Air Sensors for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Outreach Karoline Johnson 1, Bill Mitchell 2, Gayle Hagler 2, Katie Lubinsky 1, Ann Brown 3, Rebecca Dodder 2, Kelly Leovic 4, Rachel Clark 1, and Carol Lenox 2 1. Student services contractor to the US EPA Office of Research and Development 2. US EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory 3. US EPA, Office of Research and Development 4. US EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Exposure Research Laboratory Abstract Monitor used at 2012 World Maker Faire and classroom outreach events LED light up indicating relative pollutant concentration levels Air sensor displays for on-the-spot, interactive learning Applications include: Classroom demonstrations Interactive displays for booths at career fairs, conferences, and other such events Topics for learning: Programming Electronics Air Pollution Scientific Method Math Teamwork Ozone sensor and circuitry Learn about programming Microcontrollers can be used to control the sensor set ups e.g., Arduino Uno R3 Open source Widely used Easy to program $20 Low power consumption 10 bit resolution Programming a sensor can teach students programming logic that is widely applicable If, then, else Loops Figure 8. Arduino Uno microcontroller (Credit: Fiber optic interactive display One can blow on a port, which triggers a voltage change in a CO 2 sensor and changes the light display New low cost air pollution sensors and communication technology affords a unique opportunity for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outreach by scientists, who participate in events ranging from classroom presentations to engineering festivals. Interactive demonstration units can be developed using available low cost components, such as a sensor and communications housed in a clear container, with sensor signals controlling visual data indicators. EPA ORD recently designed one such system which was displayed at the 2012 World Maker Faire and has been used locally at museum and school demonstrations. The setup demonstrated how an LED array can be used to indicate relative air pollutant levels. Additional more visually pleasing and interactive designs are in development for future demonstration applications. Sensors can be designed to address specific problems/pollutants of interest to provide for the greatest possible learning experience. For example, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter sensors could be used to indicate pollution in areas with traffic exhaust, while carbon dioxide sensors could support user-interaction and allow a participant to trigger a visual indicator when they exhale on the sensor. Building these sensor systems facilitates hands-on learning and provides additional STEM opportunities for school groups and can also be used at many types of outreach events. These systems provide a novel and interactive platform to learn about scientific research, programming, electronics, and air pollution in a real world application. Example code for a carbon dioxide sensor in the Arduino coding environment; the program controls several different colored LEDs being turned on or off. Sensor systems to inspire and educate about STEM topics Incorporates air quality science, engineering, and computer science in a hand-held sized package Low cost a single sensor with an Arduino microcontroller could be fabricated at prices down to $30 LED indicators could be added for as little as $10 free programming tool Hands on Real world application Classroom learning – do-it-yourself air monitoring Learn about air pollution and science Hands on learning about air pollution Monitors may be used to explore the following questions: Where are pollutant levels higher? Why are certain pollutant concentrations higher in certain areas? How could students lower their exposure based on what they learned from the monitor? What times of day is pollution concentrations the highest? EPA outreach activities with sensors – Developing classroom teaching modules Building low cost sensor assembly kits Building interactive displays Leveraging sensor system fabrication knowledge from application in research studies to outreach (and vice versa!) Example lesson plans (middle to high school level): Identify different components and functions (resistors, LEDs, power, ground, etc) Discover how breadboards work Assemble circuits based on simple circuit diagrams Investigate how sensors “sense” air pollution Practice computer programming Student is learning to strip wires at an EPA outreach event Students are making graphs during an outreach event Students during outreach event Arduino microcontroller Ideal characteristics of system: Portable Interactive Battery-powered Engages multiple senses Crowd-friendly Durable