Fairvale High School:
[~30kls SW Sydney NSW Australia]
Yrs 9-12 /.
Scientists rely on technology to enhance the gathering and manipulation of data. New techniques and tools provide new evidence to guide inquiry and new methods to gather data ,thereby contributing to the advance of science.The accuracy and precision of the data ,and therefore the quality of the exploration depends on the technology used. Scientific explanations must adhere to criteria such as:be logically consistent, must abide by the rules of evidence, must be open to questions and possible modification, must be based on historical and current scientific knowledge.
Matter is made up of minute particles called atoms, and atoms are composed of even smaller components. These components have measurable properties like mass and electrical charge. Each atom has a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. The electric force between the nucleus and electrons holds the atom together. An element is composed of a single type of atom. When elements are listed in order according to the number of protons (Atomic number), repeating patterns of physical and chemical properties identify families of elements with similar properties. The "Periodic Table" is a consequence of the repeating pattern of outmost electrons and their permitted energies. A large number of important reactions involve the transfer of either electrons (oxidation/reduction reactions) or hydrogen ions (acid/base reactions) between reacting ions, molecules, or atoms. In other reactions chemical bonds are broken by heat or light to form very reactive radicals with electrons ready to form new bonds. Radical reactions control many processes such as the presence of ozone and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, burning and processing of fossil fuels, and the formation of polymers and explosions.
Science often advances with the introduction of new technologies. Solving technological problems often results in new scientific knowledge. New technologies often extend the current levels of scientific understanding and introduce new areas of research.
Fairvale High is located on Thorney Road Fairfield West NSW Australia. Principal Jeff Bromage and Mr Zorbas had several discussions over the last few months regarding a possible pilot hydrogen and fuel cell science/technology educational program for the students of Fairvale High in the near future.The FCIA has come to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from June 2004 with the program, to expand it early in year 2005.
All Ministers' of Education from around Australia have received reports on hydrogen and fuel cell science/technology education over the last four(4) months. A final report has been written specifically for the NSW high school system, based on what subjects could best facilitate hydrogen and fuel cell science education. The subject list came from The Board of Studies, and the final report will be issued to Fairvale in October 2004.Up to thirty(30) other high schools in The Greater West of Sydney, will as well receive the final report in October 2004.Local Technical and Further Education Colleges (TAFE) including Miller, Liverpool, Wetherill Park and Granville received electronic copies of the reports as well.
There is of course large amounts of free information very useful for teachers and educators in the hydrogen and fuel cell science areas.These resources will be directed to the teachers at all participating high schools mentioned.The FCIA will seek teachers from all participating high schools willing to "Champion" the cause and ensure the program continues on progressing with projects , community and business support with sponsorships, and assisting the NSW Department of Education in formally including hydrogen and fuel cell science appropriately into courses within several years.
The FCIA will assist participating high schools with any guidance required and demonstrate fuel cell education modules available for class room demonstrations. It is hoped that the local newspaper and council of Fairfield City support the project as well. Such an official program albeit small, marks the beginning of hydrogen and fuel science / engineering education within the region.
October 2004: The NSW Department of Education and Training find no fault with the program progressing as at the 14.10.04,and a meeting between the FCIA and senior teachers of Fairvale will take place in the near future.The program may go ahead before Xmas 04 or early 05.
http://www.bpa.gov/Energy/N/projects/fuel_cell/education/The EoI will be tuned and submitted again in the second round ending July 31.
The FCIA is now progressing the implementation phase of the program with the Science Master and staff of Fairvale High School, with the educational fuel cell kits supplied by the FCIA.In his practical mode Director Steve Zorbas personally designed and built two(2) hydrogen fuel cell powered model cars for Fairvale High over several weekends..Mr Zorbas indicated that whilst it took some time and money it saved a lot of money overall ,and allowed the school to have excellent working models which were fully tested prior. The model cars were packed into an aluminium attaché case, along with the hand built gas equipment,batteries,charger,solar panels, and experimentation booklet designed by the FCIA.The FCIA is currently seeking sponsorship funding and have ordered twenty(20) fuel cell car labs due by the end of June 2005.The new fuel cell car labs are in fact fuel cell cars but at a cost of US$79.00 instead of over US$350,which was the average price some years ago.The new fuel cell cars will mean further cars will not need building due to the much lower cost involved.The FCIA has designed numerous educational applications for the educational fuel cells involved, in an assortment of model presentations.
June 2005: Has seen Bossley Park High School and Prairiewood High School receive individual model fuel cell cars( as below ) + instruction by Stephen Zorbas .St Johns Park High School, Bonnyrigg High School, Fairfield High School and Canley Vale High school have been contacted and a model fuel cell car built by the FCIA will be issued to them after the July/August school holidays(NSW).
July 2005:On the 20.07.05 Mr Zorbas attended Fairvale High School(9am) for a two(2) period class(Advanced year 10) with a further four(4) fuel cell model cars,and a model fuel cell powered speed boat.The local press attended via The Fairfield City Champion Newspaper .The high schools mentioned above are receiving their respective model fuel cell powered car + instruction manual, and a copy of "Australian Hydrogen Activity May 2005" courtesy of The Australian government (DITR).The hydrogen and fuel cell science/engineering educational program is mentioned on page "80".The new commercial fuel cell model car as seen below has received orders to date from Western Australia,NSW,and Tasmania.Australian Hydrogen Activity.
August 2005:The article was visible in edition released Wednesday 03.08.05(Page "18").A radio controlled model fuel cell powered car is near completion.This near build model will be for demonstration purposes. Another five(5) model fuel cell powered cars have been built, and will start going to the same number of schools from September 1 2005.
