Getting Started
Prior to class: Facilitator reviews blog posts before class, and identifies 5 - 10 great research sites from the previous week.
In class activity A: Sensor location review
* Review the student postings on publiclaboratory.org,
* Recap what makes the sites suitable or not,
* Discuss viability of sites in terms of physical access & power.
Teachers select which locations will be the first sites for sensor installation.
In class activity B: Introduction to the sensor units
Open and look inside sensor units:
* Note what each component is measuring
* Explain how each component works
* how is data being recorded
In class activity C: Assemble one unit
* Plug in the power jack,
* Insert the SD card,
* Screw the board into the housing.
* Review what is needed to install a sensor unit properly.
In class activity D: Class installs and connects multiple (2 - 5) units in the classroom or just outside of the classroom, for practice and experience.
Week 2 Assignment:
Take home sensor units
* 6 students in each class are chosen to take home sensor units in the first round
* In class, specify on the COSM webmap where the sensors will be installed
* Students bring sensors home and install them in their homes.
* These 12 students make a post on the blog detailing where they installed their sensor
Post includes:
* 1 image of their sensor unit operating
* At least 2 images of what is around the sensor
* Writing about what challenges they encountered
* Writing other observations
Sensors will remained installed for 2 weeks in this location.