Effectiveness of a Biodiesel Education Program for Secondary Students

A 2-h educational program on biodiesel production, quality, performance, and emissions was developed and delivered to students (N = 199) in 14 classes at eight public secondary schools. The program was conducted over two days in each class and consisted of a lecture-discussion (Day 1) and an engine performance demonstration and discussion (Day 2). A pre-test post-test design was used to measure changes in students' knowledge and perceptions of biodiesel as a result of the educational program. Students' knowledge of biodiesel increased significantly (p < 0.0001), with post-test knowledge scores increasing 107% relative to pre-test knowledge scores (61.5% vs. 30.1% correct). Students' initial perceptions of biodiesel were fairly positive (pre-test mean =3.84 on a 1-5 scale) and did not significantly (p = 0.0941) increase as a result of the educational program (post-test mean = 3.95). Students were positive toward both the lecture-discussion and engine demonstration components of the educational program; however, they were significantly (p < 0.0001) more positive toward the engine demonstration.