Fuel Cell Car & Inquiry Experiment
Course: Biology - 11&12 grade
Unit: Ecology
Subunit: Environmental Science
Prerequisite: Chemistry or Chemistry Inquiry/Earth Science
These lessons (4-days) are to be inserted into an Environmental Science subunit.
Day One
Instructional Objectives: The student will be able to
- identify a variety of energy types including light, sound, chemical, and electrical
- discuss issues (pros and cons) surrounding transportation in the U.S.
Behavioral Objectives: The students will
- watch a video on Fuel Cell Cars
- review types of energy and conversion
- review reactions
- build a Fuel Cell Car
Materials and Media
Instructional Procedures
| The teacher will: |
The students will: |
- Show video
- Discuss types of energy
- Review reactions
- Discuss transportation issues
- Monitor and assist
|
- Watch video
- Discuss types of energy
- Review reactions
- Discuss transportation issues
- Complete fuel cell lab
|
Teacher Notes:
- Discuss types of energy:
- Light
- Sound
- Electricity
- Mechanical
- Chemical
- Gravitational potential
- Heat
- Nuclear
- Wind
- Tidal
- H2O ----> H2 + ½ O2
- Technology - The Transportation Problem
- What is the problem? Pros and cons
- Electric cars - pros and cons
- Fuel cells, diesels, nuclear - solutions?
- Discuss the possibility of a car that runs on water
- Why is such a car not safe today?
- What is meant by machine efficiency?
- Do we need other options to power our vehicles?
Day Two
Instructional Objectives: The student will be able to
- measure the rate that hydrogen and oxygen gas are produced by the fuel cell
- use a solar cell and fuel cell to see and measure energy transfer
Behavioral Objectives: The students will
- complete Experiment 15
- complete Experiment 19
- complete Experiment 27
Materials and Media
Instructional Procedures
| The teacher will: |
The students will: |
|
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Homework
- The students will design an inquiry lab testing different types/levels of light and the effects on the fuel cell car efficiency.
Days Three and Four
The students will design and complete their lab and submit a lab write-up (see attached requirements).
