How Ready is Renewable Energy? A Review Paper on Educational Materials and Reports Available for the Teaching of Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Schools

Abstract

Today, the costs of most Renewable Energy (RE) technologies especially hydrogen energy technologies such as fuel cells, are still beyond the means of poorer economies in developing countries. Hence, there is little public awareness and local expertise in RE in these countries and even lesser in hydrogen energy. To solve this problem, it is important to train local manpower in RE, starting with enabling local schoolchildren to learn about RE, especially hydrogen fuel cells. RE provides an alternative, sustainable and clean energy that improves the environment and human life, expands the choice of available energy sources that improves energy security, and reduces consumption of fossil energy in electricity generation and public transportation. Hence it is critical that teaching modules for exposure, acceptance and uptake of RE technologies are developed to suit local conditions. The purpose of this paper is to review recent progress and advances in RE education especially in hydrogen fuel cell. Important features of the modules, educational materials and reports are discussed critically. This paper assesses the literature on RE teaching in schools, especially in hydrogen fuel cells, and discusses the problems faced and the optimal period for cost-effectiveness. A curriculum that integrates literacy and social concepts with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts could be developed in the future. The literature shows that teaching and learning of fuel cells could be achieved by using the five "Es"; Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration and Evaluation, and also by promoting collaboration, team work, communication and design in project based learning activities. Most teaching materials include a project for students to build their own singlecell Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers, and to produce hydrogen by using solar energy. Appropriate and economic criteria are developed for the design and development of modules for teaching and learning of hydrogen fuel cells, which could be implemented in physical classrooms or on free blended online learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tahap Pengintegrasian STEM dalam Meningkatkan Kesedaran Murid Terhadap Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui

“…Tenaga-tenaga tersebut dapat digunakan secara meluas dalam pelbagai bidang misalnya perumahan, perindustrian dan pengangkutan. Sebagai tenaga alternatif, tenaga boleh diperbaharui mampu menjadi sumber tenaga yang lebih mampan dan bersih untuk kebaikan alam sekitar dan kehidupan manusia di samping mengurangkan penggunaan tenaga fosil dalam kehidupan seharian (Fang et al, 2021).…”

“…Penulis mencadangkan bahawa kurikulum berkaitan dengan bidang tenaga perlu diperhalusi agar lebih bersifat kontekstual dalam membincangkan isu-isu tenaga dan pembangunan serta penggunaan sumber tenaga di Malaysia. Hasil dapatan kajian ini disokong oleh Fang et al (2021) yang menyatakan bahawa penyelidikan mengenai tenaga hidrogen dan sel bahan api telah lama dijalankan oleh penyelidik di dalam dan luar negara Malaysia. Murid tingkatan empat juga mempelajari tentang elektrolisis iaitu proses penghasilan hidrogen yang paling asas daripada air (Neo et al 2016).…”

“…Murid tingkatan empat juga mempelajari tentang elektrolisis iaitu proses penghasilan hidrogen yang paling asas daripada air (Neo et al 2016). Namun begitu, hidrogen sebagai sumber tenaga belum dimasukkan dalam kurikulum sekolah Malaysia (Fang et al, 2021). Oleh itu, kandungan mengenai tenaga dalam kurikulum sekolah Malaysia perlu diperbaharui selaras dengan perkembangan semasa.…”

“…Perkara ini mungkin terjadi kerana kurang penekanan terhadap operasi matematik dan penghasilan reka bentuk semasa sesi pengajaran berlangsung. Kewujudan jurang dalam penyampaian kandungan matematik dan kejuruteraan dalam topik tenaga boleh diperbaharui mencerminkan kelemahan kurikulum seperti yang telah dinyatakan dalam kajian Lay et al (2013), Ocetkiewicz et al (2017), Middleton (2018) dan Fang et al (2021). Selain itu, faktor gaya pengajaran serta kurang pendedahan atau panduan khas pelaksanaan pengintegrasian STEM dalam kalangan guru juga boleh menyumbang kepada jurang tersebut (Haron, 2005;Nordine et al, 2011;Jusup & Sharif, 2021).…”

Assessment on the Acceptability of the Off-Grid Solar Panel Installation Trainer Board

“…Most instructional materials include a project in which learners construct one"s own single cell Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers, as well as produce hydrogen using solar energy. Appropriate and cost-effective criteria for designing and developing modules for teaching and learning about hydrogen fuel cells are developed, that could be executed in traditional classroom either on free blended online learning platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic (Fang et al, 2021).…”