Industrial Biotechnology

Fossil fuel-based, non-biodegradable plastics are a scourge on the environment. They can be found all over the world, and are wreaking havoc on living things on land and in the oceans. Microplastics can be found within the digestive systems of almost all living things. Industrial biotechnology is a field dedicated to finding materials that can replace non-biodegradable materials. We must invent new materials that are biologically sourced and biodegradable, so we can replace the fossil fuel-based plastics during the product manufacturing process. By reimagining and redesigning these products, we can reduce the impacts of plastics on the environment, and, hopefully, reverse the negative trends seen worldwide.

Module Overview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BSXuNw0VqTsGl1IlCzHxyxvfTC99vpPZTqlr1S2yCOA/edit?usp=sharing

For the lessons that include slide decks, please make sure you check the notes at the bottom of individual slides for instructional recommendations and suggestions.

The module begins with a lesson on plastics and their impacts on the environment. Students learn about the history of plastics, and that almost all plastics are made from fossil fuels. Students then learn how to make sense of the resin identification numbers that accompany all plastics, and which plastics are and are not recyclable. The lesson ends with a survey of the impacts that plastics have had on the environment, including the roles that single-use plastics and the product manufacturing industry have had in contributing to the “plastic problem”.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gAfqyAfTwvIGUkbMEMDT9ecS-vaokXf5q2rjEu49MtA/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xr008S5uVxJnzjCgRdd5oAGXtILlcYgHsUO2yQyRqlU/edit?usp=sharing

During this lesson, students are introduced to the field of Industrial Biotechnology. Students learn that we can invent and use biodegradable, sustainable products that can replace the use of fossil fuel-based plastics during the manufacturing process. Students are then introduced to the three types of biologically-based materials that they will create over the next several days: bioleather, bioplastics, and biofoam. An example of how these materials are used industrially are provided, and students spend time brainstorming other types of uses for these materials.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bvscqJfCtSwpXqvFFU6bJk1u3C3h5Wa7NW922dzPuE0/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oQatUrsemntkZ0HH0F81wTw82fn4B-tjAxjP-bnW578/edit?usp=sharing

This module requires students to make several measurements of solid and liquid materials. In preparation for these activities, it is advised to add a lesson on measurement. This extension lesson will require the purchase of additional materials. These materials can be found at the bottom of the materials section of the Industrial Biotechnology module materials spreadsheet. **Please note that there are two materials that should be purchased locally prior to the lesson, and not ordered on Amazon in advance.

Students will make kombucha leather--their first biodegradable material. This material will take one lesson to produce, at least ten days to grow, and two days to dry. Once dried, students will be able to manipulate the material to take the shape of a product, if they ultimately choose to use this product for their solution.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nAXzp0GZXG698FYA2yfY9meNKVPXJhJRqH6D2r6CUH8/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1opACzZUnI4zsoN2kuw4Y5TjT6ew5FS-E9yqdD1inPEM/edit?usp=sharing

Video: How to Make Kombucha Leather

Industrial biotechnology involves inventing and producing biodegradable materials that can replace non-biodegradable plastics, thus reducing their impacts on the environment. During this lesson, students create bioplastics--one made from milk and vinegar, and the other made from cornstarch, corn oil and water. Both materials are manipulated and molded into the shape of a household product. The students learn that those types of materials are similar to ones being produced during the manufacturing process for everyday objects.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-nEV_ndPPBMb0WqFVeo_xU9teVJQxOE3RdCNZ2niaQE/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XUVWVZavwkQxwfv5BKWuCDUFd-5dkvKQCuqa5-UfIC0/edit?usp=sharing

After making plant-based bioplastics, students make bioplastic from agar, which is made from red algae (protists), and glycerin (glycerol), which is made from plants. Making the bioplastic takes one lesson, but it takes several days to dry. Once dried, students will be able to manipulate the material to take the shape of a product, if they ultimately choose to use this product for their solution.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A8UXf3QG7zzWUralRLakWnJPesVMa9h5x3SWcSJ2ai8/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xSFCnSclHjCobrBiDhT8_wdE_qB1UY5UVa2z47Y4lpg/edit?usp=sharing

Extension Article: Making fabric from algae for the fashion industry: https://inhabitat.com/fabrics-from-natural-materials-studio-are-made-from-algae/

During this lab activity, students will learn what a renewable and non-renewable material is. Additionally, the different options to produce packaging materials for many applications. This activity will teach students how industrial packing peanuts are made from polystyrene and will create awareness regarding the accumulation of plastics in landfills. Students will produce a more environmentally friendly option to replace the polystyrene peanuts using starch to produce starch-based packing peanuts. Students will produce starch-based packing peanuts and will compare its performance to polystyrene-based packaging peanuts.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o24TehlQN63_0TYDtgNjxzEo848l96XkBEw5DSoaC08/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: None

This lesson provides extra time for the teacher to extend any of the previous four lessons. *** If necessary, the teacher can choose which of the materials the students will produce, as some materials are harder to make and take extra time to make them.*** With this additional time, students can remake or experiment with the materials.

During this lesson, students watch a PBS video called “The Plastic Problem” to learn about the depth of the global issues related to the non-biodegradable plastics.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eAVgE0Nx6jOJfVnvDx4fG7dCrVuqyQHCyrQCngVkjr4/edit?usp=sharing

Video: The Plastic Problem

During this lesson, students will reflect on industries that have major impacts on plastic production. Students will then brainstorm products that are made with plastic and then decide which product they want to design using the bio-materials they’ve created throughout this unit.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mTmg2DBWD0n22gDiYsRO9wpzwoZ5lNLnTXlrhtsdN2k/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ur2bdAkRZDPf4yxQowK_ORu6HG1G7RN-cLtTl2sCnYE/edit?usp=sharing

Collaboration and Teamwork Rubric: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1riNS-7FrphLJSHBHnLEFav_pY7e-RYMAJsnfCy91NZk/edit?usp=sharing

During this lesson, students will experience what goes into designing and creating objects, tools, or products by participating in an engineering design activity. Each student will draw a design, get and give feedback, and redesign their concept. After redesigning, each small group will choose a final design - this may mean that groups choose one member’s design or attributes of several group members’ designs.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16D_DuR7ZdieNag03v6nApaHh_i5N71gnnYUIhdTeiU8/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aeZuH18zjhHKm-q_L0LvWpFFAARZRtuy9yVaISRyaDQ/edit?usp=sharing

Engineering Brainstorm Activity: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sDRuoCqMr2qO5r9SQPgAWx-F05hN2o0uiRTiCeZn1sg/edit?usp=sharing

Coming to Consensus: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ydqK3Nqb_HH54fxo1y3wyKELIPFKakLvalL7i_G3fnQ/edit?usp=sharing

During this lesson, students build off of the brainstorming activities from the prior lesson, and use play-doh to model their solution.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fo_8b33GtlUpqNnm5o-wBCEG2POMQIavWaeE55zhino/edit?usp=sharing

Slide Deck: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1I13m0QB9juPwR92CTzTklHSCD-lU_4ZynYNlx-V9MU0/edit?usp=sharing

During these lessons, students research the product they are redesigning, select a biologically-sourced, biodegradable material to replace during its manufacturing, and produce a presentation that describes their research and this new product. During the final lesson, students share their solutions with their peers.

Lesson Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RDAMWPwLs3dlWRu6OVxzT_r8Tv1xC0n-Lf3c91RQAAQ/edit?usp=sharing

Presentation Template: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12sx7zdVtGZ2DQq5l001r-Yu85nSu9Ab7cf6BdUAY9uA/copy