The Hydrogen & Bio-Fuel Economy

The Hydrogen and Bio-fuel Economy curriculum  has been taught in high school Environmental Science and Chemistry classes.  The goal is to develop an understanding of the importance of science and technology, as well as broader social issues, in decisions about complex issues facing our nation. Students define the problems associated with our current petroleum transportation fuels and explore a range of solutions promoted in current national energy policies.

The curriculum is framed in a context that requires students to debate options and to provide an overall recommendation for solving a relevant problem related to our future transportation fuels, such as whether the school’s bus fleet should be converted from diesel powered vehicles to vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells or biodiesel. Technical aspects related to the use of hydrogen fuel cells or biofuels are explored through hands-on activities. But students also discover that the effective solutions require analysis of social, political and environmental implications as well as consideration for  the lifecycle of the fuels and the technologies that are utilized.

The development of this curriculum was  based on Professor Susan Powers, NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award to fund energy education research and Activities.  Dr. Powers’ work is affiliated with Clarkson University’s Center for the Environment