GK-12 Sensors!
Portable Module

Title: Knowledge Quest: “Sensors Surround Us”

Authors: Danielle Donovan & Eeva Hedefine

Disciplines: All

Introduction
This unit provides basic information on sensors through the use of a knowledge quest. It will allow students to use online resources to understand sensors that surround us in our everyday life.

Objectives
Students will access online resources to learn about sensors. Students will able to define the term sensor. Students will be able to identify sensors that they use everyday. Students will design their own sensor.

Science and Technology: Middle Grades

L. Communication
5. Access information at remote sites using telecommunications

• Computers with Internet connection
• Access to the following web site (http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/main.htm)
• Print out of the evaluation (http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/evaluation.pdf)

Procedure

1. Put students in groups of 3-4.
2. At each group’s table leave the following questions:

   1. What is a sensor?
   2. How could you use a sensor?
   3. What are some examples of sensors that you may use everyday?

3. Have groups discuss for 5-7 minutes on the three questions. (One person from each group should record what was discussed.)
4. Have a classroom discussion on the generated responses.
5. Write down the following web page on the board: http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/main.htm
6. Have students go to the link on their laptops.
7. Tell the students to read through the first page carefully.
8. Next, students will go to the task page to receive their instructions for the knowledge quest. (To get to the task page, click on the word task at the bottom of the main screen).
9. After they have read the task, hand out the evaluation sheet and have them proceed to the process page. (To get to the process page, click the word process at the bottom of the screen).
10. Encourage students to read through each link carefully and write down his/her responses on the evaluation sheet.
11. Once students have completed the knowledge quest, have students share their responses to Section 3 on the evaluation sheet.

Expected results

1. Students are required to follow the knowledge quest through all of the links.
2. Students are expected to read over all of the links and answer questions on the evaluation sheet.
3. Students are expected to be creative and brainstorm a sensor design. (What does the sensor detect? What application is the sensor used for? What is the shape and size of the sensor? Etc.)

Resources

Knowledge Quest Main Link
http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/main.htm

Knowledge Quest Task Link
http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/task.htm

Knowledge Quest Process Link
http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/process.htm

• Sensors and Detectors
  http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/sensors.htm
• Tagging of Pacific Pelagics
  http://www.toppcensus.org/
• Echo the Bat
  http://imagers.gsfc.nasa.gov/adventure/index.html
• Your fingers, face, and eyes in a whole new light
  http://www.opticsreport.com/content/article.php?article_id=1014&page=1
• Fingers
  http://www.opticsreport.com/content/article.php?article_id=1014&page=2
• Good News for Diabetics
  http://health.discovery.com/news/healthscout/article.jsp?aid=512783&tid=8

Knowledge Quest Evaluation Link
http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/evaluation.pdf

Knowledge Quest Conclusion Link
http://www.spatial.maine.edu/~ddonovan/conclusion.htm

Return to module categories list.