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:

Bibliography

  1. Amadeo, Kimberly. "Why Drought Is the Biggest Climate Change Worry for Most Americans." The Balance. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.thebalance.com/drought-definition-effects-examples-and-solutions-4157896.
  2. Bigclivedotcom, ”A simple guide to electronic components.” YouTube Video, 38:05, Mar 15, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Maq5IyHSuc&list=LLhtSr_j8FMfiVF5Rv8DXzlw&index=1108 Science Buddies. "How to Use a Breadboard." Science Buddies. April 01, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/references/how-to-use-a-breadboard.
  3. "California." California | Drought.gov. June 19, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.drought.gov/drought/states/california.
  4. California Department of Food and Agriculture. "California Agricultural Production Statistics." CDFA. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/#:~:text=California's agricultural abundance includes more,the nation's total agricultural value.
  5. "City of Santa Cruz." Understanding Per Capita Water Use | City of Santa Cruz. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/water/conservation/more-information/per-capita-water-use.
  6. Electronics Donation and Recycling." EPA. May 19, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling.
  7. How Much Water Is There on Earth? Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects.
  8. Monthly Water Tracker." Santa Clara Valley Water. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.valleywater.org/your-water/water-supply-planning/monthly-water-tracker.
  9. Riggio, Ronald E. "Characteristics of Good Work Team Members." Psychology Today. January 15, 2013. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201301/characteristics-good-work-team-members.
  10. Says:, Parker Alamo, Mark Says:, Debrah McCabe Says:, Joe Says:, Edward Irizarry Says:, Amanda Salazar Says:, Deepak Says:, Yourmom Says:, and Name *. "Future Widespread Water Shortage Likely in U.S." Science in the News. March 20, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2020. http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2019/widespread-water-shortage-likely-in-u-s-caused-by-population-growth-and-climate-change/.
  11. Science Buddies. "Green Technology: Build an Electronic Soil Moisture Sensor to Conserve Water: Science Project." Science Buddies. June 23, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Elec_p066/electricity-electronics/build-an-electronic-soil-moisture-sensor-to-conserve-water#table1.
  12. Science Buddies. "Green Technology: Build an Electronic Soil Moisture Sensor to Conserve Water: Science Project." Science Buddies. June 23, 2020. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Elec_p066/electricity-electronics/build-an-electronic-soil-moisture-sensor-to-conserve-water#materials.
  13. Science Buddies. "How to Use a Breadboard." Science Buddies. April 01, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/references/how-to-use-a-breadboard.
  14. Science Buddies. "The Engineering Design Process." Science Buddies. May 19, 2020. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/engineering-design-process/engineering-design-process-steps.
  15. “Smart Water User and Saver Home." H2OUSE. October 08, 2019. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.h2ouse.net/.
  16. "Water Treatment Solutions." Lenntech Water Treatment & Purification. Accessed July 14, 2020. https://www.lenntech.com/water-usage-faq.htm#:~:text=We use water to drink,the industries and in agriculture.

Comments:

Jhansi Sunkerneni

April 11, 2022 at 4:26 pm

Soil Moisture Sensor Reflections

I was able to complete this unit with students, as students are back in the classroom after Covid. Here is a summary of my reflections: Students who didn’t finish this project got help from teams that completed early. 80% of the students were able to complete building and testing the soil moisture sensor. Some of the challenges that students faced are listed below: Short circuited the snap connector and the battery. Had to cut, strip the wire, and twist the wires before inserting it in the breadboard a second time. Made wrong connections, as they didn’t follow the instructions carefully. Fixed the problem by re-reading the instructions and following the instructions carefully. Using the wrong resistors in the circuit. Realized later, that the resistors that need to be connected to the soil must be the 100K Ohm resistors. The wires were loosely connected to the breadboard. Corrected the problem, by ensuring that the wires were connected securely. The snap connector was not connected correctly. Figured out the positive and the negative markings on the battery, and made the correct connections. The LED bulb didn’t glow due to polarity (placed incorrectly in the breadboard). Fixed the problem, by making the correct connection of the leads.

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