Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
You can generally learn by experience, which comes from ordering the wrong ones and realising you made a mistake. ;-) I've added a few more words to some of those pages. The devices needed are usually commonly available from many sources, so I would not bother to list them, since the information would become rapidly dated and country-specific. On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 05:37:45PM -0700, Caryl Bigenho wrote: > Hi? > > > OK, here I am again with another "dumb" question? well, maybe not so dumb > after > all as I'll bet there are others out there who could also use this > information. > On the OLPC wiki there are several very nicely illustrated instructions about > how to make sensors to use with the XO? temperature, humidity, light, etc. > But, they don't include a materials list or reference to sources where the > parts can be purchased. > > > http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Making_XO_sensors > > > Radio Shack? Edmond Scientific? Parallax.com? or where? Curious people, myself > included want to know. Can someone help here? > > > Thanks! > > Caryl (GrannieB) > > > P.S. Here's an example of the type of info needed. This site sells a number of > light sensors but they call them things like Photoresistor, Photo Transistor, > Light to Frequency Converter. These are all little ones that appear similar to > the one in the instructions on the wiki. How do you tell which kind you need? > > > http://www.parallax.com/Store/Sensors/ColorLight/tabid/175/List/0/CategoryID/50 > /Level/a/SortField/0/Default.aspx > > ___ > support-gang mailing list > support-g...@lists.laptop.org > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang -- James Cameron http://quozl.linux.org.au/ ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
the problem with the "let them learn by making mistakes" is that they may not know *WHAT* mistake they made, and how to fix it. Random chance events need eons, billions of years, to get to an advanced civilization. Good design needs only a few millenia! The standard response to no-idea-what-went-wrong is to give up on this and take on another different pursuit - If it were not that way, we'd have more kid programmers than the handful we do, after about 2 million attempts times several years. Another example: by the merest chance, I had switched the MSP430 chips in the Launchpad experimentation board, before I tested it with the XO. This was serendipitous: last year, the Fedora version did not allow the most updated MSP430 software, so it would not have worked with the newer chip, the one that comes preinstalled in the Launchpad. Because I had switched them, I had the older chip on, that fateful day, and /things worked!!/ Otherwise, I'd have given up on the MSP430 and moved on. Why is that important? the MSP430 Launchpad is $4.30 US dollars, shipping included to anywhere in the world. It is a full fledged microcontroller experimentation board, it is shipped ready to use (includes a USB cable and an extra MCU). It works out of the box with an XO - you need to install two small software packages in the XO, but that's not so hard (and it is easier now that they fixed the Fedora repository link). With the new version we have, /all/ MSP430G work now. For those interested in building a robot "brain" (and many other such mechatronic projects), we have now an affordable solution, at a fraction of the cost of Arduino & Co. basic install instructions (I wrote this one - need to update it!): http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/OLPC_XO-1 Buy the MSP430 Launchpad https://estore.ti.com/Product3.aspx?ProductId=2031 experimentation code examples http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP430_LaunchPad_%28MSP-EXP430G2%29 launchpad msp430 projects http://www.43oh.com/ http://e2e.ti.com/group/microcontrollerprojects/m/msp430microcontrollerprojects/default.aspx?GalleryPostSort=Views&PageIndex=1 On 09/20/2012 08:18 PM, James Cameron wrote: You can generally learn by experience, which comes from ordering the wrong ones and realising you made a mistake. ;-) I've added a few more words to some of those pages. The devices needed are usually commonly available from many sources, so I would not bother to list them, since the information would become rapidly dated and country-specific. On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 05:37:45PM -0700, Caryl Bigenho wrote: Hi? OK, here I am again with another "dumb" question? well, maybe not so dumb after all as I'll bet there are others out there who could also use this information. On the OLPC wiki there are several very nicely illustrated instructions about how to make sensors to use with the XO? temperature, humidity, light, etc. But, they don't include a materials list or reference to sources where the parts can be purchased. http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Making_XO_sensors Radio Shack? Edmond Scientific? Parallax.com? or where? Curious people, myself included want to know. Can someone help here? Thanks! Caryl (GrannieB) P.S. Here's an example of the type of info needed. This site sells a number of light sensors but they call them things like Photoresistor, Photo Transistor, Light to Frequency Converter. These are all little ones that appear similar to the one in the instructions on the wiki. How do you tell which kind you need? http://www.parallax.com/Store/Sensors/ColorLight/tabid/175/List/0/CategoryID/50 /Level/a/SortField/0/Default.aspx ___ support-gang mailing list support-g...@lists.laptop.org http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
