Fuel Cell Car: Use Water for Energy! A lesson in Cell Respiration, Energy Flow, Photosynthesis
Overview
This lesson will expose Biology students to mechanisms of energy by using a wind turbine demonstration and a fuel cell car student lab. Fuel Cell kits will need to be purchased for this activity.
Standards
Biology Standards:
HS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms
HS-LS1-7. Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy
HS-LS1-5. Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
Learning Objectives
Students learn that semi-permeable membranes (with NanoScale pores and holes) and compartments are key structural components for harnessing energy in technology devices and in cells.
Students learn that energy can be found in unexpected places, in everyday objects, however, it requires sophisticated engineering to make it useable.
Procedure
Bellwork writing prompt: What are the different ways that humans harness energy from water? Do you think that water gives humans energy? Do cells use water for energy? Explain your answer. |
Demo: Handheld Windmill turbine lighting up LED with class discuss
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Fuel Cell 10 Car Activity to learn about energy, compartments, semi-permeable membranes…
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Exit ticket: Write out two things that you think you understood about the fuel cell technology. What do you not understand? |
Credits
This learning module was created by Erik P, a participant in Indiana University-Purdue University’s NSF-Funded “Nanotechnology Experiences for Students and Teachers (NEST)” Program (Award # 1513112).