Transcript Introduction, PowerPoint

SENSE IT
Student Enabled Network of
Sensors for the Environment
using Innovative Technology
National Science Foundation Award #0833440
Snapshot v. Continuous Data
http://www.coolclassroom.org/cool_projects/lessons/miniunits/lesson1.html
The Sensor Revolution
In the 1980s, the personal computer revolution placed
computing at the average citizen’s fingertips.
In the 1990s, the internet revolution provided connections with
an information web that spans the planet.
This decade has ushered in the next
revolution, one that is connecting the
internet to the physical world; in effect,
the sensor revolution is giving the
world its first electronic nervous system.
National Science Foundation, 2005
"Telegeography Maps" at http://www.telegeography.com/resources
What is a sensor?
Definition:
A sensor is a device which detects or
measures a physical
quantity and converts the measurement
into a signal which
can be read by an observer or by another
device.
What are the components of a sensor?
Sensor - sensors sense or measure physical
data of the
area to be monitored (e.g. temperature)
Signal – the continual analog signal sensed
by the sensors
is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter
Controller – further processes the signal
Important Characteristics of a Sensor
•
•
•
•
Accuracy
Repeatability/Precision
Sensitivity
Range
Often choice of sensor is a tradeoff between several of
the above characteristics. For example, moderate accuracy
over a large range may be preferable to great accuracy over
a very small range.
Why are sensors used? (discrete v. continuous data)
Discrete or “snapshot” sampling
• Limited in amount and when collected
• Still very valuable as many sensors are not fully
developed
and for comparing against sensor data for
“groundtruthing”
Continuous sampling
• Many sensors in development – better sensors coming
• Can sample continuously, night, day, summer, winter,
sunny, raining, windy
• Can use data to make decisions in real time
Rivers and Estuaries Observing Network (REON)
The Sensor Revolution
REON is just one example of a sensor network. With
thousands of these networks connected together and
“talking and sharing” data, a greater ability to understand
and predict large systems like the Hudson River will
emerge.
The sensor revolution is underway and through the
SENSE IT project, you will be joining in the revolution.
SENSE IT Description of Activities
You will be challenged to:
• Design
• Assemble
• Test
• Deploy
• Troubleshoot; and
• Communicate with
Temperature, turbidity, and depth sensors.
SENSE IT – Module 1
Designing and constructing sensors to test water
quality parameters.
Students will use various mechanisms of data gathering
(e.g. voltmeters) to measure sensor output and will devise
experiments to estimate the accuracy, repeatability and
sensitivity of their devices.
SENSE IT – Module 1
Temperature
The first water quality parameter measured is temperature.
Temperature is one of the most easily measured water
quality parameters, but is also one of the most crucial
factors in the workings of an aquatic ecosystem.
As water temperature rises, biological, chemical and
physical activity will occur.
SENSE IT – Module 1
Temperature
Temperature is not generally constant from the water surface
to the bottom. An aquatic ecosystems’ water temperature is
a function of:
• Depth
• Season
• Mixing due to wind, storms and tides
• Degree of stratification in the system
• Temperature of water flowing from the tributaries
• Human influences such as release of warm water
from power plants.
SENSE IT – Module 1
Temperature
Why is it important to measure water temperature? Temperature
can influence several water quality parameters and affects
including:
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• Phytoplankton blooms
• Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)
• Bacteria
• pH
• Thermal Pollution
SENSE IT – Module 2
Integrate sensors with microprocessors (LEGO NXT), and
write simple programs to enable gathering, analysis and
transmission of sensed environmental data.
Students will then deploy their sensor system and use it to
make measurements of their local environment which they
will then plot and analyze.
SENSE IT
Student Enabled Network of Sensors for the Environment
using Innovative Technology (SENSE IT)
SENSE IT will teach high school students how to design, build,
test, deploy and interpret their own environmental sensors.
SENSE IT will span three distinct residential regions in New
York’s Hudson and St. Lawrence river valleys.
SENSE IT will reach at least 60 teachers and approximately
3,000 high school students in New York.
SENSE IT
Your participation and feedback will help to improve the
project for use with students all over the country.
The Sensor Revolution
Expectations
By the end of the project, you will:
• Design
• Assemble
• Test
• Deploy
• Troubleshoot; and
• Communicate with
Temperature, turbidity, and depth sensors.