Arduino in the Physics Classroom: Sensors and prototypes

• B Padin ^[1]
  1. [1] Colexio M. Peleteiro, Santiago de Compostela
• Localización: Hands-on Science: celebrating science and science education / coord. por Manuel Filipe Martins Costa, José Benito Vázquez Dorrío, Josep Maria Fernández Novell, Carme Zaragoza Domènech, 2023, ISBN 978-84-8158-973-3, pág. 293
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Arduino is an electronics prototypingplatform designed so that people without anyknowledge of electronics can programinteractive devices. Since Arduino applies theopen-source model not only to software but alsoto hardware, the Arduino board and the sensorsand actuators necessary to work with it can bepurchased at a very low price. Thisdemocratization of electronics has opened up abroad range of possibilities in the world ofeducation, especially in STEM disciplines.Sensors can be used in the physics classroomto show relationships between magnitudes andto make measurements in laboratory work. ButArduino's educational use may go beyond itsmere use as a measuring device. Thismicrocontroller allows us to propose activities inwhich students design, program, and builddevices or prototypes to simulate phenomena,explain physical laws, or show concepts thathave been studied theoretically in theclassroom. Using an Inquiry-basedmethodology, students not only learn Physicstopics in an entirely practical way, but alsodevelop other essential skills, like problemsolving, digital literacy, critical thinking,communication and collaboration with theirpeers, or time management. This approach alsoadds a factor of motivation since it allows themto face problems from a more realisticperspective and close to how scientists work.And when students build their own devices, theybecome creators of technology, not onlyconsumers.In this presentation, we want to show how to useArduino as an educational tool in Physics inSecondary School. We will present severalpractical activities that can be used as acomplement to the traditional teaching ofphysics. Some are simple and immediate, suchas measuring temperature or pressure with asensor. Others involve the manufacture ofdevices –with different levels of complexity– tocarry out experiments with light and sound,address energy-saving measures, or studyclimate change.The activities shown are just a sample of theenormous potential of Arduino as a tool in STEMsubjects, not only Physics. We hope they willserve as inspiration so that more and moreteachers are encouraged to introduce thisexcellent tool in their classes.