Students Across Nation to Study Biofuels

MANHATTAN, Kan. – As Kansas State University researchers continue to explore biofuels as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and a potential source of revenue for Kansas' economy, students in the state also will soon have the opportunity to learn about – and simulate the production of a biofuel.

"Biofuel Blast" is the chosen topic for the 2009 4-H sponsored National Youth Science Experiment, said Gary Gerhard, Kansas State University professor of youth development and a state 4-H specialist.

The experiment kicks off on Oct. 7, 2009, and will focus on renewable resources obtained from harvested plant materials – biofuels, he said. The experiment may be conducted throughout the month and results posted to https://www.4-h.org/NYSD/index.php.

The effort is timed to align with the beginning of the 4-H program year, but students do not need to be 4-H members to participate, said Gerhard, who is anticipating participation from school, after-school programs and community groups.

"The push to spark students' interest in science is not new to 4-H," he said. "4-H projects are research- and science-based, yet not always readily identified with science."

"The difference," said Gerhard, "is that 4-H projects take science out of the classroom and emphasize basic principles and practical applications in everyday life. 4-H makes what might, in another setting, be called 'homework' an opportunity."      

Providing the leadership for a national experiment that can be completed at the local level is a relatively new idea from National 4-H Headquarters, he said.

And, while participation in the national project focuses on scientific principles and outcomes, taking the project to the national level integrates additional technologies. Student scientists will be able to log onto a 4-H Web site to compare results from others in the nation who are conducting the experiment, he said.

Promoting a national youth science day is part of the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology program. The goal, said Gerhard, is to build interest in science and technology as careers.

More information about the science project and other 4-H educational programs and opportunities is available on the Kansas 4-H Web site ( www.kansas4-h.org ) and at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices.

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Two-part sidebar or box:
Part 1: So, What's a Biofuel Blast?

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- The national 4-H experiment explores the production of the biofuel, ethanol, which is typically made in the U.S. by converting the starches from corn kernels into the sugars in corn syrup, and then adding yeast to break down the sugars. That releases carbon dioxide and ethanol as byproducts.

Ethanol is blended with gasoline and then sold at some gas stations. Drivers may, for example, see a sign (E10) at the pump indicating that the fuel they are purchasing is 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol.

                                                 - Source: National 4-H Headquarters  

Part 2 - K-State Specialist: Why Biofuels Matter

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- “Kansas is positioned to succeed in the biofuels marketplace,” said Scott Staggenborg, Kansas State University Research and Extension associate professor.

With much discussion and debate in the news about using corn as fuel, rather than food, he is part of a K-State team that is researching sorghum and native grasses such as Switchgrass and Big Blue Stem. The scientists are also studying an Asian perennial, Miscanthus-Giantices, which is fast-growing and produces a substantial amount of biomass for potential production of biofuels, said Staggenborg, who is a cropping systems researcher in K-State’s Department of Agronomy.

The Asian perennial can grow to the height of 10 feet or more quickly, and has been grown successfully at K-State’s North Agronomy Research Farm.

Other crops with potential include energy sorghum and sweet sorghum, which also can grow quite tall and produce a large amount of biomass. The advantage of the Miscanthus and other perennial grasses is that, once established, they require less seed and herbicide, protect the soil from erosion, and increase soil organic matter levels faster than most annual crops. 

The advantage of energy or sweet sorghum is that, as annual crops, they fit better into crop rotations that are needed to produce other non-biofuel crops such as wheat. 

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