Middle Schoolers Receive Hands-on Experience Learning About Clean Energy
July 22, 2024 | Jordan Baker, Center for Clean Energy Engineering
Sparking interest for clean energy and renewable energy technologies in the younger generations, middle schoolers visited the Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2) to learn more about clean energy practices and research. In April, approximately 90 students from Highville Charter School came and visited C2E2 and UConn. The students, ranging from 6th through 8th grade, got an in-depth look at the Center and the research that goes on there. Their visit furthered the education they are receiving on STEM in their curriculum. The students started learning more about clean energy in various aspects of science in the classroom, but their visit allowed them to see it from a new perspective of engineering, potentially sparking even more curiosity in the field of clean energy or engineering.
The students received a tour from graduate students of the labs at C2E2. There, they were able to see demonstrations of the equipment that our graduate researchers use. Students learned about the function and importance of the glove box and placed their hands in the gloves to feel what it is like to work in this environment. They got to see a visual of the Reactive Spray Deposition Technology (RSDT), the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the optical microscope where students observed the high resolution of their hair under the microscope and interact more with the technology.
One of the teachers from the visit, Mrs. Daveisha Augustin, said of this hands-on experience, “Our students got an impactful learning experience from this visit. Students use observation skills, and as they learn and engage with the knowledge, it becomes tangible to them. Tangible experiences are limited in most classrooms, making their visit here valuable.” These hands-on experiences create a greater connection to the students and not only affect their understanding of the knowledge but allow them to envision themselves in this field of research.
In addition to C2E2’s labs, the students got to see some demonstrations of the fuel cells in action. The hydrogen fuel cell go-kart was on display for the students to see a test drive by one of the graduate students, as well as sit in it. There were also demonstrations of the model solar cars and fuel cell planes from other graduate students where students experienced a visual of solar energy in use.
Stepping away from clean energy and onto the main campus, the students visited the mechanical testing lab located at UConn’s newest research building, Science 1. There they observed a compressive testing instrument in action. Before their visit, the students constructed a structure in their classroom which they then saw being tested to determine its mechanical properties. Here they also got to work on their engineering skills by building the tallest structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows. They worked closely with more undergraduate and graduate students, as they learned about structural integrity of the structures they built.
Their visit did not just involve STEM but also a visit to one of the most well-known spots on campus; Gampel Pavillion. The students got to go inside and sit in the stands at Gampel, feeling the energy of UConn inside. They also stopped at the Jonathan statue outside of Gampel, a legendary stop for any visit to UConn.
This is just the start of more collaborations with Highville Charter and outreach opportunities within the Center. There is a strong impact that comes from visits like these, especially with providing students with the opportunity to envision themselves in, not only a research setting, but a campus setting.
Mrs. Augustin touched on this sentiment, “The visit has had a lasting impact on the students. Its hands-on educational opportunities have not only contributed significantly to their educational development but have also extended their learning beyond the classroom walls. The visit has sparked their enthusiasm for higher education, with many expressing a desire to attend college.” she said. “They felt a sense of belonging and acceptance on campus, which is a crucial step towards their future educational endeavors.”
This visit was funded by Prof. Jasna Jankovic’s NSF CAREER grant # 2046060 as part of her educational and outreach activities and supported by C2E2 and Science 1.
