Subject: Hydrogen
and Fuel Cells, Bioenergy, Vehicles
Grade Level: 4th
through 8th Grade
Class Dates:
Varies by activities
Overview: While gasoline is the most commonly used fuel for transportation, there are multiple alternative fuels that are making their way to the market. These fuels include propane, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells, electric hybrids, and biodiesel. Students may have heard of some of these alternative fuels, but may not understand how and why they are better then ordinary gasoline.
Objectives: These projects created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy are designed to give students an opportunity to test alternative fuels to discover how they influence transportation. The activities are:
• Determining the heat content of two alternative fuels
• Selecting the economically best choice between
purchasing a hybrid or typical gasoline engine automobile
• Developing a plan for fleets of automobiles to
alternative-fuel engines
• Quantifying the relative amount of CO2 given off by
the methanol vs. ethanol during the combustion process
• Identifying what goes into building a hydrogen fuel
cell car
Materials: Vary by activity.
Activities: Download PDF of lessons here.
Lab Safety Guidelines:
1. Use caution: No horseplay, practical jokes, or pranks are
allowed in the science classroom.
2. Follow all instructions carefully, and ask your teacher
if you do not understand something.
3. Do not touch any equipment until instructed to do so.
4. Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or taste anything in the
science classroom.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water before entering and
leaving class.
6. Wear safety goggles when instructed.
7. Keep work area neat and clean. Remove all unnecessary
materials.
8. Clean work area and equipment when you're finished with
the experiment. Dispose of all waste properly.
9. Tell your teacher about any accident immediately.
10. Most chemicals used in the science room are dangerous.
Do not touch or smell any chemicals unless told to do so.
11. Students are not allowed to enter any storage closet at
any time.
12. Do not remove any supplies from the science classroom
without your teacher’s permission.
13. Use care when handling glassware. Never pick up broken
or hot glassware with your bare hands.
14. Use extreme caution when using matches, burners, or hot
plates. Only light burners when told to do so by your teacher, and do not put
anything into a flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Do not leave lit
burners unattended.
15. Dress properly: Long hair must be tied back, and no
dangling sleeves or jewelry is allowed. Wear closed-toe and heeled shoes. Wear
lab aprons as instructed.
16. Memorize the location of all safety equipment and
emergency exits.
Adapted from middleschoolscience.com.
