Grades 9-12. What is ethanol? How much corn is dedicated to ethanol production? Why should corn be used to produce ethanol?

In the U.S., fuel ethanol production primarily utilizes corn, converting its starch into simple sugars for fermentation by yeast, yielding ethanol and byproducts like animal feed and CO2. This process, centered on fermentation, transforms sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide, with about half a pound of ethanol produced per pound of sugar. Corn's high carbohydrate content makes it an efficient feedstock, allowing for the production of around 2.8 gallons of ethanol per bushel. Ethanol production not only uses the starch but also generates distillers grain, enriching livestock feed with remaining nutrients. Notably, 40% of U.S. corn goes towards ethanol production, enhancing energy independence by reducing oil imports, with 14.3 billion gallons of ethanol in 2014 offsetting 512 million barrels of crude oil. Ethanol's production energy primarily derives from solar energy captured by corn, with its energy output exceeding the fossil fuels used for its cultivation and processing by 20-40%. Additionally, ethanol offers environmental benefits, including a 10-20% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to gasoline, equivalent to removing 20 million vehicles from the road, highlighting its role in sustainable energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This learning module includes 7 lessons and/or activities.

How can fermentation help to create renewable fuel sources? Use the engineering design process to learn what enzyme action can do and test to determine the role of each variable in the fermentation process.

Grades 7-12. Why is corn a valuable crop? How does corn grow, pollinate, and produce kernels? What farming techniques are important to increase corn yield?

Corn, originating in the Americas, has been cultivated for about 7,000 years. It's a staple grain, alongside wheat and rice, significantly used for human consumption (corn meal, oils, syrups), livestock feed (64%), and in manufacturing (nylon, bioplastics, ethanol). Cultivation involves strategic planting, pollination by wind, and careful soil management for high yields. Each year, over 80 million acres in the U.S. are planted with corn, which is then harvested and processed for various uses, including renewable fuel.

This learning module includes 6 lessons and/or activities.

Grades 9-12, Biology. Take part in a virtual lesson to learn more about how technology impacts corn growth and yield. See how seed population and corn growth influence yield, then take part in a yield prediction lesson to estimate yield at harvest.

Is it possible to reach net zero in carbon intensity with ethanol production? Meet industry experts and learn more about how ethanol is making our environment better through positive energy, decreasing carbon intensity scores and greenhouse gas emissions, and adding valuable livestock feeds to the market.

How is farming a system? What are the inputs (fertilizer, pesticide, seed) and outputs (crop yield, emissions, runoff)? What impact does soil as a storage have on the consequences of these inputs and outputs?

Systems thinking, applied in business and environmental science, examines the interconnected parts of a whole, categorized as inputs (external additions), outputs (productions), storages (reserves for future use), and flows (movement of matter and energy). In agriculture, inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and water interact within the soil system, influencing crop production. Soil composition—sand, silt, clay—along with nutrient levels (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and pH, affects plant growth. Mismanagement, particularly over-fertilization, can lead to cultural eutrophication, creating "dead zones" in water bodies by depleting oxygen, crucial for aquatic life.

This learning module includes 9 lessons and/or activities.

Take part in an interactive career panel with Heather Raymond, Director of Water Quality Initiative at The Ohio State University; and Logan Haake, Ag Products Manager, and Paige Fitzwater, Intern, who both specialize in 4R Nutrient Stewardship with Legacy Farmers Co-op in Northwest Ohio.

Meet the Yoders as we tour their central Ohio farm and learn about how they implement sustainability practices. See how farming practices have changed over the past 40 years in order to increase yield and improve soil and water quality for the future. Discover how cover crops and no-till farming encourage soil health, capture carbon, and improve water quality.

Meet Jim Love and Sheila Downey from Becks Hybrids as they take you on a virtual field trip to showcase how precision technology in agriculture helps farmers make better decisions to improve yield and increase profitability. Learn what drones can do and how they are used! See how data is collected to help inform farmers' decisions on crop growth and potential inputs as they discuss how technology is changing agriculture.

What are GMOs? How is genetic modification done? Can genetic modification help to reduce the impact of human activities on natural systems? Plasmids are DNA that determine the traits of bacteria. Transform bacteria by inserting a plasmid and examine the results of this transformation. Compare this process to the techniques currently used in food production.

How does the production of corn affect water quality? How is water quality tested?

Corn production's impact on water quality has improved due to best management practices, reducing sediment and nutrient losses significantly. Modern agriculture uses genetically modified crops and efficient water infiltration methods, alongside USDA programs and the 4 Rs nutrient strategy, to lessen environmental impact. Water quality is assessed through chemical tests measuring properties like dissolved oxygen and nutrients, essential for aquatic life. Biological assessments, based on vertebrate and macroinvertebrate diversity, indicate water health, reflecting the ecosystem's chemical and physical condition. Riparian zone management, affecting stream structure and temperature, plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality, highlighting the interconnectedness of agricultural practices and aquatic ecosystems.

