Student's Day, celebrated on August 11, is a date that reinforces the importance of education in the trajectory of people of different ages.
The story of young students from the interior of Paraná is a practical example how much education and scientific research can positively impact society.
A group made up of girls from Colégio Estadual Conselheiro Carrão, a full-time public school in Assaí (PR), developed a project to reuse cooking oil.
The initiative transforms residential oil, which would otherwise be discarded, into biodiesel for school buses. The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) is a partner in the development of the work.
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Student project on biodiesel production
The work developed by the students is the result of a project scientific initiation. A junior startup, Sunrise Chemistry & Innovation, was created to develop the work.
The advisor and professor of Chemistry and Physics, Matheus Rossi, explains that the objective of the initiative is to enable the production of biofuel within the school space. The expectation is to create a "green line" in the city, targeting
public policies for urban mobility and sustainability."The students' idea is to transform, with the support of the city hall, part of the school buses into a specific line that only operates with the biodiesel produced through the project. It is a way to solve the problem of irregular disposal of organic compounds and, at the same time, promote a true scientific and business experience"
Matheus Rossi - Project advisor
The team of students and researchers identified that if the used cooking oil is added to some chemical products, it is possible to produce an alternative fuel. This product is more ecological and has lower levels of pollution.
The collected oil residue is heated and mixed with an alcohol and a strong base.
The first productions were made at the school itself. Subsequently, the research continued at the Jandaia do Sul pole of the UFPR.
Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)
student protagonism
One of the bases defended by the full time school is to enable the development of activities in which students are protagonists of the process and perfect actions for their life projects.
In this sense, students' autonomy and creative freedom are worked on, beyond the school field, and can generate results for the community in which they live.
One of the startup participants reinforces that this project is a opportunity to put into practice what is learned through concepts and be able to generate results with it.
"It's been an amazing experience, especially because I've always been curious about the laboratory part and grew up hearing a lot about the importance of sustainable ideas. Being able to carry out and see the possibility of the continuity of the project is something that encourages me a lot, from the academic part to my private interests"
Eduarda Pietra - Participant of BIOSUN
Student Letícia Ayumi believes that projects like this contribute to students' life projects. According to her, who likes Natural Sciences and experiences in laboratories, the project was able to provide the routine of being able to solve everyday problems. Furthermore, at BIOSUN, Letícia had the opportunity to experience the work of scientists in practice.
Future of the project
At that moment, the students await the feasibility of creating the "green line" in the city where they live.
There is also interest in continuing the work focused on the full reuse of resources in the biodiesel production process.
Among the current objectives are "finding partners in the chemical industry, to obtain reagents and materials at the lowest possible cost, enabling a cost-effective biodiesel", reports Matheus Rossi.
The professor also mentions the need for the project to have an investor in order to create a new laboratory for the development of activities.
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By Lucas Afonso
Journalist
