Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the BBC micro:bit

Sketch it! – sustainability

Subjects: Design & Technology

Approx. time: 10 minutes

Key words / Topics> BBC micro:bit> sustainability> energy sources> drawing techniques> annotation> programmable system

Suggested Learning Outcomes

> To use drawings to communicate facts and knowledge about sustainability.

> To communicate the main facts about sustainability in Design and Technology.

Introduction

This is one of a series of resources to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in Design and Technology lessons.

Reducing energy usage in the home saves money, increases energy security and reduces the need to burn unsustainable fossil fuels. The first step in doing this is monitoring how much energy is used each day.

In this unit of learning, learners will use the BBC micro:bit to develop a prototype for a home energy usage monitoring system

that will inform people how long they leave their lights and/or heating on during the day.

Purpose of this activity

In this activity, learners will demonstrate their existing knowledge of sustainability issues in Design and Technology

This could be used as a starter activity with ‘Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the BBC micro:bit – Developing the Programmable System’ as the main activity. It is an ideal exercise for learners to both demonstrate and develop their knowledge of sustainability issues.

Activity Teacher notes

1. Introducing the activity

Introduce the activity. Learners may work as individuals or in pairs. The activity will focus around the topic of sustainability issues in Design and Technology.

The IET TV video – Monitoring Home Energy Usage https://tv.theiet.org/?videoid=7823 can be shown as an introduction or starter for activities in this unit of work.

This activity can be used to encourage learners to recall

2. Sustainability issues – sketch it!

State to students that they will be demonstrating their existing knowledge of sustainability issues in design and technology. They will be using drawings to show what they already know about the topic.

1. Ask learners to summarise what they know about sustainability issues through a set of drawings.

2. The output could be a sketch, a storyboard, a warning sign etc.

information about the topic and to encourage learners to discuss their ideas to demonstrate deeper knowledge.

It also allows learner to develop their drawing and communication skills.

Learners may work in pairs or as individuals.

The focus is to use graphical techniques to demonstrate existing knowledge. Learners may use some words to help but this should limited to 5 or 10 to ensure a focus on

3. Allow learners to use a few words to help explain their drawings; a maximum of 5 or 10 words to ensure learners focus on graphically communicating the information.

3. Feedback to class

Ask a selection of learners to show and explain their drawings to the class.

Teacher to lead a discussion about what has been learnt – what new knowledge has been discovered? How could

graphical forms of communication.

this be developed further? How could it be used to develop a programmable system that will monitor home energy usage?

Differentiation

Basic Extension

Some learners would benefit from being pointed towards a specific area of sustainability to focus on.

For example, the use of recycled materials in products or reducing the use of unsustainable materials and components in the design of products.

Learners could discuss the importance of the 6Rs in design and technology. What are the 6Rs, why are they important and how can they be used effectively.

Learners could also investigate examples of products and systems that are designed to encourage and improve sustainability.

Resources Required files

> Projector/Whiteboard> Paper/exercise books/learner folders

Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the BBC micro:bit – Sketch it! Teacher Presentation

Additional websites

The following websites can be used for additional technical information and support for the activity.

> IET TV – Monitoring Home Energy Usage: Supporting IET TV video - ideal for use as part of a starter or introductory activity to support this resource. https://tv.theiet.org/?videoid=7823

> Energy.gov – Energy Saver: Government website looking at ways to save energy in the home. http://energy.gov/energysaver/reducing-your-electricity-use

> Energy Saving Trust – The Home: website looking at ways to save energy usage in the home. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/improving-my-home-0

> Bitesize – 6Rs: Bitesize revision page looking at the 6Rs of sustainability. http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials/designsocialrev9.shtml

Related activities (to build a full lesson)

StartersACTIVITY: Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the BBC micro:bit – Sketch it!

Plenary> ACTIVITY: Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the

BBC micro:bit – Calculating Energy Usage

Main> ACTIVITY: Monitoring Home Energy Usage with the

BBC micro:bit – Developing the Programmable System

> Opportunities within activity for presentations, peer/self assessment

> Reflection on Objectives and PLTS skills used

The Engineering Context

Home energy usage is an ideal topic for teaching about programmable components and embedded intelligence in products. These are key parts of the 2014 programme of study for Design and Technology at key stage 3.

It is also an ideal vehicle for using the BBC micro:bit in the classroom and developing the programming skills of learners.

Curriculum links

England: National Curriculum

Design & Technology

> KS3 1a, 1e, 3d, 4d

Northern Ireland: Curriculum

Technology & Design

> KS3 Knowledge and Skills: Control – incorporate control systems, such as mechanical, electronic or computer-based, in products and understand how these can be employed to achieve desired effects.

> KS3 Knowledge and Skills: Communication - use of free-

hand sketching and formal drawing techniques.> KS3 Knowledge and Skills: Contributors to Environment -

Pursue design solutions using environmental friendly materials and energy sources.

Learning Outcomes:

> Communicate effectively in oral, visual (including graphic), written, mathematical and ICT formats showing clear awareness of audience and purpose.

Scotland: Curriculum for Excellence Wales: National Curriculum

Technologies

> TCH 3-01a, TCH 3-02a

Design and Technology

> KS3 Skills: Designing 6, 8> KS3 Skills: Systems and Controls 21

Assessment opportunities

Responses and drawings can be formally marked by the teacher. Learners can peer assess each other’s work. Regular teacher questioning throughout the activity.

Personal, learning & thinking skills (PLTS)

> Team worker

> Independent enquirer> Self manager> Effective participator