Published: March 27, 2008 03:33 pm            

Students study alternative energy sources

Ben Davis High School students in integrated chemistry and physics classes are researching ways to lower gas prices. Kind of.

A month ago, 300 ICP students began research in groups, studying alternative fuel sources such as ethanol, electric, hybrid, bio-diesel, hydrogen, and others. The field was narrowed to two groups of five students, who presented their findings to a panel of experts in the field, recommended by Sen. Richard Lugar. The presentations took place in the BDTV studios at the high school.

“Now we’re in a global world,” said Brad Sever, instructional coach at BDHS. “It’s important to promote creative thought.”

Associate Principal Kathleen Carter said this project-based approach to learning has been well received by the students.

“When we began these projects, the attendance in our ICP classes went up,” Carter said. “I told the students that when they look back at high school, they will remember today. Because this is what life is about. There’s a problem, you figure it out, and there’s not just one answer. It’s not the traditional teaching model.”

Serving on the panel were Jesse Kharbanda, executive director of the Indiana Environmental Council; Dr. Andrew Hsu, director of the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy; and Mark Henry, chief project engineer of Rolls Royce. All three introduced themselves and their role in alternative fuel sources and also provided questions, critiques, and tips concerning the students’ research and presentation styles.

Each group had a powerpoint and each individual was responsible for a certain portion of the project. The groups that had advanced to this level explored the possibilities of hydrogen and electricity for fuel.

The hydrogen group — Daniel Johnson, Katelyn Shelby, Justin Williams, Elias Rebollar, and Russell Kiskaden — began by using diagrams to show how hydrogen is made. They also pointed out that the emissions from gas-powered vehicles include harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. They said a fuel cell, which would utilize hydrogen in a vehicle, only emits environmentally-friendly materials, such as water.

The panelists were pleased with the presentation but also had some questions regarding whether the group considered solar energy or even the safety issues of hydrogen. They encouraged the students to think outside the box.

“If you were elected to the legislature as a state representative or a senator, what would you propose to the governor of Indiana as far as how the state could benefit from this product?” Kharbanda said.

While students were caught off guard by some questions, the panelists encouraged them that it’s OK not to have all the answers and that’s why groups work together.

The second group presented their findings on electricity, claiming that this energy source was safer than hydrogen as well as money-friendly and nature-friendly. The group included students Keith Orr, Andrew Howard, Danny Dowell, and Raquel Guevara.

The panelists encouraged this group to consider the technology of a battery, considering how long a car would run on a chargeable battery.

“The batteries will take a car about 100 miles,” Henry said. “You don’t want to stop and recharge them. I guess you could stop, get a burger, something to drink, and charge your car. Then go another 100 miles. But it’s limiting in that way.”

The students themselves learned quite a bit during their projects, both from their research and the panelists.

“Before, I wasn’t too focused on alternative fuels,” Katelyn Shelby said. “But I didn’t know there were this many.”

Keith Orr, from the hydrogen group, said he would like to go into some type of research involving alternative fuel sources for cars.

“It was fun to put this together,” Orr said. “It was really interesting and I’d like to see what a real electric car looks and runs like.”

Overall, the panelists were more than pleased that students are engaging in alternative fuel sources and realizing they have a responsibility for the future of that nation’s energy crisis.

Hsu told the students that he predicted that hybrid cars will be very prevalent, followed by battery-powered cars, followed by fuel cell powered cars.

“There are lots of naysayers out there,” Hsu said. “They say you’ll never see commercial fuel cell or electric-powered cars. But a quote from the U.S. Commission on Science, a group of very notable scientists, told the government that gas turban engines were a very good idea but would never be useful because the engine required to power an aircraft would be much bigger than the aircraft itself. And look at the commercial airlines that all run on gas turban engines now. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible. It’s your generation that will make it possible.”

jamie.hergott@flyergroup.com

        

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