Teachers TryScience

Activity 1 - Calorie count

This activity will use the accelerometer function inside their wearables to track the number of calories which they have burnt by the end of the lesson (movements will be from participation in the subsequent activities)

1. Instruct students to put on a U8 Smart watch each
2. Instruct students to put on the U8 Smart watch and examine its various functions.
3. Locate the pedometer app and start the app.
4. Explain how the number of steps convert to calories burned

Kinetic energy (J)
= 0.5*mass*velocity^2
= 0.5*(weight/10N)*(number of steps * stride length / time of lesson)^2
Calories = Kinetic energy * 0.24

Activity 2 - Reaching the highest point

1. Instruct students to put on the U8 Smart watch and examine its various functions.
2. Locate the altitude app and start the app.
3. Explain the significance of setting the datum at the current altitude above sea level (press set height)
4. Subsequent relative changes from the datum will be used as judging criteria
5. Record each student’s change in height on shared spreadsheet
6. Challenge students to obtain highest relative change in height

Critical thinking

- Question: Why are the readings not accurate?

- Answer: Barometer which measures changes in pressure, hence change in altitude, is highly sensitive to movement and external factors. Any external factors which affect pressure will cause the readings to fluctuate e.g. air conditioning draughts,breathing directly on the wearable, fanning of arms causing air pressure changes.

Activity 3 - Staying Level
Maintain the main module level in 2 different positions

Pre-activity

1. Instruct students to examine the various components provided to them.
2. Ask students if they are able to identify the individual sensor modules and describe their function
3. Explain the purpose of each sensor and how each sensor’s readings are transmitted and displayed onto the UI on the computer via the bluetooth module
4. Students will now to assemble the sensors and bluetooth onto the main PCB board
5. Start the companion GUI program
6. Explain and demonstrate how moving the assembly will translate to a reading on the UI display
7. Magnetometer: turning the assembly to face a different direction should produce changes in the compass readings.
8. Gyroscope: rotating the assembly (in roll pitch or yaw) should produce changes in rotational xyz axis readings
9. Barometer: shifting the assembly up and down should produce changes in relative height readings (due to changes in pressure)
10. Readings from the assembly will be recorded and can be viewed on the user interface (UI) programmed on each computer.

Activity:

1. Each group will be required to maintain the assembly in one static position and one dynamic action. This is to be done with all group members holding onto the main sensor module
2. Observe the roll pitch and yaw degrees recorded on the UI
3. Static position: Keep the assembled components perfectly horizontal for a stipulated timeframe. 0 readings on rotational xyz axis for the 30 seconds or more
4. Dynamic Action: Keep the assembled components in rolling motion at 15 rpm (2 seconds for a 180 degree motion) for the 30 seconds or more

Discussion Questions

1. Was it easy to keep the board level and stationary with all group members holding onto it? Imagine if you were flying a plane, there will be many forces acting on a plane in flight, explain how sensors can help maintain level flight?
2. For a professional athlete, how would monitoring his performance help him win competitions?
3. How would monitoring the vitals of a disabled or elderly person, help them in theirdaily lives? Which sensors would be most useful to each group of people?
4. Suggest other possible uses for these sensors on a wearable