Champion High School STEM students researched corn as a sustainable fuel to power vehicles. They made renewable diesel, then fermented corn mash to make ethanol, and powered steam boats with their fuel.
A grant from Ohio Corn & Wheat and Feed the World provided all the materials to aid students in their research. Students used a laboratory grade distillation kit provided by the grant. Students also used all the supplies provided through the ethanol workshop in testing the nutrients in ethanol. They also simulated the enzymes breaking down starches to sugars in the “Ticketase” activity.
“My class loved the hands-on activities and the in-depth research on the fundamentals of making ethanol as a fuel source,” teacher Rebecca Baxter said.
