Development of Laboratory Modules to Enhance Inquiry-guided Learning and Implement Biofuel-related Experiments

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Chemistry (12)Development of renewable energy resources is a primary concern for national economic growth, energy security and global environmental protection. Biofuels produced from plant sources are one of the most promising renewable fuel options. Development of necessary technologies for efficient production of biofuels requires a substantial expansion of infrastructure and vigorous research in related areas of science. This project develops teaching materials for a biochemistry laboratory course that incorporates current topics in biofuel research. The new laboratory modules are designed to promote students' independent thinking, critical thinking and reasoning, and learning important concepts in biochemistry through guided inquiry and open inquiry experiments. Such modules are able to encourage active student engagement in their learning by maintaining a focus throughout the entire course on important issues in science and society, specifically the energy crisis and environmental protection. The main intellectual merit of this project is that it integrates a socio-economically relevant topic, biofuel synthesis, with research-based laboratory activities to enhance learning of important concepts in biochemistry. This project has several broader impacts: its goals are to generate interest among minority undergraduate STEM students in energy-related careers that are in increasingly high demand, to train undergraduate STEM students to be competent in various modern laboratory techniques, and to prepare these students for careers in research. A further goal is to promote the development of the next generation of scientists and educators who are going to face the challenge of solving environmental and energy problems.