Last month, students in Dave Sipher's Advanced Placement Environmental Science class at Potsdam Central High School were visited by Dr. Mark F. Mathias, manager of fuel cell research at the General Motors Corporation. Mathias was visiting Clarkson University's Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP) and was able to visit with the students as part of the Clarkson-St. Lawrence Project-Based Learning Partnership program, funded by the National Science Foundation. The partnership places graduate students in local classrooms to share their knowledge with younger students of science, math and engineering.

Mathias spoke to those he visited about his own experiences developing fuel cells, and the Sequel Hydrogen Fuel Cell by General Motors.

"Dr. Mathias' visit to the school provided a forum for the students to learn about the industry through someone who is a part of it," said Nate Barlow, a Clarkson Ph.D. candidate who works with the high school class through the partnership. "The experience enhanced and reinforced what they're learning in the classroom."

CAMP faculty members have significant expertise in electrochemistry and optimization of fuel cell systems that could be instrumental in overcoming current barriers to improvements in fuel cell efficiency.

Mathias' visit has sparked a discussion regarding a possible joint research partnership between Clarkson and the fuel cell activities at General Motors.

PHOTO CAPTION: Potsdam Central High School AP Environmental Science students were recently visited by Dr. Mark F. Mathias (second from left), manager of fuel cell research at the General Motors Corporation. Mathias spoke to the students about fuel cells like those held by students in this photo. His interaction at the high school was part of a visit to Clarkson's Center for Advanced Materials Processing.