II requirements will be examined; discussions will include how to adapt your existing curriculum and/or include the new exercises to best meet the new requirements. Some of the course activities include: Bio-diesel from vegetable oil (lab), heat value of different energy crops (lab), the ethanol manufacture from corn, cellulosic ethanol and some of the challenges (lecture), fermentation processes (lab), hydrogen and fuel cells (lecture), paper recycling (lab), bio-based composites from agricultural residues (lab), biodegradable plastics (lecture) and others. If you would like a detailed syllabus, please e-mail ulrike@umn.edu.
Course dates and location: July 23 - August 3, 2007
Instructors: Dr. Ulrike Tschirner (U of MN, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering), Beverly Zelinski (Irondale High school), Michael O'Connor (Roosevelt High School).
All course fees, materials, per diem, part of lunches and three graduate credits will be covered by a grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Improving Teacher Quality Grant program. On campus housing for up to three participants is available.
To apply, fill out an application form electronically (www.teachercourses.umn.edu) or contact Prof. Ulrike Tschirner directly. All participants must apply for admission to the course. Applications are due April 15, 2007.