SentinusSmart Gear

ProgrammeIn partnership with

Initial Teacher Education Institutions

Teacher Booklet

2

Contents

Page

Background 3

Programme Content 3

Timeline 4

Project Aims 5

Activity 1 – Cool It! 7

Activity 2 – Misty Motor 11

Smart Gear Project Brief 17

Celebration Day 18

3

Background

Sentinus, in partnership with the Department of Education and the Initial Teacher Education Institutions, is launching the ‘Smart Gear Project’ for primary schools in Northern Ireland. The programme aims to familiarise pupils at Key Stage 2 with some of the technology which is part of their everyday lives. It will focus specifically on the use of sensor technology and how this can be incorporated into the design and development of clothing for the future.

In recent years there has been significant development in clothing design to incorporate new technology. For example, the Cyber Jacket has a built-in computer, transmitter and receiver that will communicate with other computers to help in everyday tasks such as shopping or finding a book in the library. Backpacks and specialised jackets with built-in solar panels are used by mountaineers to successfully recharge various electronic devices. The design and development of ‘Smart Clothing’ will be a feature of items that we will wear in the future.

Programme Content

Each primary school will be linked with a trained STEM Teaching Ambassador who will support the delivery of the project while on Work-Based Placement. They will lead the activity sessions and guide the pupils through a series of practical activities using different types of sensors. In addition to training prior to the programme, Ambassadors will receive ongoing support throughout the duration of their placement, including a visit from a Sentinus representative to monitor progress in the project.

The project will involve a number of activity sessions which will last for approximately 11/2 - 2 hours, pupils will work on a range of challenges which will involve building electrical circuits incorporating the following:

Temperature sensors; Humidity sensors; Light sensors;

On completion of the workshops pupils will be introduced to the concept of “Smart Gear”, incorporating a range of sensors and devices which will interact with the environment. They will then be asked, with guidance from the STEM Teaching Ambassadors, to design and make their own garments incorporating sensor technology.

The programme will conclude with a Celebration Day on the 21st

March 2013 in Belfast where schools will be able to exhibit their finished garments and poster displays of their concept designs.

4

Timeline

Stage 1: Ambassador Training

Two half day training sessions for the STEM Teaching Ambassadors which will cover aspects of the programme to include;

o Backgroundo Format of the programmeo Introduction to the topic of electricity o Teamwork o Evaluating success

Stage 2: Delivery of Practical Activities

Workshop 1: Cool It! - Using a temperature sensor to activate a desk fan

Workshop 2: Misty Motor - Using a humidity sensor and ‘a breath of air’ to activate movement of a car;

Workshop 3: A Little Light Alarm - Constructing a light sensor system which triggers an alarm in a photographic ‘Dark Room’

Workshop 4: DVD presentation and brainstorming session with the STEM Teaching Ambassador on intelligent clothing designs.

Stage 3: Main Project – ‘Smart Gear’

The STEM Teaching Ambassadors will assist and work with pupils on their conceptual designs and integration of electronics into the various items of clothing.

Stage 4: ‘Smart Gear’ Celebration Event, Belfast, 21st March 2013

5

Project Aims:

Introduction:

The project will be delivered in two stages. Firstly, the pupils engage in a number of practical activities which will familiarise them with the basics of electrical circuits, the visual appearance of printed circuit boards and how sensors can be integrated into these circuits. The second stage will involve the pupils designing some personal clothing and then integrating the electrical circuits and sensors into the items of apparel.

Learning Outcomes:

Engagement by the pupils in the practical activities will promote knowledge and understanding of the following scientific principles:

The nature of electricity and electrical current using the analogy of water flowing through a hose pipe;

The concept of what an electrical circuit is and the difference between complete and incomplete circuits;

That a sensor is a device which can detect changes in its surroundings and these changes will allow more or less current to flow in a circuit;

A PCB is a printed circuit board and apart from all of the electronic components that go to make up the PCB, it has three main connections to it:

Power connection – this is where the electrical current is fed into the circuit from the power source;

Sensor connection – this is where the sensor is connected to the circuit and the sensor acts as a ‘brake’ to allow more or less current to flow. They will be using light, humidity and temperature sensors;

The output connection – this is connected to a device like a buzzer or motor. If the current is flowing in the circuit then the buzzer or motor will be working;

That a temperature sensor operates by detecting the temperature of the air around it and as the temperature increases it allows the current to flow more freely in the circuit;

That a humidity sensor operates by detecting water vapour in the air. As the amount of water vapour in the air around the device increases it makes it easier for electric current to flow in the circuit and make the output work;

That a light sensor is a device which operates in such a way that as the light increases it reduces the resistance of the device to current in the circuit and allows the current to flow more freely.

