Arduino as a Tool for student lead scientific investigations

Transcription

1 Arduino as a Tool for student lead scientific investigations Presented by Sanjin Dedic Maker movement & the Arduino microcontroller make it possible for Yr 7-10 students to conduct investigations, gather data & arrive at insights about our world. Format: Face to Face Audience: Secondary Science Teachers who want to teach with technology Teachers of various elective subjects that include coding and robotics Description The vast majority of scientific investigations conducted today involve technology which effectively measures and records information about some aspect of our world. Today thanks to Arduino and the Maker Movement, the technology to conduct original and interesting scientific research is finally affordable, easy to use and very much classroom ready. In this workshop we will learn how to write simple programs and build circuits which measure and record data about the following: 1. The 'shutter speed' of the human eye 2. Human reaction time to sound and light in milliseconds 3. Grip strength in applied force in Newtons All of this data can then be recorded, graphed and analysed enabling students to look for trends and patterns with the goal of revealing brand new insights about the human body. We will also have a hands on showcase of various other measurement setups including: Passive Infra Red (burglar alarms), ultrasonic (sonar distance) and Sound Sensors. Australian Digital Technologies Content Descriptions Covered: ACTDIP025, ACTDIP026, ACTDIP029, ACTDIP030 Australian Curriculum Science Inquiry Skills: ACSIS132, ACSIS124, ACSIS146, ACSIS169, ACSIS170, ACSIS200

2 Occurrences There are no occurrences of this format in Australia (NSW) at this time. Sessions Introduction to Arduino, Microcontrollers and Electric Circuits We will learn about Microcontrollers, electric circuits and we will build simple circuits with LED's, Piezo electric buzzers, push buttons and transistors. We will conclude with the first program a simple LED blink code and an investigation into the blink rates to find the frequency range where they become imperceivable to the human eye. Colour Mixing Theory and its Technological Applications In this activity we will set up circuits which can do two things: 1. Create any conceivable colour by mixing red, green and blue light 2. Recreate a famous experiment conducted by James Clerk Maxwell which was the origin of this discovery Teachers will also be provided with BBC documentary footage and a whole curriculum mapped unit on the human eye. Defining an Ideal Mindset for Your Students 30 minutes After experiencing circuitry and coding with Arduino we can have a more informed discussion about pedagogy. Namely we will define the attitudes, habits and learning traits we want to instil in our learners. Then we will outline some strategies for motivating students and catering for various paces of learning. Human Reaction Time Circuits and Research Possibilities

3 In this session we will build a counter which starts when a light (or a buzzer) goes on and gets interrupted when a button is pressed. This very simple circuit and program effectively measure human reaction time to sound and light. In this session we will fill out some online excel templates with our results and obtain data which could yield new insights in how reaction time correlates with age, gender, using dominant hand and the sound vs light stimulus. Voltage Divider Circuits (Light Intensity and Applied Pressure) In this session we will cover the concept of voltage dividers and discuss their common applications. We will build a voltage divider circuit and then plug in two sensors one for light intensity and the other for hand pressure data. We will discuss possible avenues for investigation with these two sensors and share spreadsheet templates. Sensor Showcase and Implementation Q&A 30 minutes We can only cover so much in a day session but the possibilities for Arduino student lead research are endless, in this last session we will have a look at very simple code examples using the following sensors: 1. Sound Sensors 2. Passive Infra Red (burglar alarms) 3. Ultrasonic Sensors (sonar distance measurement) We will conclude with teachers sharing their ideas for Arduino projects they can run in their school and getting some feedback and advice on how to make these a possibility.

4 About the presenter Sanjin Dedic Creator Sanjin Dedi has a B.Eng in Mechatronic Systems majoring in Robotics and Computer Vision and spent several years working industry as an Engineer. He then retrained as a teacher and taught Systems Engineering and Digital Technologies at a secondary level. Recently he has been developing a series of technology programs for G.A.T.E.WAYS (gifted and talented education) covering everything from coding, robotics, applied mathematics and microcontrollers. These programs have been delivered to students in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Queensland. As a head of elearning at Techxellent he has combined his technological expertise with his educational experience to create innovative teacher training programs and resources.

5 Enrol now to secure your spot Limited spots are available. Please enrol online or fax your enrolment to to secure your spot. Please note, by submitting this enrolment form you are confirming that you have been given financial approval by your employer to attend this course. Cancellation advice should be given in writing 7 days before the commencement of this course. Product: Arduino as a Tool for student lead scientific investigations Occurrence Date: Your Name: Your address: Employer name: Employer phone: Enrol online at