Alternative Energy Activity Plan: Fuel Cell Cars

Make a car that runs on water!

1: Stuff you need BEFORE the lesson:

1 fuel cell car kit per student. 

Large pitcher of water

Sunlight (optional)

Make sure each fuel cell kit includes:

1. Chassis
2. Fuel cell
3. Battery Pack
4. 2 AA batteries
5. Connection cable to battery pack
6. 2 cylinders and 2 smaller cylindrical cups
7. Solar panel (optional, can be replaced by battery pack)
8. Manual
9. Syringe
10. Motor cover (says horizontal fuel cell)
11. 2 tube covers that connect to fuel cell  

2: Opening Concepts:

Discuss different forms of energy

Discuss what alternative energy is (renewable, clean) and what is alternative to

   Renewable Energy is an alternative to non-renewabe fossil fuels

   Clean Energy is an alternative to sources that harm the environment

Explain what we will be doing today:

    building a fuel cell car that converts water to hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis

    and uses hydrogen to power the motors

Explain electrolysis. Chemical change, especially decomposition, produced in an electrolyte by an electric current.

3: Focus of the Lesson:

To convert water to hydrogen and oxygen..  Use Hydrogen to power the motors. 

4: Teaching:

What do you think energy is

Tell them the correct meaning of energy

What youre going to do and why there doing it

How to build the car

Whats the point of the car

1. put the cylinders on the circular indents on the fuel cell car.
2. Put the fuel cell on the rectangular indent on the fuel cell car.
3. Insert the red wire into the red slot on the chassis.
4. Insert the black wire on the black slot on the chassis.
5. While charging, make sure the battery pack is on.
6. Pour water over the cylinders and make sure the smaller half cylinders slot is not blocked.
7. Put water in the fuel cell using the syringe provided.
8. Finally, put the motor cover on the fuel cell car into the slots securely.

5: Wrap up:

Clean up area

Why do you think alternative energy is good for the society

What did you learn from this lesson

How does this lesson relate in the real world

How do you think this will help you in your own life

How do you think it would help others, friends and family

how do you think it would help your community, and what can you do to contribute to it

Activity Sheets

Portrait - http://learn2teach.pbworks.com/f/altEactivitySHEET.doc

Landscape - http://learn2teach.pbworks.com/f/altEactSHT-land.doc