Learning material

STEM Renewable Energies
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Researching renewable energies!

How can you generate environmentally friendly electricity? How does a fuel cell work and how can it be used to produce hydrogen? Renewable energies will be our most important sources of energy in the future. The generation, storage and use of electricity from the natural energy sources of water, wind and sun are clearly explained using nine models and 28 experiments. The powerful solar modules with many mounting options enable flexible use in the models. The included gold cap serves as an energy storage device and can release energy fed into the grid. The fuel cell is used to clearly illustrate how water is split into the two components hydrogen and oxygen. In this way, the principle of future forms of energy is learned and important skills are trained. With the comprehensive lesson plans, the STEM Renewable Energies can be used optimally in the classroom.


 

Time required
Each task contains detailed time information for lesson structuring.
Learning objectives
Making the basics of renewable energies understandable and sustainable
Age group
Secondary level
Number of pupils
2-4 
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Didactic accompanying material

Didactic accompanying material

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Topics and learning objectives

 

  • Task 1: Hand generator / muscle power


    Topic: Introductory model for renewable energies. Energy flow and conversion of energy.

    Learning objectives:

    • Forms of energy and energy converters. From kinetic energy (muscle power) to electrical energy. Application of gear technology.
    • The practical application of a multi-stage gearbox and calculation of the transmission ratio in the fast mode.
    • Technical use of a generator.
    • The forward voltage. A property of semiconductor diodes. 
       

  • Task 2: Water turbine / hydropower

     

    Theme: We analyse hydropower using a model and learn about an alternative form of energy for energy generation in the context of renewable energies.

    Learning objectives:

    • Forms of renewable energy and energy converters. From kinetic energy (hydropower) to mechanical energy (generator) to electrical energy.
    • Types of power plants and energy storage of hydropower
    • Ecological aspects of the utilisation of hydropower
    • Performance and efficiency of water turbines
    • The practical application of a belt drive as a means of transmitting motion or power between distant transmission parts.
       

  • Tasks 3, 4 and 5: Wind turbines / wind power

    Theme: We investigate wind power using 3 different models and thus learn about an alternative form of energy for energy generation in the context of renewable energies.

    Learning objectives:

    • Forms of renewable energy and energy converters. From kinetic energy (wind power) to mechanical energy (generator) to electrical energy.
    • Efficiency and technical challenges in the design of wind turbines of different types.
    • Calculate the potential of wind power.
    • Handling measuring devices.
    • Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy
       

  • Task 4: Functional model / solar energy

    Theme: We investigate solar energy/solar power using a functional model of photovoltaics and thus learn about an alternative form of energy for energy generation in the context of renewable energies.

    Learning objectives:

    • Forms of renewable energy and energy converters. From radiant energy (solar energy) to electrical energy.
    • Function, efficiency and technical challenges in the construction of solar systems.
    • Electrical circuits: Parallel, series, anti-parallel circuits- Handling measuring instruments.
    • Storage of solar energy.
       

  • Task 5: Charging station fuel cell / chemical energy

    Theme: Conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. If the hydrogen required for the combustion reaction is obtained using electricity from renewable sources, the fuel cell can be categorised as a renewable energy source.

    Learning objectives:

    • Forms of renewable energy and energy converters. From chemical energy to electrical energy.
    • Water electrolysis. Function and efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell.
    • The electrochemical reaction of cold combustion.
    • Storage of electricity from renewable energies (solar energy/wind energy).
       
    Introduction to the topic
    History - History of renewable energies
    Basics
    Further information

    H2 Fuel Cell Car operation

    Download: Building instructions

    Federal Environment Agency

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