Research Insights and Challenges of Secondary School Energy Education: A Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Case Study

The research achievements of a university chemistry lab regarding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were transformed into a high school hands-on course by simplifying the experimental steps and equipment. Our research methodology was action research. We verified the DSSC course step by step. First,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2021-10, Vol.13 (19), p.10581
Main Authors: Chien, Sen-I, Su, Chaochin, Chou, Chin-Cheng, Wang, Hsiou-Hsuan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dye-sensitized solar cells
Dyes
Laboratories
Learning
Photovoltaic cells
Polls & surveys
Questionnaires
Science
Secondary schools
Solar cells
Solar energy
Students
Sustainability
Teaching
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The research achievements of a university chemistry lab regarding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were transformed into a high school hands-on course by simplifying the experimental steps and equipment. Our research methodology was action research. We verified the DSSC course step by step. First, 10 members of a high school science study club helped to revise the course over a school semester. A questionnaire survey revealed that all students agreed that the course increased their understanding of DSSCs and solar cells. Second, 35 students were enrolled in a 10th-grade elective energy course to study the revised DSSC topics for 3 weeks. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect students’ feedback, and students reported looking forward to making their own high-performance DSSC modules (4.60) and stated that being able to make their own solar cell was a great accomplishment (4.49). Third, the course was implemented at a junior high school science camp, and the 37 participating students were all able to complete the hands-on experiment. In the questionnaire survey, the students expressed that they enjoyed learning about scientific principles through a hands-on approach (4.59). Fourth, most of the 12 schoolteachers who voluntarily participated in the DSSC workshop agreed that integrating DSSC activity into school courses would be conducive to multidisciplinary learning. This course could facilitate participants’ self-evaluations in science knowledge, experimental skills, learning motivations, and positive attitudes toward sustainability.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su131910581