Bridging the gap between science and engineering for high school students through an innovative biofuel research project

This contribution will outline the details of a project to introduce high school students to the principles of sustainability and renewable energy by linking them with undergraduates working on a multidisciplinary project to manufacture biodiesel from vegetable oil and convert the glycerol side product to marketable specialty chemical products. The high school seniors participating in the project have worked with undergraduate researchers in chemical and mechanical engineering to operate a small scale biodiesel plant and glycerol conversion reactor at the Paducah Extended Campus of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. In addition, the students operate a quality control laboratory and conduct research experiments designed to improve the biodiesel manufacturing process and optimize the process for utilizing the glycerol side product. Feedstocks utilized for the biodiesel process include unused soy bean oil and waste vegetable oil from the high school cafeteria and local restaurants. The fuel produced will be used to power a heater in a student run greenhouse on the high school campus. As part of the research experience, the students explore both the economic and environmental impacts of this renewable fuel process.