FCHgo, Fuel Cells HydroGen educational model for schools
FCHgo is an EU-funded project dedicated to fostering knowledge about fuel cell and hydrogen technology in schools and beyond. FCHgo supports a practice-oriented and holistic science education, sparking students’ excitement and curiosity about renewable energy.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, yet its potential for a sustainable future of our planet is rarely treated in European classrooms: that is why FCHgo seeks to develop and implement an innovative hydrogen and fuel cell educational model for pupils together with teachers and stakeholders from the hydrogen industries.
The project encourages teachers, pupils and their parents to explore and learn more about the potential of hydrogen through inspiring and hands-on activities: this innovative educational model is based on stories, games and close-to-life experiments, aiming at demonstrating that what is taught in schools has close connections to real life. Not only do pupils aged 8 to 18 acquire knowledge about hydrogen, but they also build up key competences in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Basic information
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FCHgo co-designed an innovative Educational Programme Delivery Model (EPDM) based on already existing materials for education in the field of energy and energy technology.
The project involved key actors in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen – namely teachers, researchers, industry leaders – to acquire pivotal information related to the impacts of these technologies: local workshops with stakeholders in partner countries allowed insightful discussions on contents and modalities, in line with pupils’ age. The pedagogical content of the FCHgo EPDM and its materials were then validated by the Scientific Advisory Board, relevant players in this field and partners.
FCHgo proposes a comprehensive path for students and teachers to learn (and teach) about hydrogen and renewable energy both in schools and at home.
- FCHgo Toolkit: this set of instruments combines illustrative stories, games, play and hands-on experiments to “Discover the energy of hydrogen”, as its name suggests.
The consortium developed two different types of toolkits, one aimed at pupils aged 8 to13, one for students from 14 to 18:- Toolkit for kids contains:
- playing cards and roleplay instructions to translate energy processes into play
- storybook conveying the nature of energy through narrative and pictures
- animation illustrating the generation and transfer of energy
- guidelines for simple experiments
- Toolkit for teens contains:
- factsheets about hydrogen and fuel cells, their use and application in industry
- experimental kits for hands-on experience
- process diagrams illustrating energy chains
- Toolkit for kids contains:
- FCHgo Classroom activities: this pilot initiative taking place in partner countries is designed for teachers and school principals interested in forging new paths in energy education.
FCHgo Classrooms activities offer:- introduction and training sessions for teachers on hydrogen/fuel cells and how to explain this topic using the FCHgo toolkit
- three lessons given by an FCHgo expert team
- support to teachers for three more lessons
- the possibility of inviting industry leaders to present their field of work to pupils
- FCHgo Award: a European contest to encourage pupils to develop an innovative project, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy and FCH technology in an imaginative way: a movie, a photo story, a collage, a model or any other creative product that follows this theme. The aims is to stimulate curiosity and get students involved first-hand. The first edition of the award was launched in spring 2020 with future annual editions to follow.
- FCHgo at Home: the initiative intends to extend participation in the FCHgo project also to those who, due to COVID-19 containment measures, are staying at home with their families or are engaged in distance learning, yet still curious to learn more about hydrogen.
Pupils can:- choose one of the activities proposed on www.fchgo.eu/activities/at-home-materials (which are part of the FCHgo toolkit) and perform it
- take a photo or video as evidence
- post it on FCHgo social media (Facebook /Instagram)
- publish the content on social media (Facebook, Instagram, using stories) and tag the FCHgo social media