Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

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

Hi Nags,

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

The way this project (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 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

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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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

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