This learning module includes 6 lessons and/or activities.

This choice board, created from Google Slides, includes 15 different eBooks and articles about figurative language. These eBooks and articles will help build background knowledge on Ohio's Learning Standards for 4th-6th grade English Language Arts. Share this choice board directly with students and allow them to choose the eBooks or articles they would like to read to learn more about the topic.

This choice board, created from Google Slides, includes 15 different eBooks and videos about saving and investing money for high school students. These eBooks and videos will help build background knowledge on Financial Literacy standards. Share this choice board directly with students and allow them to choose the eBooks and videos they would like to read and watch to learn more about the topic.

Learn how to use and customize the Firefox web browser in this free tutorial.

Lessons include: (1) Getting Started with Firefox. Learn how to download and install Firefox. (2) Browsing with Firefox. Learn how to browse in Firefox. (3) Customizing Firefox. Learn how to customize Firefox. (4) Bookmarking in Firefox. Learn how to bookmark your favorites in Firefox. (5) Firefox Security and Privacy. Learn all about Firefox privacy and security.

In this interactive tutorial, learn and practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and converting fractions.

Lessons include: (1) Introduction to Fractions. Get an introduction to fractions. (2) Comparing and Reducing Fractions. Learn how to compare and reduce fractions. (3) Adding and Subtracting Fractions. Learn how to add and subtract fractions. (4) Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. Learn how to multiply and divide fractions. (5) Converting Percentages, Decimals, and Fractions. Learn how to convert decimals, percentages, and fractions.

In this tutorial, learn what freelance work is and why it's becoming a more common career path for many professionals.

Lessons include: (1) What is the Gig Economy?. Learn all about the gig economy and its impact on today's workforce. (2) The Pros and Cons of Freelance Work. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of freelance work. (3) What is a Temp Job?. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of working a temp job. (4) What is a Temp Agency?. Learn how temp agencies work.

Working as a freelancer and striving to build a successful business could lead to a much more satisfying work life. With the right plan, you can work for yourself and earn a living. This tutorial includes curated videos of freelancers sharing their tips and experiences.

Lessons include: (1) What is Freelancing?. Freelancing is a form of self-employment. As a freelancer, you don't work exclusively for any specific company. This gives you the freedom to live anywhere with reliable internet connection. (2) Temporary Freelancing. The gig economy provides flexibility when people need it most. For example, temporary positions, contract work, and other types of freelancing are excellent options for people who have lost their jobs or are in between jobs. (3) Time is Money. As a freelancer, you’ll need to learn how to make the best use of your time. The faster and more efficiently you work, the more money you'll make. (4) Picking Your Services. If you’re ready to choose which freelance services you’d like to offer to potential clients, here are some important ideas and concepts to help you decide. (5) Freelance Pricing. Setting your price as a freelancer requires that you understand the value of your services. You also need to know your target customers and competitors. After all, you don't want to set your rates too low and undersell yourself or too high you lose potential projects to competitors. (6) Finding Customers. When you're self-employed as a freelancer, you need to figure out how to stand out from the competition. Branding is what makes certain companies stand out, while others fail to connect. (7) Social Media. Market research will also inform which social media platforms you choose to promote your work on because you'll know where your customers are online. (8) Customer Service. Part of great customer service is being there when your customers need you. Being active on social media ensures you're easily found online. Make sure to fill out all of your social media profiles and include links to your other platforms on each. (9) Taxes as a Freelancer. Freelancing is a business. Like any business, you need to pay taxes. Depending on how you register your business, you might not need a business license. Your social security number is your license if you are a sole proprietor. (10) Freelancing Platforms. A freelancing platform is an excellent option for people starting in self-employment. Many of them require you to apply so it's a good idea to have a portfolio of work, resume, and biography or statement ready. (11) Your First To-Dos. In this section, you'll find a to-do list, a Google Sheets spreadsheet template to track keywords, competitors, finances, and more. We also provided a list of handy resource links. (12) Resources. We want to leave you with some freelance resources to get you started. (13) Freelancing Quiz. Take the quiz to see how much you've learned about freelancing!

Get help preparing for the GED with these resources.

Lessons include: (1) GED Prep Resources. Use these resources to help you prepare for the GED exam. (2) GED Alternatives. Learn more about two popular GED alternatives that are available to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

Meet a genetic counselor and envision the possibilities around this in-demand science career that works to improve people’s health.
See the Lab Squad kids’ report for this career in Support Materials +