6

Skills and Capabilities:

Apart from the knowledge and understanding that pupils will gain from carrying out practical activities they will also have the opportunity to acquire and practice a range of skills and capabilities including:

Managing information; Creativity and designing; Working with others; Thinking, problem-solving and decision-making; Self-management; Communication; Numeracy; Literacy; Manipulation.

7

Practical Activities

Activity 1: Cool It! – Building a Temperature Controlled Desk Fan

Brief

Your office desk is close to a large window and in the afternoon when the sun is shining directly into your office the area becomes very hot and uncomfortable. Your task is to build a desk fan which is activated when the temperature reaches a certain level.

Background Information

This general purpose temperature sensing circuit uses a thermistor (temperature sensor) to detect changes in temperature. It is designed for use with a 4.5 Volt battery. When the components are connected the motor will switch on when the temperature rises above a set level. The sensitivity of the circuit can be set by adjusting a potentiometer.

Materials Supplied for Circuit: Materials Supplied for Assembling the Desk Fan:

1 x Generic Sensor PCB Board1 x Thermistor (1K)1 x Battery connector3 x AA batteries 1 x Battery box1 x Motor (MM18)1 x Motor Holder1 x Propellor1 x Screwdriver

Acrylic template with PCB & switch fittedSticky PadsVelcro discsScissors

All the things that you will need for the Fan Assembly.

8

Temperature Sensor(Thermistor)

Build it with Pictures

The PCB:

A PCB is a printed circuit board and apart from all of the electronic components that go to make up the PCB, it has 3 main connections to it, namely;

Power connection – this is where the electrical current is fed into the circuit from the batteries;

Sensor connection – this is where the sensor is connected to the circuit and the sensor acts as a ‘brake’ to allow more or less current to flow in the circuit. They will be using 3 types of sensors, namely, light, humidity and temperature;

Output connection – this is connected to a device like a buzzer, motor or LED (Light Emitting Diode). If the current is flowing in the circuit then the buzzer or motor will be working.

Step 1:

Get the Vinyl Fan template with the battery box, switch, PCB and motor with holder fitted in position

9

The Thermistor The Final Product

Step 2:

Fit the Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) to the Sensor Terminal on the PCB

Step 3:

Check that the crocodile leads are threaded through the holes in the acrylic template and connect the ends to the output terminal on the PCB. Fit the Propeller to the end of the motor

Step 4:

Connect the leads from the switch and battery snap to the power terminal on the PCB

Step 5:

Place the batteries in the battery box. Remember to place the flat end of the battery against the spring

10

Step 6:

Now hold the sensor between your thumb and forefinger for 2 minutes. Flick the switch to the other position if the fan does not come on. If the fan does not come on at all then call the teacher to check your circuit.

11

Activity 2: Misty Motor

Brief

You are asked to design a humidity sensor circuit which will activate the motor in a battery operated car.

Background Information

This general purpose circuit is designed to detect changes in humidity. It is powered by 4.5 Volt battery pack. When the components are connected as shown, the LED will light up when the humidity is above a set level and the motor will propel the car forward. (The sensitivity of the circuit can be set by adjusting a potentiometer).

Materials Supplied for Circuit: Materials Supplied for Car:

1 x Generic Sensor PCB Board1 x Humidity Sensor1 x Battery snap3 x AA batteries1 x Battery box1 x Screwdriver2 x pre-soldered wires to the motor

Precut and shaped Corriflute strip1 x metal axle2 x 39mm plastic wheels1 x Clunk Click Motor and gearbox with wires soldered 2 x 75mm plastic wheels4 x plastic rivets and collars4 x Velcro discs

All the things that you will need for the Car Assembly

12

Humidity Sensor

Build it with Pictures

Steps in the Process

Step 1:

Get the car body template and check that the switch is tightly secured and that the battery box connecting wires are soldered to it on the lower side

Step 2:

Check that you have all of the items shown in the photograph opposite

Step 3:

Slide the axle down the first channel in the corriflute, push one blue plastic bushing on at each end

13

Step 4:

Using the block of wood push one small plastic wheel onto each end of the axle

Step 5:

Get the motor and gearbox, check that the wires are soldered in place. Take two plastic rivets and collars and fix the motor and gearbox to the car body as shown below

14

Step 6:

Take The PCB and check the positions of the 3 terminals. The Sensor Terminal is where the Humidity Sensor is connected; the Power Terminal is where the batteries and switch are connected to and; the Output Terminal is where the motor is connected to.

