Science of Biofuels – Computation

Summary

Four multi-step computation problems put students to work with real biofuel data, calculating land savings, water reduction, energy output in BTUs, and acreage needed to match petroleum diesel. Each problem requires students to show their work and applies math skills to genuine trade-off scenarios involving switchgrass, sugarcane ethanol, and cellulosic production. A strong fit for a high school energy unit, APES, or a math-integrated science class.