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Biomass energy is stored energy from the sun contained in organic materials such as plant matter and animal waste. Biomass is considered renewable because it is replenished more quickly when compared to the millions of years required to replenish fossil fuels. The wide variety of biomass fuel sources includes agricultural residue, pulp/paper mill residue, urban wood waste, forest residue, energy crops, landfill methane, and animal waste.
This chart links energy in homes and industry to crops, wood, wastes, and ultimately to the sun. Using biomass energy moves us toward a sustainable cycle of production and consumption, because biomass is renewable.
Biomass energy closes the carbon loop and prevents greenhouse gas emissions. Converting biomass into energy produces carbon dioxide. As biomass regenerates, it “breathes” carbon dioxide and absorbs solar energy. So when we grow as much biomass as we use for fuel, we reduce carbon dioxide emissions to zero.
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About this Curriculum
In 2003, the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) conducted a survey of 150 high school students. Of the 150 students polled only eight knew the definition of biomass energy. As part of a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Michigan State Department of Labor and Economic Growth Energy Office, MACD has created this curriculum to educate students about alternatives to conventional energy sources and how their choices can affect our environment.
How to use this Curriculum
This curriculum is made up of four chapters. For each chapter there is a student section and a corresponding teacher’s guide. The student section for each chapter contains a classroom exercise, reading material, glossary and a set of questions. The teacher’s guide for each chapter includes a list of benchmarks addressed in the chapter, sample answers to chapter question sets, other classroom activities, and classroom discussion and debate topics.
The classroom exercises are open-ended and presented at the beginning of each chapter with the hope that they will pique students interest in the material that follows. Teachers are encouraged to modify exercises and discussions to fit their individual classroom and teaching needs. The questions at the end of each chapter may be used to assess the students’ understanding of the material presented in that chapter. It should be noted that the chapters address the benchmarks listed but do not necessarily meet all the requirements of each benchmark.
Curriculum
Downloads
Downloads provided
in PDF format
Michigan Biomass Energy Curriculum Project
Funded by:
U.S. Department of Energy
www.energy.gov
Administered by:
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth: Energy Office
www.michigan.gov/cis
Created by:
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, 2005
www.macd.org
Authors:
Ben Purdy
Teresa Salveta
Christy Roman
Sara Slovinski
Special Thanks to the Review Committee:
Marilyn Shy — MACD
Saudia Santure — Consumers Energy
Sally DeRoo — Oakland University
Eira McDaniel — Niles High School
Jeff Auch — Muskegon Conservation District
Tara Egnatuk — Calhoun Conservation District
Maria Davis — Olivet College
Dulcey Simpkins — Energy Office, DLEG
Christy Roman — MACD
Teresa Salveta — MACD
Greg Mund — USDA-NRCS
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