Guide

18
Main Module | Energy from Mud? Thank a Microbe! Scientic Investigations
Investigation Question
How much power can a microbial
fuel cell generate?
ScieNtific iNveStiGatioNS
Activity 1: How does a microbial fuel cell work?
TEACHERS: In this lesson students gain familiarity with the assembly and
operation of the MudWatt™ Microbial Fuel Cell. Students make a prediction
of the expected outcome and then measure, record, and graph the voltage
produced over time to see how the power production changes with time.
Students are evaluated using the experimental and group work rubrics
provided at the end of these investigations.
Time
1 class period for
MudWatt assembly
Periodic monitoring over
the course of 20 days
Materials
• MudWatt™ Microbial
Fuel Cell kits (1 per
class or 1 per group)
• Soil Sample
(approximately 2
cups
• Smartphone with
MudWatt™ Explorer
installed
• Multimeter (optional)
(Note: if using a multimeter
see instructions for use on
Educator’s Resource page)
Vocabulary
Scienticprocess: the process scientists carry
out nd answers to questions or test ideas
Hypothesis: what you think is going to happen
(using prior knowledge)
Independent variables: the variable that is
manipulated or changed on purpose
Dependentvariables: the variable that responds