{"id":12265,"date":"2022-11-17T11:54:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T11:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/portpatrickprimary\/?p=12265"},"modified":"2022-11-18T07:26:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T07:26:55","slug":"glasgow-science-centre-on-tour-future-fuels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/portpatrickprimary\/?p=12265","title":{"rendered":"Glasgow Science Centre On Tour – Future Fuels"},"content":{"rendered":"

Megan and Aileen from the Glasgow Science Centre travelled from Glasgow to tour schools in our area for a Future Fuels roadshow.\u00a0 Today was our turn for Primary 4 \u2013 7 to participate.\u00a0 We were selected as we have participated in a block of online learning on Future Fuels provided by the Glasgow Science Centre.\u00a0 The workshop’s aim is to educate on sustainable sources of energy for Scotland and the world.<\/p>\n

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We brainstormed different forms of non-renewable and renewable forms of energy.\u00a0 Carter was able to say that there are three forms of fossil fuels \u2013 coal, oil and gas.\u00a0 Rebecca said we need to burn them to release their energy and Katie said this releases carbon into our atmosphere, which is bad for the environment.<\/p>\n

Aileen demonstrated an experiment where she lit methanol, which is used in Formula 1 racing cars.\u00a0 It burned blue with a low flame.\u00a0 She then poured a small amount into a large water container, coating and turning to convert the small amount of liquid into a gas.\u00a0 She then dropped a lit taper into the drum which exploded the gas with a loud bang.\u00a0 This certainly delighted our audience.\u00a0 We looked an animation of pistons moving in a car using the same process to drive engines (suck- squeeze- bang \u2013 blow).<\/p>\n

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Next, we moved on to look at solar energy as a power source.\u00a0 We even learned about a new solar powered plane that has already travelled 56,000 miles.\u00a0 Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of sunlight, it has taken 505 days to travel that distance.\u00a0 So, it\u2019s not quite ready for our holiday flights abroad just yet.<\/p>\n

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Aileen discussed how we need to use batteries to store the surplus energy so we can use it when the energy source is not available.\u00a0 We looked at new houses with large battery banks powered by solar panels.\u00a0 Lewis said his new house is going to have batteries fitted to store the solar energy they collect.<\/p>\n

After that, we focussed on hydrogen power stations that split H2O to free up the hydrogen as a clean source of energy.\u00a0 Lewis had the tough job of turning a handle repeatedly to separate hydrogen from water.\u00a0 Once he was in the green zone, having split enough, we were able to ignite the hydrogen to create a big push (with a big bang too!).<\/p>\n

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We learned how nuclear fusion is a more environmentally friendly form of nuclear fuel. Unlike fission, this doesn\u2019t create radioactive waste or require mining for uranium. In essence, two hydrogen are smooshed<\/em> together to release lots of energy.\u00a0 Atticus demonstrated the chain reaction using a mousetrap ping pong maze.<\/p>\n

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Megan demonstrated how to use the interactive Future Fuels exhibits that were displayed around the hall before the children experienced them for themselves.\u00a0 The boys and girls were so enthusiastic and motivated to engage with the activities.\u00a0 Atticus said, \u201cIt\u2019s really fun learning about science and having a go at the different activities.\u201d\u00a0 Tilly said, \u201cIt\u2019s fun and it shows a lot about how to use renewable energy properly for our planet.\u201d\u00a0 Cameron said he would like a job in science as he likes learning about the different ways we can make fuel and getting to do things with his hands.<\/p>\n