Solving Environmental Problems through Engineering

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 20.04.12

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale 
  3. Objectives
  4. Unit Content
  5. Teaching Strategies and Activities
  6. Teaching Resources
  7. Appendix on Implementing District Standards
  8. Bibliography
  9. Endnotes

Engineering and Testing a Soil Moisture Sensor

Jhansi Sunkerneni

Published September 2020

Tools for this Unit:

Appendix on Implementing District Standards

By working on the electronic soil moisture sensor, the following NGSS will be covered: Identify a problem/need (ETS1.A; already provided by me) which is to design a soil moisture sensor. Next, students will learn about the need to establish design criteria and constraints (MS-ETS1-1). The criteria will define the products physical, and functional characteristics. The constraints will be factors that limit the engineer’s flexibility such as time, cost, safety, and legal issues. Students will build a prototype which will confirm that their design will work (ETS1.B). The next step will be to test, and evaluate their prototype using the design criteria under actual or simulated operating conditions, if it works to their satisfaction (MS-ETS1-4). Later, they will analyze the test results, make design changes if necessary (ETS1.C), retest and present their work to the class. They will conclude with a discussion on how to safely dispose of electronic waste materials.

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