Grade 5 students at two Red Deer schools will be testing out a new way to generate electricity from the growth of micro-organisms commonly found in garden soil.
The science project, ‘Microbial Fuel Cell Olympics,’ won Aaron and Justin Tan of Calgary, the Ten Peaks case competition award last fall.
Now, the Grade 10 and 12 brothers will be coming to Red Deer on Feb. 15 to share information about their innovative alternative energy experiment with students at Glendale and G.W. Smith Schools.
Red Deer youngsters will learn how to create electricity from soil, and then try to replicate the Tans’ process in the classroom, said Nate Siler, the science curriculum lead for Red Deer Public Schools.
Siler believes this hands-on and “conceptual learning” fits in nicely with the new Grade 5 science curriculum, which educates about different types of alternative energy
Aaron and Justin Tan grew micro-organisms in the soil at different layers to create negative anodes and positive cathodes — similar to how a battery works. “They used soil and living things to create a cell,” said Siler.
By stringing a wire with LED filaments between soil layers in a plastic container, the brothers were able to light up the filaments. And the faster the LEDs flash, the greater the electric current that was produced, Siler added.
The project will allow Red Deer students to conduct different scientific investigations, manipulating variables to see what can generate more electricity.
Siler is very impressed the two Calgary high school students volunteered to come to Red Deer Public Schools and present their learnings to other kids. The brothers hope to inspire other students to learn more about sustainability and renewable energy sources.
While the Tans created microbial energy as a science experiment, Red Deer students will also discuss some of the complexities of putting this process into action on a larger scale.
Can this process have a detrimental effect on the soil, wildlife, or on the whole ecosystem, questioned Siler. “There will be some great questions to ask.”
Microbial fuel cells are known to produce reliable, clean electricity and NASA and municipal water treatment facilities are investigating their use.