As a high school or introductory undergraduate Chemistry or Environmental Sciences teacher, you can use this set of computer-based tools to help you in teaching the basics of electrochemistry, electrolysis and the application of electrolysis in fuel cells as an alternative source of clean energy.
This lesson plan includes resources to teach about oxidation states, redox reactions, half-cell, cell potentials, electrolysis, and electrolytic cells. It includes a hands-on laboratory activity to teach your students about the application of electrolytic cells for energy generation from fuel cells. These fuel cells offer an alternative to fossil-fuel based energy production which is the main contributor to global warming and climate change.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Chemistry or Environmental Sciences.
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
| Grade Level | High School, Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Environmental Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Electrochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Energy Security, Fossil Fuels, Carbon Emissions, Pollution, Reduction and Oxidation (Redox) Chemical Reactions, Half-cells, Cell Potentials, Electrolysis, Voltaic/Galvanic Cells, Electrolytic Cells, Fuel Cells |
| Climate Topic | Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Renewable and Non-renewable Energy |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | Online / offline |
| Approximate Time Required | 2-4 sessions, 40-60 min each |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Teaching Module (25 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Redox reactions and electrochemistry’ by Khan Academy to teach your students the basics of electrochemistry, oxidation states, oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, half-cells, cell potentials, galvanic/voltaic cells, and electrolysis. Use the in-built examples and exercises to extend your students’ understanding of various electrochemistry concepts. Emphasize on the process of electrolysis and electrolytic cells.
Teaching Module (15 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Electrolysis I’ by LibreTextsTM, UC Davis, to teach about electrolysis and to describe it quantitatively. Use the tool to teach how electrolytic cells are constructed and to describe several electrolytic reactions. Elaborate upon the differences between Voltaic/Galvanic and Electrolytic Cells. Use the in-built examples and exercises to assess students’ understanding of electrolytic reactions. Explain how an electrolysis reaction could be evaluated quantitatively. Finally, discuss how electrolytic reactions could be used for commercial purposes such as electroplating and in fuel cell technology.
Reading (10 mins)
Use the case study, ‘Fuel Cells’ by LibreTextsTM, UC Davis, to introduce fuel cells, describe how they work, and discuss the different types of fuel cells. Use the tool to describe the hydrogen fuel cell that is used to generate electricity, water, and heat and is used to power vehicles and even spacecraft. With no byproduct of carbon emissions, discuss how this is a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel-based energy production. Describe the other fuel cell types and discuss the benefits and limitations of fuel cells.
Classroom/Laboratory Activity (3 sessions, 40-60 min each)
Use a set of 3 hands on laboratory exercises- ‘Intro to Fuel Cells’, ‘Build a Fuel Cell’, and ‘Fuel Cell Characterization’ by Michael Fitzgerald, Cornell Center for Materials Research, to enable your students to apply their understanding of the various electrochemistry concepts discussed in this lesson plan. You may choose to conduct all or few of these activities.
Note: All the laboratory exercises are structured as complete teaching modules- with learning objectives, background information, step-by-step instructions for conducting the activity, evaluation exercises, and discussion points- and are available for downloading.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | A set of teaching resources: a reading, a video micro-lecture, and a classroom/laboratory activity | A set of tools to teach about galvanic cells and the use of their spontaneous electrical energy generation in batteries.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Reading; | A chapter by M. Cassir et al from the Handbook of Membrane Reactors to describe various electrochemical devices like fuel cells for energy generation.
