The past two weeks in science, we’ve been designing, building, and testing (i.e. engineering) hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered Lego cars.  Students have learned how they can use electricity to separate water into its constituent elements, oxygen and hydrogen.  The energy imparted into the water during electrolysis is stored in the chemical bonds in the gaseous H₂ and O₂. Using a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell, that energy can be converted into electrical energy that powers a small motor.  This motor can drive a car!  The “exhaust” is pure water.

Coupled with a clean, renweable energy source (e.g. wind, solar, hydro) to execute the initial electrolysis, this cycle represents a zero-emission, closed-loop system.  The hydrogen economy is coming, and our 5th graders are way ahead of the curve.

As a fun capstone event, students entered their Lego vehicles in a hydrogen car drag race held in the cafeteria.  Please see the photo gallery for some action shots!

For our rocketry unit in a week, students will each need a 2-liter bottle.  A 20-oz pop bottle will also work.  IF you’re unable to acquire a bottle, please let me know and we’ll find a spare.

This week students have been exploring fuel cell cars – motorized vehicles that run on hydrogen gas and emit pure water as exhaust.  As the world’s energy future evolves, our class will have a head start in understanding the physics and engineering challenges involved in meeting the world’s energy needs.

Have a great weekend!

-Mr. Hardy

Students participated in a rocketry exhibition today on the soccer field!  Experts from MASA, Minnesota Amateur Spacemodeler Association, came to talk to students about the art and science of model rocket-building. The display was impressive, and many students from our class got to get their hands on the launch controls and fire them into the atmosphere.

Over the next month, students will be engaging in science and engineering activities focused on physics.  Stay tuned for our progress!

-Mr. Hardy

We have one more round of MCA testing!  The science test is new to 5th graders.  We’ve been practicing in class to familiarize ourselves with the format of the test.  This test covers content taught in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.  In other words, there is a ton of information that is presented!

All of Mr. Hardy’s class will take the test on Wed. April 25 and Friday, April 27 from 10:00-11:00.

You can see sample questions here:

https://mnpt.tds.airast.org/Student/

Be sure to use Firefox for this website.  Don’t have Firefox?  Get it here! (Chrome is even better, but I won’t go into here.)

Hardy’s math class takes the MCA Math test tomorrow.

We’ve practiced in the lab and in class this week, and you can continue to familiarize yourself with the test by doing the online practice test here:

https://mnpt.tds.airast.org/Student/

Have fun!

-Mr. Hardy