Lesson Plan

• Describe the roles of sensors, microprocessors, and actuators in automated systems.
• Explain how a control loop integrates sensor data, processing, and actuation.
• Analyse design considerations such as sensor selection, signal conditioning, and power consumption.
• Apply basic pseudocode to implement a simple sensor‑actuator control loop.

• Projector and screen
• Printed handout with block diagram and worksheet
• Arduino (or similar microcontroller) kit
• Assorted sensors (ultrasonic, temperature, etc.)
• Actuators (DC motor, solenoid valve, LEDs)
• Laptops with IDE installed

Begin with a quick demonstration of an automatic sliding door that opens as a person approaches. Ask students what they already know about input and output devices in computing. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to diagram a control loop and write simple pseudocode for an automated system.

1. Do‑now (5') – short quiz on basic I/O concepts.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – introduce sensors, microprocessors, actuators and the control‑loop diagram.
3. Demonstration (10') – show an Arduino‑controlled sliding‑door model in action.
4. Guided design activity (15') – pairs select components and sketch a smart‑irrigation system on the worksheet.
5. Coding practice (10') – students write pseudocode for a simple sensor‑actuator loop.
6. Check for understanding (5') – exit ticket: draw a control loop for a chosen real‑world application.

Recap how sensors, microprocessors, and actuators work together to form a feedback loop. Collect exit tickets and clarify any lingering questions. For homework, ask students to research a real‑world automated system and prepare a brief description of its components and how they interact.