California Holds Fuel Cell Science Teacher Workshop
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by Karen Farrell,
California Education Coordinator of the California Fuel Cell Education Program

On Thursday, February 24, 2005, a California Fuel Cell Education Program was “kicked-off” with an all day Fuel Cell Science Teacher Workshop and “Energy Exhibit.” This kick-off was hosted by the Irvine Unified School District at its South Lake Middle School in Irvine, California. As part of the workshop, twenty teachers, representing five area school districts, and with the hopes of reaching approximately 2,000 students by December 2005, were bused to the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), University of California, Irvine for a two hour tour. While at the NFCRC, the teachers had a chance to view a Siemens Westinghouse 25-kW tubular solid oxide fuel cell, a Plug Power GenSys fuel cell, a Capstone microturbine system, and a Toyota hydrogen fuel cell car.

Three hundred eighth grade students cycled through the Energy Exhibits. They appeared to be focused and very interested. They asked intelligent questions, seeking answers and formulating opinions.

The exhibitors included Solar Integrated Technology’s QuickPower! “Power in an Hour” a product used in the Tsunami relief efforts, which we used to power our microphone and amplifier. There were two singers and their performance was powered by the sun! The Energy Exhibit also included Honda FCX & NG vehicles, and “Phill” the home refueling unit; Plug Power; Fuel Cell Partnership; FuelCellStore.com; National Fuel Cell Education Program (NFCEP); H2Toy, electric bikes; Electric Vehicle Association of Southern California; Earth Resources Foundation; Intelligent Energy; Orange County Fire Authority; information from Stuart Energy; California Hydrogen Business Council, FuelCell Energy, AQMD, BP A+, NEED, the US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC).

After the three-hour workshop, the teachers participated in the “Energy Exhibit” and listened to the following speakers emphasize the importance of educating our youth about a renewable, sustainable hydrogen and fuel cell economy: Irvine Mayor Beth Krom; Mike Binder, DOD Fuel Cell Manager; Mark Sontag, Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) Math & Science Coordinator; Mira Vowles, BPA Fuel Cell Program Manager; and Karen Farrell, CA Education Coordinator facilated.

Mark was presented with a laminated poster showing kid’s drawings and essays on the future of a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Economy. After the workshop, some teachers surrounded him and expressed their excitement about the curriculum and use of the Heliocentris Fuel Cell Car Kit. He said he has funding and wants to purchase more kits for the IUSD teachers to use in their classroom.

To date over 260 teachers have received training and more than 10,000 students already know about fuel cells and the benefits of a hydrogen economy! For more information please visit: www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/projects/fuel cell/education.


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