Science Technology and Ecology

a BCC STEP Class by Edwin Reed-Sanchez

The Earth is monitored everday, and all the time by sensor all around the world. From weather reports to our smartphones, GPS, heart rate; there are so many small computerized sensor gathering information for us to use. In this class you will learn how sensor and microcomputers work to gather and display information. You will build and program sensor technology using arduino boards, ESP32s, and raw digital and anologue components.

Introduction

This class will teach you the fundamentals of physical computing using microcomputers and sensors. This will lay the ground work for you to build a battery powered sensor kit that can be install in the field. You will learn Arduino Software (IDE), and arduino based microcontrollers, and ESP32 Feather.

Week 1: Intro to Electronics (IE) && Intro to Arduino(IA).

Learn the basics of Arduino programming.

• Day 1

  • IE Lesson 1: Voltage, current, and resistance
  • IA Intro to Output: Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3
  • IE Lesson 2: Circuit Schematics

• Day 2

  • Lesson 3: Ohm’s Law
  • Lesson 4: Series vs. Parallel Resistors
  • Lesson 6: LEDs
  • IA Intro to Output: Lesson 3, Lesson 4, Lesson 5

• Day 3

  • Lesson 7: Breadboards
  • IA Intro to Output: Lesson 6, Lesson 7, Lesson 8

• Day 4

  • Lesson 5: Resistors
  • ~~Lesson 8: Variable resistors
  • IA Intro to Input: Lesson 1, Lesson 2, Lesson 3

Week 2: Sensors + ESP32

Understaning Enviornmental Sensors. Intro to the ESP32 Feather. An arduino with Wifi, bluetooth and battery capabilities. ESP32 FEATHER ADAFRUIT DOCUMENTATION

• Day 1

  • IA Intro to Input: Lesson 4, Lesson 5
  • ESP32: Lesson 1: Intro to the ESP32

• Day 2

  • ESP32: Lesson 2: Blinking an LED
  • ESP32: Lesson 3: Fading an LED with PWM

• Day 3

  • ESP32: Lesson 4: Analog input
  • Arduino Libraries:
  • ESP32 + Sensor: DHT22

• Day 4

  • Arduino Libraries: Onwire, SDI Lesson
  • ESP32 + Sensor: DS18B20
  • ESP32 + Sensor: SHT30, SHT30 - Version 2

Week 3: Send and Visualize Data

• Day 1

  • ESP32: Connect to Wifi
  • ESP32: HTTP & MQTT Protocol
  • Connect to Grafana

• Day 2

  • Complete Sensor Prototype
  • Connect Grafana
  • Make Grafana Dashboard

• Day 3: Start building outdoor kits

  • Analyze Data Graphs
  • Start building outdoor kits
  • Add Battery + Solar
  • Print Board + Solder Compnents

• Day 4

  • Monitor Battery Code
  • Print Board + Solder Compnents
  • Complete Outdoor Kit

Week 4: Build Outdoor Sensor Kits, Build Critter Cam

• Day 1

  • Confirm Grafana Dashboard
  • Install Outside

• Day 2

  • Check Sensor Kit Data: Troubleshoot if needed
  • Decorate Critter Cam - Walk around get natural materials.

• Day 3

  • Decorate Critter Cam, Set up camera to Wifi
  • Show off Crittercam Decorations
  • Install Critter Cams Outside with Sensor Kit
  • Put Food in critter cam

• Day 4

  • Monitor Critter Cam: Troubleshoot if needed
  • Download best footage from Critter Cam
  • Upload to Youtube. Add Senor Data in description

Week 5: Monitor the Ecology with Technology

• Monitor + Download Critter Cam Footage: Troubleshoot if needed
• Upload to Youtube. Add Senor Data in description
• HTTP APIs
• Visualize data in P5.js
• Install Critter Cam, and Sensor kits at Black Rock Forest

Equipment Used

• SparkFun Inventors Kit
• Adafruit HUZZAH32 - ESP32 Feather (Documentation[https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-huzzah32-esp32-feather], Pin-Out Diagram [/images/wireless_Adafruit_HUZZAH32_ESP32_Feather_Pinout.png])