Burning plants as fuel (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can investigate which plants might be used as alternative fuels to fossil fuels.
Key learning points
- A fuel is something that can be used to produce heat or light.
- Fossil fuels are found deep under Earth's surface and there is a limited amount left.
- Plants are a sustainable source of fuel as we can keep growing more.
- Like fossil fuels, biofuels release carbon dioxide on burning.
- Scientists and engineers investigate which plants are the best ones to grow for biofuels.
Keywords
Burn - To burn is to be on fire.
Fossil fuels - Fossil fuels are fuels made over millions of years from fossilised plants and animals buried deep beneath Earth's surface.
Carbon dioxide - Carbon dioxide is a type of gas found in Earth's atmosphere.
Sustainable - Sustainable means using things in a way that doesn't use them up or harm the environment, so they can be used again in the future.
Biofuel - Biofuels are fuels made from plant materials.
Common misconception
There is an endless supply of fossil fuels on Earth. There are no downsides to biofuels.
Teaching slides will explain that fossil fuel is a finite resource and will introduce the pros and cons of electric cars. Children will have a chance to discuss this in task B.
Teacher tip
Encourage children to consider the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels and that research continues in this field.
Equipment
A tray of sand, a safety lighter or matches, a selection of plant material to burn and a stopwatch.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When a substance burns it often produces a .
Q2.How can you reverse the process of freezing a material?
Q3.Which of these is not in the fire triangle?
Q4.Match the process to whether it is reversible or irreversible.
irreversible
reversible
Q5.What happens when something burns?
Q6.Match the product formed by each of these processes:
steam
smoke
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which type of professional would investigate which plants are the best ones to grow for 'biofuels'?
Q2.Which of these do fuels produce?
Q3.Scientists research alternative types of fuel because there is a limited amount of fuel left.
Q4.Where are fossil fuels found?
Q5.Plants are a source of fuel as we can keep growing more.
Q6.What do biofuels release on burning?
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Burning plants as fuel (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: Burning plants as fuel (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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