Carl’s Electronics is one of those out-of-the-ordinary educational toy vendors.
Although Carl’s can sell some pre-assembled test equipment and a large number of tools, their speciality is more like the cheaper kits, including new technologies, robotics, physics and computing. Ever since I built my first FM radio from a kit or 9VDC power supply from my uncle's plan, I always favored the build-it-yourself world by tyring all sorts of kits and I still do now after all these years.
If you have a daughter like mine who happens to be extremely curious and show some ability to become a good engineer, for beginners, you may try the OWI750 Salt Water Fuel Cell Car Kit.
http://www.electronickits.com/robot/owi750-Salt-Water-Fuel-Cell-Car-Kit.htm
Once accustomed, you can try to fit a solar panel or try any of the proposed kits.
If you have some time and more funds, you can try the complete kits where fuels cells are paired with solar cells.
Fuel Cell Car Runs On Water
Thames & Kosmos fuel cell kit
"Pour in the water and watch it separate into hydrogen and oxygen, forming a gas to power your vehicle across the floor. Now that we have your attention, roll up your sleeves and find out more through experiments and demonstrations you can do on your own...."
The fuel cell
"Fuel cells are one of the most promising means of producing energy in the future. Because they do not consume fossil fuels they are considered environmentally friendly. Automobile manufacturers are already experimenting successfully with this technology and it is widely believed that fuel cells will become the energy source for automobiles in the near future."
But fuel cells are useless by themselves and they need an external source of energy which should NOT be the grid but more like solar panels or wind mills. Then, does their combination promise a better energy future, especially in the world of transportation that desperately needs breakthroughs.
"30 Experiments include: How to build a solar-powered car; Effects of direct and indirect radiation; Characteristics of a solar module; Electrolysis and its effect on water; Oxy-hydrogen test; How to construct and load a reversible fuel cell; Decomposition of water in the fuel cell; Qualitative and quantitative analysis of gas in a fuel cell; How efficient is electrolysis?; How light influences electrolysis; Solar electrolysis; Fuel cell-powered car. Add your own experiments!"
"Kit contains: Complete reversible fuel cell (hydrocycle system), Wire, Motor, Chassis, Axle, Gas collector, 4 Wheels, Solar panel with support, Syringe, Tube, Digital multimeter, Test tube, Protective goggles, Labels, Bag of small parts for fuel cell, Bag of small electronic parts, Comprehensive lab manual with 30 experiments and demonstrations, (Additionally required: 1 quart of distilled water)."
The Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Kit sells for $124.95.
Fuel Cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts energy from a fuel into electrical energy. Fuel cells can operate continuously as long as the necessary reactant and oxidant flows are maintained. In this cell, magnesium is the anode, the porous carbon sheet (air) is the cathode, and saltwater is the electrolyte. This is known as an air-depolarizing type of battery.
The saltwater slowly dissolves the magnesium sheet to produce hydrogen ions that migrate to the carbon cathode, thus creating an electrical current.
