This interactive map provides information about ethanol and biodiesel power plants as well as biomass resources and infrastructure located in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Students can use the map to compare the availability of renewable biomass resources to nonrenewable sources such as coal and natural gas.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This resource offers a variety of layers (coal mines, uranium production, oil and gas wells, etc.) that students can use to build maps.
Students can search for and zoom in on a specific neighborhood.
Additional Prerequisites
Layers can be manipulated using the double arrow icon and the layers icon, both of which are located at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Students should be familiar with the terms biomass, biofuel, biodiesel, and ethanol.
Differentiation
Science classes could discuss the different types of biomass plants found on the map and list the pros and cons of producing and using biomass energy.
Biology and Earth science classes could research how garbage is being turned into biomass energy using the gas produced by landfills.
Other resources on this topic include this interactive resource on global biodiesel and ethanol production, this lesson on the pros and cons of ethanol, and this video on renewable energy.
Scientist Notes
Biomass, biodiesel, and ethanol are usually included under the umbrella of renewable energy because they can be regrown to produce more fuel. This interactive map shows the biomass, biodiesel, and ethanol plants in the United States, as well as where these resources are harvested. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
MS-ESS2-1 Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
4-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
HS-ESS3-3 Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
