SHS3 Engineering · Semester 2 Week 19: Embedded Systems

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 3.4.2.LI.1 - Learners should be able to design embedded systems to interface with sensors and actuators given design objectives.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Identify at least five different types of sensors and three types of actuators from a given list, stating what each one detects or performs.
Explain the function of an Arduino microcontroller as the central processing unit in an embedded system that connects sensors to actuators.
Design a simple embedded system circuit on paper, correctly connecting a chosen sensor and actuator to the correct Arduino pins (power, ground, and signal).
Write and upload a basic Arduino code snippet that reads data from a sensor and triggers an actuator based on the sensor reading.
Build and test a functional embedded system on a solderless breadboard that responds to a real-world condition, and present the results to the class.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Automation and Embedded Systems (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: Embedded Systems (4.2)
Content standard: 3.4.2.CS.1 - Demonstrate ability to design embedded systems to work with sensors and actuators. 3.4.2.LO.1 Design embedded systems to interface with sensors such as Humidity, Proximity, IR Motion, Accelerometer, Sound, Light Distance, Pressure, thermal and actuators such as motors, buzzers,
Indicator: 3.4.2.LI.1 - Learners should be able to design embedded systems to interface with sensors and actuators given design objectives.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 19 (Week 39 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 143

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Project-based experiential Learning: Through simple projects, the facilitator guides learners to assemble circuits involving sensors such as Humidity, Proximity, IR Motion, Accelerometer, Sound, Light Distance, Pressure, thermal and actuators such as motors, buzzers on solderless breadboards to be interfaced with the Arduino microcontroller. The facilitator uses these mini projects to demonstrate the relevant sections of code for interfacing these respective hardware and leaves the learners to manipulate the hardware and code to observe the changes which occur. These projects should be carefully selected to have relevance to the environment and interest of the learners. Examples of such projects could include but are not limited to the following: weather station, heartbeat monitor, digital thermometer, home security system, digital tachometer, water bottling system, water flow and volume measurement, and soil moisture measurement.
Self-Directed Learning: Learners are given access to online resources to explore further hardware interfacing projects for implementation and experimentation. Learners should be motivated to individually build and test at least three (3) of such projects on their own and in groups and present to peers.
Collaborative Learning: Learners work in groups to design, implement, test and document simple embedded solutions involving interfacing with sensors such as Humidity, Proximity, IR Motion, Accelerometer, Sound, Light Distance, Pressure, thermal and actuators such as motors and buzzers. Each group should assign a specific role(s) to members towards the solution of the challenge. Roles may, for example may, be modelled after typical design and production teams in the industry to give them the relevant exposure and develop team and collaborative skills.

Assessment (3.4.2.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Arduino Embedded System Kits
- Video documentaries
- Audio-visual equipment
- Laptops with MS Office installed