Link to Class Home

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.