Using the screwdriver, loosen all of the screws on the 3 terminals

Step 7:

Push the 2 legs of the Humidity Sensor into the two eyes of the Sensor Terminal making sure that the sensor is facing the correct way up (as shown). Tighten down the 2 screws fully with the screwdriver.

Step 8:

Turn the PCB over and apply a strip of Velcro hooks to the underside. Note the nature of the lower side of the sensor. Take a similar strip of Velcro loops and apply to the car body as shown in the picture below.

15

Step 9:

Now connect the Velcro strips together and place the PCB in position so that the Humidity Sensor is facing towards the front. Now connect the red and black wires from the battery and switch into the correct positions on the Power Terminal. Tighten down the screws firmly with the screwdriver.

Step 10:

Take the battery box and place a strip of Velcro Hooks on the underside. Take a similar strip of Velcro loops and apply to the car body as shown

Step 11:

Place the battery box in position on the car body with the Velcro making sure that the connection terminals for the battery snap face the front of the car

16

Step 12:

Now connect the motor wires to the OUTPUT Terminal on the PCB. The connection points are colour-coded Red and Black. Later, you will want to change these around if you find that your car goes in reverse. Make sure you tighten down the screws fully.

Step 13:

Place the batteries in the battery box making sure that the flat ends of the batteries go against the springs. Push the battery snaps securely onto the battery box.

Step 14:

At this stage you will not know if the switch is in the ’ON’ or ‘OFF’ position. To find out, simply take a deep breath and when you are close to the sensor, breathe out slowly onto the Humidity Sensor. If the motor does not switch on then simply flick the switch. Now write the ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ positions on the car body

Now you are ready to race your car!!

17

Smart Gear Project

Project Brief:

The practical work that you have carried out should have given you an idea of electronic circuits work and the fact that many of these have sensors built into them. We would like you to think about how some of these circuits could be integrated into items of everyday clothing. Examples of how these circuits could be used in everyday clothing might be;

A baby suit which has a built-in Humidity sensor linked to a buzzer which warns the baby’s mum if the baby is getting wet

A hat or cap which has a built-in temperature sensor that switches on a fan A disco shirt with a built-in temperature sensor which switches on a row of

flashing LED’s when the body temperature rises A shirt which has a LDR that switches a row of LED’s when it gets dark Other examples of more complex sensor systems are shown below

18

This vest measures the Oxygen level in your blood Change the switch on your

iPod

A jacket that works on the same basis as pine cones

The Celebration Day:

The Celebration Day will be held in Belfast on the 21st March 2013. Each school will be supplied with a display board and table. Details of the size of the board will be given to you closer to the time.

In terms of what is expected from each school will be the models that were built as part of the practical work and up to three samples of intelligent clothing or ‘Smart Gear’. Any models built can be displayed on the table while photographs etc can be put on the display board. The pupils can attach the items of ‘Smart Gear’ to the display board or they can choose to model them.

Advising and Supporting the Pupils:

Although some examples of ‘Smart Gear’ are outlined above we do not want that to be prescriptive and we would like you to encourage the pupils to be as adventurous as possible. You are supplied with a limited amount of electronic resources but that should not limit the pupils to consider only the three types of sensors that we used in the practical work. We would like pupils to think about other types of sensors like;

Common Sensors:

Quantity beingMeasured

Input Device(Sensor)

Output Device(Actuator)

Light Level

Light Dependant Resistor (LDR)Photodiode

Photo-transistorSolar Cell

Lights & LampsLED's & Displays

Fibre Optics

Temperature

ThermocoupleThermistorThermostat

Resistive temperature detectors

HeaterFan

Force/PressureStrain Gauge

Pressure SwitchLoad Cells

Lifts & JacksElectromagnet

Vibration

PositionPotentiometer

EncodersReflective/Slotted Opto-switch

MotorSolenoid

Panel Meters

SpeedTacho-generator

Reflective/Slotted Opto-couplerDoppler Effect Sensors

AC and DC MotorsStepper Motor

Brake

Sound Carbon MicrophonePiezo-electric Crystal

BellBuzzer

Loudspeaker

Good Luck with your Project!!19