Last Generation Solar Cells in Outer Space: A STEM Outreach Project with Middle and High School Students in Colombia
Perea JD, Gasca DC, Echeverry-Prieto G, Quiroga-Fonseca V, Orozco-Donneys C, Díaz-Montealegre LC, Ortiz A, Molina G, Cruz D, Persad A, Redd-Kantareddy SN, Wachsmuth J, Heumüller T, Brabec C, Rodriguez-Toro VA, Salguero C (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 6
Journal Issue: 1
Abstract
As part of an unprecedented collaborative outreach effort, we implemented an innovative STEM outreach project, where more than 80 middle and high school students from different traditionally underrepresented school districts in Colombia-with no previous knowledge on material science or photovoltaics-created Last Generation Solar Cells (LGSCs) that were part of several suborbital spaceflight missions. As a result, the students were able to contrast visual and instrumental data obtained from the solar cells and modules that were launched to space with similar samples that remained on earth to measure the degradation that occurs during spaceflight conditions. At the same time, the students that participated were able to cultivate their curiosity, strengthen their scientific skills and increase their interest in pursuing careers in STEM fields. These experiences were possible thanks to an extraordinary collaborative network between public and private entities and the use of project-based education as a powerful driver of development, especially for low-to-middle-income countries, such as Colombia. Here, we share our methodology for constructing photovoltaic devices in rural settings, and we show the progression and impact of this novel scientific outreach project.
Authors with CRIS profile
Thomas Heumüller
Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET)
Christoph Brabec
Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) (i-MEET)
Involved external institutions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
United States (USA) (US)
University of Toronto
Canada (CA)
TECNOGLASS
Colombia (CO)
Bayerisches Zentrum für Angewandte Energieforschung e.V. (ZAE Bayern)
Germany (DE)
University of Valle / Universidad del Valle (Univalle)
Colombia (CO)
Universidad Icesi
Colombia (CO)
Georgia Institute of Technology
United States (USA) (US)
National Training Service / Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA)
Colombia (CO)
Universidad de los Andes - Colombia
Colombia (CO)
Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (FHI)
Germany (DE)
United States (USA) (US)
University of Toronto
Canada (CA)
TECNOGLASS
Colombia (CO)
Bayerisches Zentrum für Angewandte Energieforschung e.V. (ZAE Bayern)
Germany (DE)
University of Valle / Universidad del Valle (Univalle)
Colombia (CO)
Universidad Icesi
Colombia (CO)
Georgia Institute of Technology
United States (USA) (US)
National Training Service / Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA)
Colombia (CO)
Universidad de los Andes - Colombia
Colombia (CO)
Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft (FHI)
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Perea, J.D., Gasca, D.C., Echeverry-Prieto, G., Quiroga-Fonseca, V., Orozco-Donneys, C., Díaz-Montealegre, L.C.,... Salguero, C. (2021). Last Generation Solar Cells in Outer Space: A STEM Outreach Project with Middle and High School Students in Colombia. European Journal of STEM Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/11353
MLA:
Perea, Jose Dario, et al. "Last Generation Solar Cells in Outer Space: A STEM Outreach Project with Middle and High School Students in Colombia." European Journal of STEM Education 6.1 (2021).
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