Monday, March 31, 2008 - 12:10 PM
H2fuel4U – Reaching the Hydrogen Generation
The key to adoption of any new technology is comprehension. As it pertains to South Carolina and its K-12 education system, there are significant challenges related to awareness and comprehension of hydrogen and fuel cells as an alternative, clean energy source. This lack of understanding will be a long-term barrier to acceptance and adoption if left unaddressed.
Despite a plethora of initiatives championed by the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, BMW and several collaboration groups – all of which have received substantial publicity in local media markets – a recent study of educators and students in the Palmetto State showed low awareness and understanding of hydrogen concepts among educators AND students.
Further, we asked a select group of middle and high school teachers to review lesson plans and lessons directed toward hydrogen and fuel cells. Their response did not support the inclusion of these materials in the regular curriculum. (Dickey, Feller, and Hutto, 2007)
A study completed in 2007 by USC researchers and Innovation Drive via a grant from Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge and co-sponsored by the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance revealed that a second significant barrier to acceptance in South Carolina is the unfortunate fact that the lessons, as written, do not easily fit into the academic standards currently used to ensure performance in the classroom.
Based on this data, our research presentation will discuss specific findings and offer recommendations to address this discrepancy and showcase plans to move forward and facilitate hydrogen and fuel cell awareness and adoption among educators, students, and the eventually the general public.
In short, the study will recommend supplementing hydrogen/fuel cell education in the scientific classroom with lessons in a variety of other disciplines including math, social studies, history and other education topics in a similar manner thatAmerica educated itself about the space race, HIV awareness and other environmental awareness campaigns such as recycling.
We feel the findings of this research offer significant insights into an educational approach that promises maximum success for awareness and adoption of hydrogen technology on a state-wide and, eventually, national level.
Despite a plethora of initiatives championed by the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, BMW and several collaboration groups – all of which have received substantial publicity in local media markets – a recent study of educators and students in the Palmetto State showed low awareness and understanding of hydrogen concepts among educators AND students.
Further, we asked a select group of middle and high school teachers to review lesson plans and lessons directed toward hydrogen and fuel cells. Their response did not support the inclusion of these materials in the regular curriculum. (Dickey, Feller, and Hutto, 2007)
A study completed in 2007 by USC researchers and Innovation Drive via a grant from Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge and co-sponsored by the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance revealed that a second significant barrier to acceptance in South Carolina is the unfortunate fact that the lessons, as written, do not easily fit into the academic standards currently used to ensure performance in the classroom.
Based on this data, our research presentation will discuss specific findings and offer recommendations to address this discrepancy and showcase plans to move forward and facilitate hydrogen and fuel cell awareness and adoption among educators, students, and the eventually the general public.
In short, the study will recommend supplementing hydrogen/fuel cell education in the scientific classroom with lessons in a variety of other disciplines including math, social studies, history and other education topics in a similar manner that
We feel the findings of this research offer significant insights into an educational approach that promises maximum success for awareness and adoption of hydrogen technology on a state-wide and, eventually, national level.
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