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ASEE 2005-66

University-Industry-High School Educational Partnership: Fuel Cell Energy Project S. B. Pidugu, S. Midturi and A. D. Jones University of Arkansas at Little Rock Department of Engineering Technology 2801 S. University Avenue Little Rock, AR, 72204

Abstract

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) partnered with three agencies and select local high schools to instruct students on the principles and applications of fuel cells and key environmental issues. The three participating agencies were the Arkansas Department of Economic Development Energy Office (ADED), the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and Entergy Corporation (an energy services company). Three high schools were selected, and the project was successfully implemented during Fall 2003 and Spring 2004. This paper presents the experiences of a university professor and an undergraduate student teaching the principles of fuel cells to high-school students and assessing their reactions to learning new technology. The paper also highlights the effectiveness of collaboration between state agencies, universities, and high schools.

1. Introduction

The draft of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Strategic Plan (2003-08) sets out five goals—Clean Air, Clean and Safe Water, Protect and Restore the Land, Health Communities and Ecosystems, and Compliance and Environmental Stewardship. The draft outlines the work the EPA plans to do over the next five years towards achieving the goals [1]. Community awareness of environmental issues is vital to the success of such a strategic plan, and this project, as small as it is, can make a fundamental statement on the importance of maintaining clean air and a clean environment by employing appropriate technologies. Fuel cell technology is one such element where emissions are contained to zero-level and enhance the quality of air we breathe. This project began with high school students to increase their awareness of the fuel cell’s role in creating a clean (green) environment, and at the same time, it challenged them to understand the scientific principles of fuel cell physics and applications. “Hands-on” instruction was central to this project.

“Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright 2005, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Pidugu, S. (2005, June), University Industry High School Educational Partnership: Fuel Cell Energy Project Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15386