This video is about an ingenious solution to reduce the carbon footprint of making cement, highlighting the individual who invented this process and her inspiration from nature.
The video outlines where the idea came from, how it is helpful for reducing carbon emissions, and the process by which the company (bioMASON) makes its bricks.
The summary below the video provides a number of links to additional resources for further exploration.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The video and article explain the complex concept of biocement in a way that is easy for students to understand.
The video does an excellent job of explaining the impact of regular cement production on carbon dioxide emissions.
Both the article and the video stress the fact that perfecting this biocement took many failed tests, so it is a great example of the importance of a growth-mindset and perseverance.
Additional Prerequisites
Students may need the terms biotech, emissions, microorganisms, and microbes to be front-loaded in order to better comprehend the article and video.
Students will need to be familiar with the concept of the greenhouse effect.
The link in the article attached to "Ginger Krieg Dosier" is a broken link.
Differentiation
Economics classes can use this video to look at biocement as an example of an innovative product to address a critical need, and can compare the costs and benefits of it to that of regular cement.
English language learners can use the subtitles to translate the video or a Google Chrome extension to translate the article.
Students who struggle with auditory processing can either read the accompanying article or can use the closed captioning function for the video.
Science classes can use this resource as an example of applying science to solve big problems or to inspire students to think outside-of-the-box.
Social studies classes can discuss the female founder of the company that came up with the idea and relate it to the need for gender equality to solve global issues like climate change.
Biology classes can use this as a hook for lessons about ocean acidification, microbial ecology, or substrates and products in biological reactions.
Scientist Notes
This website provides a brief synopsis of a ~6 minute video that follows the CEO and founder of a biotech startup that uses bacteria to grow cement. This video would be a great addition to a classroom discussing sustainability and different ways to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
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.
5-ESS3-1 Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
ETS1: Engineering Design
HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
PS1: Matter and its Interactions
5-PS1-3 Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.8.3-5 Identify examples of external benefits and costs.
