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A TEAM from the Centre for Process Innovation has helped encourage scientists of the future by fuelling their interest in new ways of creating energy.
Youngsters from Corpus Christi School in Middlesbrough visited CPI’s fuel cell development centre and took part in experiments as part of the Children Challenging Industry project in the North East.
The pupils aged nine to 11 learned about fuel cells, the various renewable sources that can be used to power fuel cells and how they can help the environment.
The eager young scientists tried some hands-on experiments pressing home the message in a fun way.
A mini hydrogen car was used to show how the light from the sun on a solar panel can be converted into electricity – and how the electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen - powering the fuel cell to run the car.
The children then experimented by racing the cars, finding out which ran out of fuel first and learning how to refuel them.
They also used lemons to power an LED clock – and had to work out how many fruits it would take to create the same power as a 1.5v battery.
Children Challenging Industry invites pupils from across the area to visit chemical companies and allied industries – to demystify the process industry and enthuse them with a love of science.
Help and training is also offered to teachers, from helping investigation of science topics and delivery of national curriculum science, to forging links with industry.
Nigel Perry, chief executive of CPI, said: “This was a great opportunity to help explain the way that our work with new energy and fuel cells will help combat the problems of climate change the children hear so much about.
“Children naturally have inquiring minds and were very interested and enthusiastic about taking part in the experiments – and, of course, that made it a very pleasant experience for us as well – and one we would be happy to repeat.
“It is gratifying to think we could encourage future generations to take up a career in the process industry while at the same time spreading the word about the great work of Centre for Process Innovation.”
Corpus Christi teacher, Nick Luke, said: “It was a great experience for the children; both the class work and the visit were brilliant. It couldn’t be faulted."
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