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The State High Biodiesel Project

The Science Teacher—April/May 2009

Through a collaborative project in Pennsylvania, high school students developed a method for converting batches of their cafeteria’s waste fryer oil into biodiesel using a 190 L (50 gal) reactor. While the biodiesel is used to supplement the school district’s heating and transportation energy needs, the byproduct—glycerol—is used to make hand soap to sell in the school store. Proceeds from both of these products are used to support the continuation of the project, in which students learn the science behind biodiesel and its relation to our environment. This article provides an overview of the State High Biodiesel Project with the hope of inspiring other school districts to develop their own programs.
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