Physical Computing for Science Education

What is Arduino?

Arduino is a term that encompasses many things.

• Hardware: Arduino Development Board - the body of the device. Various sensors are connected here, and user-developed programs are loaded here.

• Software: Arduino IDE - A tool for users to develop programs for Arduino devices. Since it is based on the C language, it follows the C syntax.

Why use Arduino?

Various measuring devices can be made at a low cost.

• As the number of project-based inquiry activities in schools increases, the topics of inquiry are also becoming very diverse, requiring a variety of measurement devices.

• However, it is costly for a school to have all kinds of measurement devices. Arduino can substitute various measurement devices by simply replacing the sensor.

Students can customize their devices to fit on their inquiries

• Ready-made measuring devices are difficult to use in a variety of exploration situations.

  • For example, suppose students measure the fine dust concentration for a week. 

  • To do this with ready-made equipment, the user has to handle the device staying next to the device for a week.

• Since the software of devices is also developed by the user.

• They can adjust detailed settings for measurement.

  • In addition, measurement data can be transmitted remotely via the Internet using Wi-Fi or a cellular module.

  • Of course, it is also possible to remotely check the device's data in real-time.

Is coding difficult for students?

• Yes. Students have a lot of trouble doing text-based coding.

  • So we use a block-based programming tool called mBlock.

  • mBlock is rooted in Scratch. Many students have already encountered block coding tools such as Scratch and Entry.

  • mBlock allows students to start coding for Arduino in a more familiar environment.

• We developed and released the mBlock extension block for various modules and sensors required for school science measurement activities.

  • LTE, Wi-Fi, LCD, fine dust, CO2, O3, NO2, HCH, acceleration

One group should bring one notebook for programming, and install these programs before joining the class.

• Personal laptop (Windows recommended, Mac or Linux also available / Chromebook may be possible but I'm not sure.)

• Installation

  1. mBlock 5: https://dl.makeblock.com/mblock5/win32/V5.4.0.exe

  2. Hercules: https://conv.science/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hercules_3-2-8.exe

  3. Arduino IDE: https://downloads.arduino.cc/arduino-1.8.19-windows.exe (optional, if you want to do text-coding. We don't use it today).

• Preparing the Facebook or Google account.

  1. You will access IoT Platforms using your Facebook or Google accounts: https://iot.conv.science:8443 (Just login, automatically registered)

1. Measure the temperature and humidity and print them on the computer screen

We're making the thermohygrometer (溫濕度計) using the DHT11 sensor.

2. Transmit the measured data to the IoT platform and visualize it.

Data measured using the LTE module will be transmitted to the IoT platform via the Internet. And this data will be visualized on the IoT Platform.

3. Adding carbon dioxide or fine dust sensors

We will add sensors that measure carbon dioxide and fine dust.

And we will visualize it again on the IoT Platform. This step covers how to draw graphs more precisely: labeling axis, adding units, changing colors, etc...