The Fuel Cell and Car Experiment Kit offered by Hammacher Schlemmer offers children a look at one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. The overall quality of this experiment set means that children and students of all ages can use it extensively to learn these lessons. This kit can further be adapted for an educational setting and as a demonstration piece to teach students the concept of electrolysis.

The kit includes over thirty experiments for children to enjoy. The topics covered range from how to build a solar-powered car to the effects of radiation to the process and function of electrolysis. The information is presented in a fashion that is appropriate for students as young as twelve. Other topics covered include qualitative analysis, solar electrolysis, oxy-hydrogen test, and the decomposition of water in a fuel cell.

The Fuel Cell Car and Experiment Kit is well-constructed and includes everything that one would need to complete the experiments. The only major complaint that comes from this kit is that the wheels on the car are flimsy and are prone to falling off. Further, they cause it to be nearly impossible for the car to drive in a straight direction. However, this minor flaw detracts nothing from the overall quality and value of this kit.

Although the kit is focused at students as young as twelve, the lack of cartoons and other childlike markings make this kit appropriate for students of all ages. The kit costs $149.95 USD plus delivery.

This is a guest article by Dan Harrison who writes about top eco gadgets for EnviroGadget.com.

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EcoTots is a manufacturer of great looking kids eco furniture. The pieces are simple and easy to put together without any tools. You can even disassemble for moving day.

The furniture material is FSC Certified Smart wood and even the paint is eco friendly. Non toxic, water-based stains UV cured finishes minimize greenhouse gases.

Ecots is is part of The Simple Furniture Company, a privately held company and member of 1% For The Planet. They are located in Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana. Made in the USA! Even all the materials are sourced in North America.

You can buy online or see the retailer list on the Ecotots website.

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You get a cute stuffed animal like one of these and the real life version gets donated funds for conservation efforts through the World Wildlife Fund. You can teach your child the lessons of animal conservation.

You can also donate one of these stuffed animals to WWF’s toys for tots program…

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This cool looking futuristic car toy operates on solar. It comes with a transparent body to show inner workings or can be painted… You also have the option to use battery power.

From BoystoMenGifts.com $49.99

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Cool looking toy car operates on hydrogen. You add water to the tanks in back of the car and it combines it with oxygen to produce hydrogen. The car also has some cool blue led lights from inside the cockpit.

Hydrocar
$79.95 at the Discovery Store.

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Learn the power of sustainable energy with this kit. If it can be done with a model kit, it can be done with real housing. With this kit you can do over 70 experiments by building 20 projects.

Seems like a cool gift for adults or for an adult to learn with your young teen or 12 year old.

The kit includes windmill, greenhouse and desalination system. The energy taught includes solar heat and light energy, wind power, and electrochemical and plant energy. You will be able to build an electric train, solar cooker, solar hot water tank, electric motor, sail car and more…

It comes with a 96 page illustrated experiment book.

Power House: Sustainable Living in the 21st Century Science Kit
$149.95 at the Discovery Store

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This cool looking ant farm allows you to see ants at work. Its based on a 2003 space shuttle experiment. It actually requires no food as the ants feed off the special clear non toxic gel.

You have to order the ants by mail order though. I wonder if you can just get some ants from the yard… Anyways the ant farm is an affordable $19.95 from the Discovery Channel Store.

Discovery Ant Gel Habitat

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This rocket operates on hydrogen using tap water as its main fuel source. You can teach your kid the power of renewable energy. It comes is with an electronic command center that teaches the virtues of hydrogen. Once launched the rocket comes down to earth with a unique helicopter recovery system. The rocket will go up to 200 feet in the air.

Discovery Hydrogen Fuel Rocket
Only $39.95 at the Discovery Store

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These blocks are made of untreated wood and thus are more environmentally friendly. They are made from untreated beech wood.

They can also develop a child’s motor skills, and allow for creative expression. You can combine with other block sets for more possibilities.

Pyramid Building Blocks
$39 at the Discovery Store

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Super Green Boards is a company that makes eco friendly skateboards made out of bamboo. You’ll find a lot of fun facts on their website like it only takes 5 years for a bamboo stalk to grow to a mature stage, while it takes a maple tree about 100 years. Furthermore, bamboo is 17% harder than maple, making it great for skateboards since they go through a lot of punishment on the pavements.

The Green Boards are also constructed with low volatile organic compounds, and the company is research soy polymers and are looking for alternatives for fiberglass with bamboo too. Also keep in mind that bamboo can be sustainably harvested and can grow fast like a weed…

Via ecofriend. Check GreenBoards.com

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