Introduction of »fuels of the future« in teaching chemistry

In accordance with modern researches, the usage of fossil fuels is the main cause of increased concentration of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. This is indicated by extreme weather changes, smog, floods, droughts, the green house effect etc. Scientists assume that the supplies of fossil fuel will run out in about 50 years. The decrease of fossil fuel supplies is increasing the price of vehicle fuels. Fossil fuels will be replaced with alternative fuels in the future. Therefore, the production of biodiesel, which is used in unmodified diesel engines in a fossil diesel blend, is increasing. Biodiesel is a biodegradable, ecological, renewable and non-toxic mixture of acyl esters with chemical and physical properties similar to fossil diesel. This paper is written about introduction of fuels of the future in chemistry teaching. Analysis of different Slovenian and English textbooks, workbooks and school books have shown, that there is little talk about biodiesel in primary schools. Although the students are aware of environmental problems and the usage of fossil fuels, the notion biodiesel can be found just in one Slovenian textbook. No experimental work associated with biodiesel synthesis can be found either. A procedure of biodiesel synthesis suitable for primary schools has been tested and optimised in this paper. Based on the operational didactic goals of the chemistry curriculum for primary schools, the experiment has been made into a teaching unit that includes worksheets for students and instructions for the teacher