Introduction: Temperature Sensor for Hot Classroom

This project is designed to create a visual display of temperatures in a hot classroom. It is setup to collect temperatures every 5 seconds (for debugging), but ideally would be changed to every 30 minutes to save battery power.

  1. Sensor station will collect temperature and convert from C to F. Temp in F will then be sent by radio to the display station.
  2. Display station will read the temperature from the sensor station and will turn on a light corresponding to the temperature in the room.
  3. 65-72 = comfortable temperature
  4. 72-75 = uncomfortable temperature
  5. 75+ = too hot to learn/work.

Supplies

  1. 2 Micro:bits
  2. Forward Education Micro:Bit Header
  3. breadboard
  4. 4-jumper wires
  5. 3- 220R Resistors
  6. cardboard stand for sensor
  7. carboard box for display microbit

Step 1: Design Brief

Design Brief and Pre-Programming Flow Chart

Step 2: Create Sensor Station Code on MakeCode

Use the attached file to see the code for the sensor station.

Attachments

Step 3: Create Display Station Code on MakeCode

Use the attached file to see the code for the display station.

Attachments

Step 4: Assemble Display Station: Connect LED's With Breadboard and Connect to Microbits

Assemble LED's with breadboard and connect to micro:bit using Forward Education Header:

Setup Breadboard:

  1. Connect a ground wire to blue negative rail to the G slot on the header.
  2. Connect a green LED
  3. Long leg is plugged into row 3, column j.
  4. Short leg is plugged into blue negative rail on 4.
  5. Set up the resistor
  6. Insert a 220Ω resistor into row 3, column e.
  7. Insert the other leg into row 3, column g.
  8. Connect a jumper wire from row 3 to the 0 slot on the header.
  9. Connect a yellow LED
  10. long leg is plugged into row 5, column j
  11. short leg is plugged into blue negative rail on 6.
  12. Set up the resistor
  13. Insert one leg of the 220Ω resistor into row 5, column e.
  14. Insert the other leg into row 5, column g.
  15. Connect a jumper wire from row 5 to the 1 slot on the header.
  16. Connect a red LED
  17. long leg is plugged into row 8, column j
  18. short leg is plugged into blue negative rail on 9.
  19. Set up the resistor
  20. Insert one leg of the 220Ω resistor into row 8, column e.
  21. Insert the other leg into row 8, column g.
  22. Connect a jumper wire from row 8 to the 2 slot on the header.

Connect to Forward Education Header:

  1. Connect the other end of the ground wire into the g slot on the back of the header.
  2. Connect the other end of the wire in row 3 to the 0 slot on the back of the header.
  3. Connect the other end of the wire in row 5 to the 1 slot on the back of the header.
  4. Connect the other end of the wire in row 8 to the 2 slot on the back of the header

Step 5: Design Cardboard Setup for Project

Design cardboard setup for project. Something similar to what is shown in pictures.

Step 6: Test Code

  1. Download codes to both micro:bits.
  2. Add battery packs to both.
  3. If needed, grab an ice pack and hot water to test out temperature sensor micro:bit.
  4. place micro:bit on ice pack to cool it down.
  5. hold micro:bit over steam of hot water to heat back up
  6. When the temperature on the sensor station is between 65F and 72F, the green light should turn on.
  7. When the temperature on the sensor station is between 72F and 75F, the yellow light should turn on.
  8. When the temperature on the sensor station is between 75F or higher, the red light should turn on.
  9. If not working, make sure the breadboard is set up correctly and that the micro:bit code created correctly and downloaded again to both micro:bits as needed.

Step 7: Test Temperature Station in Your Classroom!

  1. Take your setup to your classroom and let it work!
  2. LED's should light up as the temperature increases.
  3. Hope your district decides to do something about the hot temperatures in your room (with no AC).