September 2005: Ingleburn High School, Macquarie Fields High School, Cecil Hills High School , Miller Technology High School , Casula High School , Hurlstone Park AG High School , Liverpool Boys High School and Hoxton Park High School received their model fuel cell powered cars and information as at 21/09/05(Cluster of fifteen(15) high schools completed).The program will expand in NSW in year 2006 starting, called "Moonshot 2010".The program was visible on Fuel Cell Todayhttp://www.fuelcelltoday.com/FuelCellToday/IndustryInformation/IndustryInformationExternal/NewsDisplayArticle/0,1602,6420,00.html on the 5/09/05.The program has applied for NSW state funding under the Environmental Trust's Educational Grant Scheme. An EoI is currently being examined and if successful, funds will be available in Feb 2006.Two hundred(200) high schools in NSW are targeted for year 2006, with selected primary schools, TAFE Colleges and Universities.EoI successful before the Environmental Trust's Educational Grant Scheme 18.09.05;A full application has been issued as at 21.09.05.
October 2005: More regional high schools have informed the regional head science teacher coordinator, that they seek to be part of the program. Robert Townson High School , Eagle Vale High School, Elizabeth Macarthur High School, and Thomas Reddall High School will all now receive their model hydrogen fuel cell powered cars + instruction by the end of October 2005.Thomas Reddall High School and Eagle Eagle Vale High School were completed on the 25.10.05.The University of Western Sydney(UWS) -School of Engineering and Industrial Design,received their car plus instruction on model decentralised hybrid power supply system(DHPSS)27.10.05.[18 high schools now completed with 1 pending].Elizabeth Macarthur High School completed 31.10.05.The program is on the front page of the International PowerTrain Review Oct 05 issue.The Oct 05 edition will be translated into Chinese and issued to China.
November 2005: November 1:Bossley Park High school received delivery of five(5) new model fuel cell car lab kits. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) received a kit by post as well.Cabramatta High school will soon become the 19th high school in Western Sydney to receive a model hydrogen fuel cell car(FCIA built) plus instruction, with Mount Druitt TAFE College NSW pending .Cabramatta High School received their model car + instruction on the 03.11.05.(19th),with Robert Townson high. Bossley Park High school received a DHPSS model for a period of ~two(2) weeks, to assess the unit-04.11.05.Robert Townson high received their model hydrogen fuel cell powered car plus instruction on the 08.11.05(Twenty [20] NSW high schools now completed). Mount Druitt College of TAFE received their model hydrogen fuel cell vehicle plus instruction today the 11.11.05.Mt Druitt TAFE College Director Anne Ford, presented the FCIA with a Certificate of Appreciation; Primary schools will now be sought from within the region.
] In early November the FCIA became aware of another program in Australia called "The Australian Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Education Program".The relevance of this information is that this other program applied for funding under the federal ASISTM program in round one(1),and received funding - "1088" http://www.asistm.edu.au/successful.asp?st=vic .At this time the FCIA's educational program on hydrogen and fuel cell science/engineering education had been running for some months. The curriculum corporation (administrator) was informed of this matter of alleged duplication several times by email and then in telephone conversations. The FCIA clearly defined its copyright issues as attached to its program and efforts to date in letter format, and issued this to the curriculum corporation. No response has been received to date other than an email indicating the FCIA failed in round two(2) funding for the same program.
A director of any company is bound to protect the assets of the company. The FCIA discovered information that it believes threatens its assets, and accordingly has issued an express communication requesting clarification. Naturally after a reasonable period of time elapses ,and should the matter not be clarified ,the FCIA must assess the situation and progress to the next action, for it has no other alternative. The FCIA is currently seeking legal advice on this matter and this may take several months or more, but in the interim Fuel Cell Institute of Australia Pty Limited will not again engage the ASISTM program from this time onward(12.11.05) for funding, and officially removes its support for the program.[
November 2005 cont.. Liverpool City Champion newspaper covered the program in the 26.10.05 edition on page "19".This now means that two(2) local regional newspapers have covered the program, with a third(3rd) being The Macarthur Advertiser possible within a week or so. The Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser edition 15.11.05 ,published an article on the program on page"34".The FCIA visited principal Jeff Bromage of Fairvale High School on the 17.11.05 to discuss the program. All sixty two(62) high schools in the South Western Region of Sydney ([20] already done) ,will be contacted before Xmas 2005. All public schools in the same region(100 +) have been issued a preliminary email on the 22.11.05 seeking middle school participation, linking with local high schools. The Departments' of Education for Queensland , South Australia and Western Australia all have received their new model hydrogen fuel cell powered car lab kits as requested by them, for evaluation purposes as of 30.11.05
December 2005: The Tasmanian Department of Education have requested a new model fuel cell car lab kit for evaluation purposes-1.12.05.The model DHPSS was collected from Bossley Park High school 1.12.05 ,in preparation for delivery to Mt Druitt Tafe College in the near future. December 5th 2005:Mt Druitt Tafe College received the model DHPSS
for inspection. December 6th 2005 :The program is displayed on International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) http://www.iahe.org/News.asp?id=11 .December 16:The program receives award (Framed certificate) from the NSW Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability (DEUS), as part of the 2005 NSW Energy and Water
Green Globe Awards-[ Education and Awareness category ].
UPDATE * First of its kind in Australia *
Teaching staff - High Schools in The Greater West of Sydney NSW/Australia
Years 7-10 fuel cell science/technology education with H2 and fuel cells -suggestions
Global Education Portal - H2 & Fuel Cell Science/Technology Education
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