Resources

In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Loyola University Chicago a People, Prosperity, and the Planet grant of $75,000 to launch a biodiesel educational outreach program to local high schools. The grant was co-authored by STEP: Biodiesel student Luke Beasley.

To fulfill this grant, we promised to use biodiesel production as an educational tool to teach thousands of high school students about biodiesel and renewable energy. Specifically, we committed to:

• Implement an fellowship program which will provide professional experience to Loyola students interested in environmental and science education
• Design and build ReAct (mobile biodiesel processor designed for education), each containing all of the equipment necessary to produce biodiesel
• Set-up each MGEL at a different high school each semester, where students will convert waste vegetable oil from cafeterias into biodiesel
• Empower teachers to use biodiesel as a science and environmental education tool
• Publish a curriculum so that our novel approach to science education can be replicated elsewhere
• Assist interested schools in the design and construction of permanent biodiesel labs

With this two year grant our high school outreach project has:

• Designed and built four (4) MGELs that are currently deployed to partner high schools: Highland Park, Carl Sandburg, Bloom, and Victor Andrew
• Paired each MGEL with a biodiesel powered generator and a deep fryer to enable teachers to demonstrate a closed-loop energy system at school events
• Developed an inquiry-based, hands-on biodiesel curriculum that revolves around understanding biodiesel production in the MGEL
• Hosted two (2) Professional Development Workshops for high schools teachers

Our goal is to provide a comprehensive collection of activities that teach scientific principles through the lens of alternative fuel production. We continue to develop new labs and lessons in the Searle Biodiesel Lab, but we also encourage teachers to submit their ideas to us. Please help us to build a library of biodiesel, alternative energy, and environmental sustainability labs.

Biodiesel Labs - v5 2017 (9 Labs)
Teacher Manual, Student Lab, Data Sheets, and Post Lab Questions Included
Updated: January, 2017

Individual Labs:

• Making Biodiesel - Virgin Oil
  Topics: Making biodiesel, exothermic reactions, products, and reagents
• Making Biodiesel - Waste Oil
  Topics: Utilizing waste cooking oil, titration (acid/base), neutralizing solutions
• Viscosity
  Topics: How to identify and manipulate viscosity and its importance
• Properties of Liquids
  Topics: Differentiate and identify density and viscosity
• Combustion
  Topics: Emissions, completeness of combustion, and how matter is affected
• Biodiesel Reaction Efficiency
  Topics: Principles of efficient reactions and quality control testing
• Making Glycerin Soap — From Biodiesel Glycerin
  Topics: Utilizing waste glycerin and controlling physical properties
• Life Cycle Analysis
  Topics: Diagram life cycles of ethanol and biodiesel then estimate/test/correct various process inputs
• Renewable Energy Debate
  Topics: Identify, evaluate, and debate types of renewable energy

Please e-mail us to learn more about the resources available through our program and feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas: zwaickm@luc.edu.

Complete Plans Available by Request
Parts Lists, Video Build Guide, Operators Manuals, and more.
Please contact us so we can help you design, build, and operate an system that is best suited to your educational goals. 

Developed by Loyola's Biodiesel Program, the ReAct Mobile Biodiesel Processor showcases the entire process of converting used cooking oil into biodiesel on a self-contained cart approximately the size of a wagon. ReAct provides an easy-to-use, hands-on learning experience for the high school classroom.

Features and Benefits

ReAct was designed by and is supported by students in the Loyola Biodiesel Program. Their own hands-on experience making biodiesel at Loyola has helped to create this powerful learning tool. ReAct has also been paired with a diesel generator (powered with biodiesel) and a deep-fryer (powered by the generator) to demonstrate a closed-loop energy system. This system has been featured on the National Mall in Washington DC, at high school football games, and at green fairs around Chicago.

There are a myriad of companies that have push-button processors for creating biodiesel fuel. The core competence of Loyola's Biodiesel Program is in our interactive design. This is what makes ReAct a phenomenal educational tool. Without the interactivity, much of the experience and learning opportunity is lost to automation. The ability for students to physically interact with the machine and see the chemical processes occur is what makes ReAct an attractive program for educators.