This can be accessed here |
| 1 | Teaching Module; ‘Redox reactions and electrochemistry’ | By Khan Academy |
| 2 | Teaching Module; ‘Electrolysis I’ | By LibreTextsTM, UC Davis |
| 3 | Reading; ‘Fuel Cells’ | By LibreTextsTM, UC Davis |
| 4 | Classroom/Laboratory Activities; ‘Intro to Fuel Cells’, ‘Build a Fuel Cell’, and ‘Fuel Cell Characterization’ | By Michael Fitzgerald, Modules Library, Cornell Center for Materials Research |
| 5 | Additional Resources | Cornell Center for Materials Research Cassir, Michel & Jones, D. & Ringuedé, Armelle & Lair, Virginie. (2013). Electrochemical devices for energy: Fuel cells and electrolytic cells. |
| Grade Level | High School, Introductory Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Environmental Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Electrochemistry, Reduction and Oxidation (Redox) Chemical Reactions, Half-cells, Cell Potentials, Electrolysis, Voltaic/Galvanic Cells, Electrolytic Cells, Fuel Cells |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Atmosphere, Climate and the Anthroposphere, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | Online / offline |
| Approximate Time Required | 2-4 sessions, 40-60 min each |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Teaching Module (25 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Redox reactions and electrochemistry’ by Khan Academy to teach your students the basics of electrochemistry, oxidation states, oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, half-cells, cell potentials, galvanic/voltaic cells, and electrolysis. Use the in-built examples and exercises to extend your students’ understanding of various electrochemistry concepts. Emphasize on the process of electrolysis and electrolytic cells.
Teaching Module (15 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Electrolysis I’ by LibreTextsTM, UC Davis, to teach about electrolysis and to describe it quantitatively. Use the tool to teach how electrolytic cells are constructed and to describe several electrolytic reactions. Elaborate upon the differences between Voltaic/Galvanic and Electrolytic Cells. Use the in-built examples and exercises to assess students’ understanding of electrolytic reactions. Explain how an electrolysis reaction could be evaluated quantitatively. Finally, discuss how electrolytic reactions could be used for commercial purposes such as electroplating and in fuel cell technology.
Reading (10 mins)
Use the case study, ‘Fuel Cells’ by LibreTextsTM, UC Davis, to introduce fuel cells, describe how they work, and discuss the different types of fuel cells. Use the tool to describe the hydrogen fuel cell that is used to generate electricity, water, and heat and is used to power vehicles and even spacecraft. With no byproduct of carbon emissions, discuss how this is a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel-based energy production. Describe the other fuel cell types and discuss the benefits and limitations of fuel cells.
Classroom/Laboratory Activity (3 sessions, 40-60 min each)
Use a set of 3 hands on laboratory exercises- ‘Intro to Fuel Cells’, ‘Build a Fuel Cell’, and ‘Fuel Cell Characterization’ by Michael Fitzgerald, Cornell Center for Materials Research, to enable your students to apply their understanding of the various electrochemistry concepts discussed in this lesson plan. You may choose to conduct all or few of these activities.
Note: All the laboratory exercises are structured as complete teaching modules- with learning objectives, background information, step-by-step instructions for conducting the activity, evaluation exercises, and discussion points- and are available for downloading.
Suggested questions/ assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | A set of teaching resources: a reading, a video micro-lecture, and a classroom/ laboratory activity | A set of tools to teach about galvanic cells and the use of their spontaneous electrical energy generation in batteries.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Reading; | A chapter by M. Cassir et al from the Handbook of Membrane Reactors to describe various electrochemical devices like fuel cells for energy generation.
This can be accessed here |
| 1 | Teaching Module; ‘Redox reactions and electrochemistry’ | By Khan Academy |
| 2 | Teaching Module; ‘Electrolysis I’ | By LibreTextsTM, UC Davis |
| 3 | Reading; ‘Fuel Cells’ | By LibreTextsTM, UC Davis |
| 4 | Classroom/ Laboratory Activities; ‘Intro to Fuel Cells’, ‘Build a Fuel Cell’, and ‘Fuel Cell Characterization’ | By Michael Fitzgerald, Modules Library, Cornell Center for Materials Research |
| 5 | Additional Resources | LibreTextsTM BozemanScience Cornell Center for Materials Research Cassir, Michel & Jones, D. & Ringuedé, Armelle & Lair, Virginie. (2013). Electrochemical devices for energy: Fuel cells and electrolytic cells.10.1533/9780857097347.3.553 |
