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Electronics in Nature

This project entitled "Electronics in Nature: Digital Tools to explore our urban natural ecosystem" is a collaboration between Paula Harvey, forest school teacher at Urban Forest and Aude Vuilliomenet, PhD Student in the Connected Environments Lab at The Bartlett CASA in UCL. This project aims to explore environmental sensing technologies and how digital tools can be used to augment the understanding of the ecosystem of an urban park. It focuses primarily on primary and secondary school aged children and seeks to encourage the interest of children for the natural environment as well as to discuss the use of electronics in an outdoor environment.

This project received support and funding from the London National Park City as part of the Ranger program.

Circuits Overview

#1 - LEDs & Moisture Sensor

The first circuit introduces the measurement of moisture content. The circuit uses two nails to measure the moisture of various media, three LEDs to visualise the moisture of the soil (pink for "Dry", green for "Average Moist", and blue for "Very Wet"), and a LCD Screen to read the moisture value in percentage. Once built, the circuit is tested in the mud mixtures created by the children, giving the opportunity to discuss how various types of materials (eg. sand, gravel, grass, saw dust, clay, compost) absorb and retain water.

#2 - Servo Motor & Temperature & Humidity Sensor

The second circuit introduces the measurement of temperature and humidity. The circuit uses a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor and a small servo motor. The speed of rotation of the servo motor adjusts according to the values recorded. The higher the temperature, the fastest rotates the motor, and the lower the temperature, the lowest rotates the motor. Before testing out the circuit between bright sun and shade, a flower or wind turbine like structure is built to add on top of the servo motor. This object will help to visualise the rotational speed.

#3 - Speaker & Light Intensity Photoresistor

The third circuit explores light intensity and our relationship with light and sound. The circuit is built using a photoresistor and a small speaker. Depending on the reading of the sensor (in shade, in full sun), a different melody is being played.

Materials

Here is the list of components, you will need to build this circuit. Some are the same that we used in circuit #1, some are new. If you need to purcahse any of the components, have a look at The PiHut, eBay, CPC or Amazon, by shopping around you will find reliable one for a fair price.

Arduino Uno Rev3 SMD
Solderless Breadboard
RGB LCD1602 Display
Various Colours LEDs
3x 220 Ohm Resistors
1x 10K Ohm Resistor
Some breadbord wires (male-male)
Soldering Iron

Sensors & Actuators

Battery & Power

Additional materials

6mm Plywood

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