Middle School Activities

This series of lessons was created by Oregon State University (OSU), for more information please visit the OSU website.

These lessons encompass the topics of bioenergy, biofuels, carbon impacts and life-cycle analysis. Additionally, the lessons meet Next Generation Science Standards. The activities range in time from 30 to 50 minutes. Some of them require more than one class period.

Growing Bioenergy

• Growing Algae for Fuel

• Sustainable Communities, You Be the Judge

• Properties of Soil

• Growing Bioenergy Activity

• Roots and Shoots Activity

 Biofuels

• Making Bouncy Balls to Explore Polymer Chemistry and Biofuels

• Biofuel Trailer Design Activity & Worksheet

• Brewing for Bioenergy

• Generations of Biofuels

• Generations of Biofuels Worksheet

• Generations of Biofuels Flashcards

Bioenergy

• It All Comes Down to Glucose

Coproducts

• Fork it Over! Creating Bioplastics

• Fantastic Bioplastic!

Carbon Impacts

• Carbon Footprint Lesson and Worksheets

• Carbon Video Episode 1: It’s All About Carbon

• Carbon Video Episode 2: Carbon’s Special Knack for Bonding

• Carbon Video Episode 3: Break a Carbon Bond and – Presto! – Civilization

• Carbon Video Episode 4: When Carbon Falls in Love, the World Heats Up

• Carbon Video Episode 5: What We Can Do About Global Warming

• Fuel Comparison Activity

Sustainability

• Exoplanet 1061: A Sustainability Game – Directions

• Exoplanet 1061: A Sustainability Game – Habitat Cards Desert Tundra Rainforest Grasslands

• Exoplanet 1061: A Sustainability Game – Tech Map

• Exoplanet 1061: A Sustainability Game – Tabulation Board

• Exoplanet 1061: A Sustainability Game – Additional Game Cards

• Life Cycle Analysis Mind Map