Community Outreach
Hydrogen Bus Travels in the Community
The Air Products Hydrogen Bus is out and about in the greater Lehigh Valley community … perhaps you've seen it? At each stop it makes, it teaches our friends and neighbors about the fuel of the future. Students, teachers, business leaders, elected officials, families, volunteers, senior citizens have the chance to experience firsthand what a hydrogen fueled bus ride feels like. Each time the Hydrogen Bus goes out, it is accompanied by a Hydrogen Ambassador (who is an Air Products employee) who talks about the exciting future of hydrogen as well as how the bus came to the Lehigh Valley, who our partners are, and any other hydrogen-related questions that come up!
Roosevelt Elementary School: A Community School
Budding scientists, engineers and mathematicians in 4th and 5th grade at Roosevelt Elementary School
enthusiastically volunteered to spend time after school on February 19 to celebrate “National Engineers Week”
with volunteers from Air Products. The program included an opportunity for the kids to experience first-hand
what engineers do and how they use creativity and innovation to solve exciting problems in science and math.
One of the activities was a chance for every student participant to ride on the Hydrogen Bus and learn about the
properties of hydrogen. As they rode the bus, the students talked and answered challenging questions about
hydrogen…and each one received an “I’m a Hydro-Genius” sticker!
Bethlehem Catholic High School
Environmental Science students at Bethlehem Catholic High School had a unique experience on
February 13th when the Air Products hydrogen-fueled bus came to the school.
Hydrogen Ambassadors Mike Peters and Laurie Gostley-Hackett shared information and insight with
the students in Ms. Jennifer DeMarco’s science classes. The students then had the chance to take
a ride on the bus and have further discussion about alternative fuels. The students were especially
interested in how the bus was actually fueled and Air Products driver Jerry Burton took several minutes
to explain the fueling process. Because of the initial interest in the bus, Air Products volunteers continue
to work with Bethlehem Catholic students in planning their spring 2009 earth day activities.
Northampton Community College
Members of Northampton Community College’s Environmental Task Force took a ride on the Air Products hydrogen-powered bus to learn about the potential of hydrogen as an economic, safe, and environmentally-friendly transportation fuel. The bus was the highlight of the group’s program at its February 2nd meeting.
Before task force members and curious students, faculty and staff boarded one of only two buses in the Lehigh Valley that are hydrogen-powered (the other one is at Lehigh Valley Hospital), they heard from Air Products’ Nick Mittica, commercial manager for hydrogen energy systems, about the alternative fuel.
Everyone then had a chance to board the bus and take a ride around the Northampton Community College campus. The biggest difference the riders noticed was the fact that there was no exhaust smell, which is common with buses that burn gasoline for fuel. The Hydrogen Bus will make a return trip to Northampton Community College this spring as part of Earth Day activities.
YMCA, Bethlehem
Volunteers from Human Resources showed extra spirit over the holidays by lending a hand to the
YWCA of Bethlehem. The group gathered much-needed supplies and materials to donate to the
YWCA to use in their programs. In addition, the volunteers donated clothing and other items that
were on the wish list of the YWCA for their work with the community. To add to the trip, the volunteers delivered the items on the Hydrogen-fueled bus.
Spirit of Volunteerism Awards
Today the Hydrogen Bus had the honor of participating in the annual "Spirit of Volunteerism" Awards on November 7, 2008,
presented by the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley and hosted at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley
IronPigs AAA affiliate. The Volunteerism Awards are held once a year, to pause and celebrate the companies,
groups and individuals who do so much throughout the year to make the community even more healthy and strong. Close
to 200 people attended the breakfast event, and the Hydrogen Bus was there for people to see and enjoy a unique ride.
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Hydrogen Bus was present at the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting at Stabler Arena on the
campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. on November 4, 2008. Over 1000 business and community leaders attended the event, and all
were invited to step aboard the bus for a shuttle ride to their cars or to meet HydroJen through her on-board video
and learn more about Hydrogen.
Fourth and fifth grade students from Roosevelt Elementary School.
The hydrogen bus at Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Members of Northampton Community College’s Environmental Task Force.
Volunteers from our Human Resources department.
Chris Miller (left) of Air Products discusses the benefits of the hydrogen-powered bus with individuals from several local companies.
Nick Mittica , Air Products with executives from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, who include Diane Donaher, Susan Gilmore and Dave Jacoby.