Four physics majors are working with Dr. Davis and Dr. Levine on data logger projects.
These are devices which control and read input from sensors and save them to an SD card for later use. Thus far, their designs utilize an Arduino microcontroller, custom circuit boards, and a simplified C-like open-source language. Versions have been fabricated to study biological systems, a factory floor-room in Knox Indiana (see March 18, 2023 post), beehives in Grand Rapids Michigan and a standard classroom model for use in high school and middle school courses on Earth and space science and environmental science.
Along with the data loggers themselves the are developing a book of lesson plans which meet Indiana state requirements for inclusion in classes in Earth and space science, environmental science, physics, chemistry and biology. The third part of the tool is an instruction packet on 3 different analysis packages (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and Apple Numbers) and how to do graphing and data analysis – something that teachers struggle with in teaching their students.
Versions of the loggers for physics and biology courses are being fabricated now and 10 local science teachers have expressed interest in using these devices in their classrooms. Specialized versions have also been fabricated for courses in IU South Bend’s department of biology: BIOL-L 102 (Introduction to Biological Sciences) and BIOL-L 474 (Field and Laboratory Ecology).
The team has just started working with the IU’s Innovation and Commercialization Office to start a company to fabricate these on an industrial scale. The incoming director of research for the University of Minnesota has asked to partner with us to provide dataloggers and lesson plans first for underserved communities. We aim to provide this integrated tool to schools across the country at very low cost in money and in required training of teachers.
Leave a Reply