Dr. Sergio Capareda’s Bio Energy Testing and Analysis Laboratory, or BETA lab, is known for testing and analyzing biomass and biofuels. Recently, the BETA lab has reached out to high school students who participated in a STEM Summer Camp from July 11th to 15th here in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. Under the leadership of graduate student and program manager, Seaborn Carter, and along with assistance from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program specialist David Smith and other graduate students studying under Dr. Capareda, campers were able to attend lectures and spend time in the laboratory.
Each day, a new topic was introduced to expose students to both engineering principles and alternative technologies capable of being environmentally friendly. These principles, in turn, allow for the creation of popular consumer products found in many major, successful industries. The focus during the camp included alternative energy, biologically derived consumer products, and environmental sustainability. Specific instruction topics included finding substitute technology for coal and charcoal, food flavoring production, fragrance and aroma production, water filtration, and purification processes. Students were also exposed to Super ProDesigner software that allowed them to perform process simulation and economic analysis of bio-based products.
This program is equally vital for the recruitment of future students to sustain the BAEN program, to create future leaders in the industry, and develop an interest in soon-to-be college students who may have been unaware of the program’s existence and impact that it has on society.