Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Computer Science
Lesson Topic: Understand sensors, data they capture and their appropriate use
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how sensors transduce physical quantities into electrical signals and differentiate analog vs digital outputs.
  • Explain key sensor characteristics (range, resolution, accuracy, precision, sampling rate) and their impact on system design.
  • Apply a decision checklist to select an appropriate sensor for a given application.
  • Interpret sensor data formats and map them to suitable output devices.
  • Design a simple sensor‑to‑actuator system (e.g., temperature‑controlled fan) using appropriate conversion and control logic.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slide deck summarising sensor concepts
  • Handout with sensor comparison table
  • Arduino or microcontroller kit with breadboard, wires, thermistor, LCD, LEDs
  • Computers with Arduino IDE installed
  • Sample data sheets for various sensors
  • Exit‑ticket cards
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick demonstration: show a thermistor heating up and the voltage change on an oscilloscope. Ask students what physical quantity is being measured and how the computer could use that information. Explain that today they will learn how sensors capture data, key characteristics to consider, and how to choose the right sensor for a specific task. Success will be shown by correctly completing the sensor‑selection checklist and designing a simple temperature‑controlled fan.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students match sensor names to physical quantities on a worksheet.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review transduction, analog vs digital, resolution, sampling (Nyquist) using slides.
  3. Interactive activity (12'): In small groups, use the decision checklist to evaluate a scenario (e.g., robot obstacle detection) and select a sensor; groups present reasoning.
  4. Hands‑on demo (15'): Build and program a temperature‑controlled fan using a thermistor, ADC, and LCD; teacher models on Arduino.
  5. Guided practice (10'): Students modify the code to change the temperature threshold and observe output on the LCD and an LED indicator.
  6. Formative check (5'): Quick Kahoot quiz on sensor characteristics and output device formats.
  7. Exit ticket (3'): Write one key factor to consider when choosing a sensor and an example application.
Conclusion:
Summarise that sensors convert physical phenomena into electrical signals and that understanding their data properties guides system design. Highlight how the checklist helped them pick suitable sensors and how the fan project linked sensor input to output display. For the exit ticket, each student notes the most important selection criterion for their chosen sensor. Homework: research a sensor not covered today and prepare a brief report on its specifications and potential use.