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Introduction of Renewable Energy to High School Students in a Summer Camp: Hands-on Experimental Approach

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Conference

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

Publication Date

June 26, 2016

Start Date

June 26, 2016

End Date

June 29, 2016

ISBN

978-0-692-68565-5

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Diverse Issues in Renewable Energy

Tagged Division

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

17

DOI

10.18260/p.25463

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/25463

Download Count

704

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Paper Authors

biography

Farshid Zabihian West Virginia University Institute of Technology

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Farshid Zabihian, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Education:
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering,Ryerson University, 2011
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 1998
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Amir Kabir University of Technology, 1996

Authored or coauthored more than 80 papers in Journals and peer-reviewed conferences.

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Abstract

The hands on approach used to introduce the principles of renewable energy resources to high school students are presented in this paper. This approach was implemented for the eleven students who attended the STEM summer camp at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) in summer 2015. The course was designed to include from the basic concepts of electricity to wind and solar energy as well as energy storage. First, the students were able to measure the grid power characteristics using an Electricity Usage Monitor. Then, they learned how to measure voltage and current using multi-meters. Next, they were introduced to the idea of renewable energy using the Alternative Energy Conversion Kit. After these preliminary steps, the students started to conduct experimentations of solar photovoltaic cells, solar thermal energy devices, wind turbines, and fuel cells. Through these experiments the students discovered (not lectured) the principles of operations of these units, the effects of various parameters on their performance, and their pros and cons. The students’ performance on the pre-and post-quizzes showed a significant improvement in students understanding. Their feedback also indicated that while they learned a lot, they had a fun time and enjoyed the course.

Zabihian, F. (2016, June), Introduction of Renewable Energy to High School Students in a Summer Camp: Hands-on Experimental Approach Paper presented at 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, Louisiana. 10.18260/p.25463

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