Model 1: Analog sensors

Are the parameters correct?

Grade level

11-13

Time required

2 double lessons (expandable up to 3 DL)

Degree of difficulty

Model: easy, Programming: easy

Model type

Tabletop model with analog sensors

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MODEL DESCRIPTION / TASK

The students plan and implement an experimental setup for experiments with analog sensors. Starting with the simple resistance display in the interface test, they develop their own graphic display on the screen of the TXT 4.0 controller and measure resistance and temperature.

The programming is expanded to include the calculation and display of color codes (three- or four-digit, differentiation 1 and 2) for layer resistors.

EVERYDAY RELEVANCE

Measuring resistances and temperatures is familiar to the students from science classes or from their everyday life. In particular, embedding the topic in a realistic application context has a high motivational value.

The topic could be integrated into preprofessional orientation with regard to IT-related occupational fields. Here, the automated recording of physical quantities is used in many areas. Automated heating and/or filling is used not only in industry but increasingly also in the home environment.

Key Questions

How can sensors be used to measure resistance, temperature, and distances? (Communication and information)
Which sensors can be used to monitor production effectively? (Collaboration)
Under what conditions should the system report deviations from the norm? (Critical thinking)
What must be taken into account so that the sensor system can be used for different application scenarios and the system functions as robustly as possible?
(Creativity)

Subject Reference

Information technology

Advanced programming, conditional loops, functions, graphic displays

Physics

Resistance in circuits, temperatures, distance measurements

Technology

Stable construction, construction technology

Mathematics

Calculation of terms, working with units

Lesson Plan

Classroom discussion

Announce the topic.
Ask what the essential characteristics of quality assurance are in the filling/production of additives.
Ask about measured quantities and scenarios in which automatic measuring filling systems are used.
Discuss possible applications of the scenarios collected (e.g. coffee machine, kitchen machine, dishwasher).
Determine requirements for the experimental setup.

Support, if necessary

Show sensors and components from the kit, use presentation media if needed.

Classroom discussion

The procedure for building the model and the target function are developed jointly.
The work steps in the app are specified or discussed.

Partner or individual work

The students familiarize themselves with the app and load the corresponding task.
The students define meaningful functions of a measurement using the sensors connected to the TXT 4.0 controller.
The students use the app to create the requirements list for the experiment to be built.

Optional: Partner or group work

The students sketch possible setups for the measurement using the sensors (resistances, ultrasonic sensor).
The students discuss the results in the group and choose a design.

Optional: Presentation and allocation of differentiation

Students eligible for differentiation may be addressed by the teacher if necessary. The graphical display of the color coding of resistors is presented.
The app provides concrete ideas for interested students, including the display of three- or four-digit color codes on the display of the TXT 4.0 controller.

Discussion in plenary

Project debriefing in class.
Clarification of future possible applications in everyday life

Information and notes

Methodological and didactic notes

Differentiation options

Depending on the duration of the lesson series and the abilities of the students,

the result of resistance measurement can be displayed not only as a number but also on a scale display as well as a three- or four-digit color code,
the experimental setup can be modified to perform temperature measurements on selected objects,
the experimental setup can be changed to measure and display the filling levels of drinking vessels during filling.

Motivational aspects

The topics “automatic filling” and “quality monitoring” are familiar to all students from everyday life. In many households, coffee and washing machines, along with many other smart applications, have long been part of everyday life. Partially autonomous cooking machines are increasingly used in meal preparation.

Additional Materials

Drawing media (paper, whiteboard, or projection screen)

Building instructions

Circuit diagram

Functions of the Model und their technical solutions

Function of the sensors/actuators	Technical solution
Measurement of resistances	Measurement of conductivity (quality criterion) of the additive
Measurement of temperatures	Monitoring of filling temperature
Measurement of distances	Monitoring of filling amounts
Differentiation options for advanced lessons	Supplementing the numerical display with a scale display Integration of color codes and/or other resistance types Output of an alarm in case of under- or overtemperature Measurement of distances and calculation of the difference (minimum – maximum)

Material list

Sensor	Function
1 On/Off push button on the TXT 4.0 controller	Switch on/start measurement/stop measurement
1 NTC resistor	Resistance measurement, temperature determination
1 ultrasonic sensor	Distance measurement

Actuators	Function
1 display of the TXT 4.0 controller	Visualization of measurement results (as digits or as graphic)