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Teaching Science Using Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Kit

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Conference

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Location

Virtual On line

Publication Date

June 22, 2020

Start Date

June 22, 2020

End Date

June 26, 2021

Conference Session

Pre-college Engineering Education Division Technical Session 11

Tagged Division

Pre-College Engineering Education

Page Count

21

DOI

10.18260/1-2--35280

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/35280

Download Count

959

Paper Authors

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Thomas Neil Dempsey Forestville Central School

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High School Math and Engineering Teacher for 26 years

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M. Raymond Ng Cathedral Preparatory School

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Mr. M. Raymond Ng graduated with a Master of Arts from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas and a Bachelor of Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He has been on the faculty of Cathedral Preparatory School since 2009.
Mr. Ng’s teaching assignments include Introduction to Computer Programming, Introduction to Robotics, Exploratory Engineering, 3D Printing and Modeling, Computer-Aided Design/Drafting, and various mathematics classes. He has participated in the NSF’s Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Manufacturing Simulation and Automation in PSU Behrend. He researches topics including 3D Printing in 2018 and in the Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Experiment in 2019.
Since 2016, he, also, has assisted the Cathedral Preparatory School technology department’s “Shark Tank” competitions. Also, he has advised Cathedral Preparatory School students for The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering high school poster competition in 2020. In addition, he has coached Erie Preparatory School teams (Cathedral Preparatory School and Villa Maria Academy) for the United States Academic Decathlon and Academic Sports League competitions from 2010 to 2016.

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Zachary Rhodes

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Jiawei Gong Pennsylvania State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0003-4318-9387

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Dr. Jiawei Gong is an assistant professor or Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania state university, The Behrend College.

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Faisal Aqlan Pennsylvania State University Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-0695-5364

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Dr. Faisal Aqlan is an assistant professor of Industrial Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College. He received his PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering form The State University of New York at Binghamton in 2013. He has industry experience with IBM Corporation and Innovation Associates Company. His research interests include manufacturing education, simulation and automation, process improvement, ergonomics, supply chain, and cyberlearning. He has published more than 115 peer-reviewed research articles in reputed conferences and journals and received multiple best paper awards. Aqlan also holds 7 U.S. patents/patent applications and is the recipient of two NSF grants ($800K) and several internal and in-kind grants ($30M). He has received numerous awards and honors including the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence Award, Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Young Researcher Award, School of Engineering Distinguished Award for Excellence in Research, Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award, IBM Vice President Award for Innovation Excellence, IBM Lean Recognition Award, Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Research, and Outstanding Academic Achievement in Graduate Studies. He was recently named 40 Under 40: Class of 2019 by the Erie Reader. His projects and achievements have been recognized by U.S. Senators and Representatives. Aqlan is a member of ASEE, ASQ, SME, and IEOM. He is also a senior member of IISE and has served as president of IISE Logistics and Supply Chain Division, co-founder of IISE Modeling and Simulation Division, director of IISE Young Professionals Group, founder and faculty advisor of IISE Behrend Chapter, faculty chair of IISE Northeast Conference, and track chair in IISE Annual Conference. He currently serves as IISE Vice President of Student Development and holds a seat on IISE Board of Trustees. He also serves on IISE Technical Operations Board and leads IISE Cup initiative, which is an international competition to recognize organizations for innovative and effective implementation of industrial and systems engineering principles and practices that deliver exemplary business performance improvement.

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Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the working principles of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and how to use DSSCs kit to teach science. Three high school teachers were trained to fabricate DSSCs as part of an ongoing NSF RET program. The materials and equipment used for producing DSSCs are basic, and a standard procedure was formulated for the work to be replicated in a regular classroom. DSSCs were constructed using fruit juices from blackberry, raspberry, mulberry, blueberry, and strawberry. The absorption spectra of fruit dyes, along with food dyes, were examined in contrast to the solar spectrum. Teachers demonstrate the working principle of DSSCs and integrate hands-on activities into the K-12 curriculum. As the outcome, students should be able to (1) explain how a dye-sensitized solar cell converts sunlight into electricity; (2) design and build a dye-sensitized solar cell from basic components; (3) maximize efficiency of their solar cells using various fruit dyes; and (4) measure the voltage and current output of DSSCs in comparison with silicon solar cells. Data collected from implementing the developed curriculum in high school classrooms is discussed and plans of both formative and summative assessment are presented.

Dempsey, T. N., & Ng, M. R., & Rhodes, Z., & Gong, J., & Aqlan, F. (2020, June), Teaching Science Using Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Kit Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2--35280

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