Turn Plants into Biofuel with the Power of Enzymes

[bnag7]

Hi Daughter is very interested in pursuing this topic for her science fair
How can i get more details so she can pursue this?
Also how does one get access to a lab? Their middle school does not have a science lab.
Does she need access to lab even after purchasing the kit?

Thanks much
Nags

[heatherL]

Hi Nags,

It's great that your daughter is interested in this very interesting and relevant project!

The way this project (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-f ... p038.shtml) works, you will have your daughter's teacher purchase the Biofuel Enzyme Kit from Bio-Rad (http://www.bio-rad.com/prd/en/US/LSE/PD ... ies_Enzyme). Once you will get the kit, you will still need access to a lab to perform the experiments.

If your daughter's middle school does not have a lab, you may be able to access a lab at a local high school, community college, or university. Your daughter's science teacher could be a good resource for contacts.

For more background information, you can start with the Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzymatic_biofuel_cell. Although Wikipedia is not necessarily a reliable source on its own, it's a good starting point, and the references in the Bibliography section are great.

Here is an article highlighting some new research and explaining the importance of biofuels: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 212023.htm

Hopefully this information can help you get started. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions!

Heather

[bnag7]

Thanks heather for the helpful feedback.
She will contact her science teacher for ordering and we will contact the local High school to see if they will allow access

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[bnag7]

Hi Heather-

Still not able to get lab access.
I noticed that this requires a lab with a minimum of pipettes and a balance.
Their middle school lab has pipettes. I can find out if we can get a balance for the lab.
Do you know what kind if balance is needed and for what?
Also is it just one or two trips to the lab?

I also contacted BIO RAD Tech support and waiting to hear from them.

Thanks for any guidance you can provide

-Nags

[heatherL]

Hi Nags,

From what I can tell, the balance is for an extension activity looking at the effects of mushroom extract (likely the enzyme tyrosinase) on the reaction rate. I think you will be fine with the kit and the pipettes.

On the Bio-Rad site (http://www.bio-rad.com/prd/en/US/LSE/PD ... ies_Enzyme), try clicking the "Lab Preparation Checklist" and the "Biofuel Enzyme Kit Flowchart" links to the right of the picture for more information.

Please keep me posted on your progress!

Heather