Next Big Thing! – Outreach Program – Polymer Semiconductor Education Kit: The new outreach kit will provide activities about the synthesis, physics, and applications of conjugated polymeric semiconductors. The kit will introduce the synthesis of electrically conductive plastics, polymer light-emitting diodes, and polymer solar cells. The activities will get students involved in solar energy and energy efficiency and will be built with inquiry-based learning around students’ questions. The overarching goal of the project is to expose students to the latest molecular materials technologies and applications, which have rapidly advanced in the past 10-20 years. The education kit will engage students and encourage them to consider future careers in science and technology.
Dye-sensitized TiO2 Solar Cell Educational Outreach
We work with local middle/high schools, and undergraduates institutions to teach solar energy technologies such as the dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cell (DSSC). We have a commercial kit that is now available in collaboration with NSF-CCI-solar program at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. These activities engage students in chemistry, biology, and physics classrooms with activities that overlap into each discipline. Contact Prof. Walter for more information or if you are interested in becoming involved.
Our Outreach efforts were published in Northwest Science and Technology.
“Berry Power to Engage High School Students”
Blackberry Solar Cells – UNC Charlotte Science and Technology Expo – Spring 2012
On April 29th, 2012 our group hosted a build-your-own blackberry juice solar cell demo in which students of all ages could come forward and build their own solar cell using TiO2 electrodes and crushed blackberries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds. It was a lot of fun and thank goodness the Walter group could help out with the construction and testing! Check out the Facebook page for the UNCC Expo and the Juice from Juice page.
“Juice from Juice” kit from Arbor Scientific
