Our success story this week takes us to Fenton, Missouri where high school students at Rockwood Summit are learning the basics of biodiesel. Following a student’s request, science teacher Darrin Peters started the program 5 ½ years ago. Students learn how to convert waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, while also being taught about the importance of sustainability.

DARRIN PETERS: “…once they’ve extracted that molecule, they can then test fuel, or that molecule, to see how pure it is, how good it’s going to burn in the car, whether or not water is in it, whether or not there’s other impurities. Gives them a lot of things to do as far as research is concerned…”

JOHN DAVIS: Students use their custom-made biodiesel to fuel two school-owned vehicles. And leaving nothing to waste, they repackage the residual glycerin into soap. As a result of their innovative work, Monsanto awarded the school a $100,000 grant for a new education center. Recently completed, it provides hands on training in renewable fuels for students in the St. Louis area now---and for generations to come.

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