--- On Thu, 9/20/12, Caryl Bigenho wrote: From: Caryl Bigenho Subject: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? To: "support-g...@laptop.org" , "IAEP SugarLabs" , "OLPC SoCal" Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 8:37 PM Hi… OK, here I am again with another "dumb" question… well, maybe not so dumb after all as I'll bet there are others out there who could also use this information. On the OLPC wiki there are several very nicely illustrated instructions about how to make sensors to use with the XO… temperature, humidity, light, etc. But, they don't include a materials list or reference to sources where the parts can be purchased. http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Making_XO_sensors Radio Shack? Edmond Scientific? Parallax.com? or where? Curious people, myself included want to know. Can someone help here? Thanks! Caryl (GrannieB) P.S. Here's an example of the type of info needed. This site sells a number of light sensors but they call them things like Photoresistor, Photo Transistor, Light to Frequency Converter. These are all little ones that appear similar to the one in the instructions on the wiki. How do you tell which kind you need? I'm not someone schooled in Electronics, just an autodidact. If you are talking about a 'light sensor', this is usually a device that when exposed to visible white light will change its electrical resistance. If you are familiar with the concept of volts, current, and resistance, the basic components of Ohms Law, this device would be part of a circuit and act as a gauge for the amount of lightness or darkness in a room. So the device would increase its resistance which is measured in Ohms when more light hits the active surface. if you buy this[0] at Radio Shack, it will contain various types of these cells. The main difference is their resistance range. Some might vary the resistance from 0 to 1,000 Ohms, some might vary from 0 to 10,000 Ohms. Or other response ranges. The names can vary. I first knew them as a Cadmium Sulfate Cell, they can also Light Dependent resistors. Or Photoresisitors. As for the light to frequency converter, that is a different device.For the sake of experimentation and convience, the radioshack package might be an OK $4 investment. If you know someone who likes electronics, they might have these parts to space. Even better if you can visit a 'hackerspace' where they can help with a few parts and explanation. I think the main use is to connect the light sensor directly to the audio-in port of the XO, which means a few wires, an audio jack and the light sensor. The 'Measure' Activity should provide a basic idea of how the sensor reacts to varying amounts of light. [0] https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062590___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
--- On Fri, 9/21/12, Kevin Mark wrote: From: Kevin Mark Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? To: "support-g...@laptop.org" , "IAEP SugarLabs" , "OLPC SoCal" , "Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond to help AT laptop.org" Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 2:55 AM --- On Thu, 9/20/12, Caryl Bigenho wrote: From: Caryl Bigenho Subject: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? To: "support-g...@laptop.org" , "IAEP SugarLabs" , "OLPC SoCal" Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012, 8:37 PM Hi… OK, here I am again with another "dumb" question… well, maybe not so dumb after all as I'll bet there are others out there who could also use this information. On the OLPC wiki there are several very nicely illustrated instructions about how to make sensors to use with the XO… temperature, humidity, light, etc. But, they don't include a materials list or reference to sources where the parts can be purchased. http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Making_XO_sensors Radio Shack? Edmond Scientific? Parallax.com? or where? Curious people, myself included want to know. Can someone help here? Thanks! Caryl (GrannieB) P.S. Here's an example of the type of info needed. This site sells a number of light sensors but they call them things like Photoresistor, Photo Transistor, Light to Frequency Converter. These are all little ones that appear similar to the one in the instructions on the wiki. How do you tell which kind you need? I'm not someone schooled in Electronics, just an autodidact. If you are talking about a 'light sensor', this is usually a device that when exposed to visible white light will change its electrical resistance. If you are familiar with the concept of volts, current, and resistance, the basic components of Ohms Law, this device would be part of a circuit and act as a gauge for the amount of lightness or darkness in a room. So the device would increase its resistance which is measured in Ohms when more light hits the active surface. if you buy this[0] at Radio Shack, it will contain various types of these cells. The main difference is their resistance range. Some might vary the resistance from 0 to 1,000 Ohms, some might vary from 0 to 10,000 Ohms. Or other response ranges. The names can vary. I first knew them as a Cadmium Sulfate Cell, they can also Light Dependent resistors. Or Photoresisitors. As for the light to frequency converter, that is a different device.For the sake of experimentation and convience, the radioshack package might be an OK $4 investment. If you know someone who likes electronics, they might have these parts to space. Even better if you can visit a 'hackerspace' where they can help with a few parts and explanation. I think the main use is to connect the light sensor directly to the audio-in port of the XO, which means a few wires, an audio jack and the light sensor. The 'Measure' Activity should provide a basic idea of how the sensor reacts to varying amounts of light. [0] https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062590 This is a minor update because I was reading a post[1] on sparkfun. This kit shows a kit with single examples of various types of sensors. This kit is too expensive but you can buy the individual parts separately at their site or elsewhere. [1] https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11283-k___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 03:38:12PM -0700, Kevin Mark wrote: > This is a minor update because I was reading a post[1] on sparkfun. This kit > shows a kit with single examples of various types of sensors. This kit is too > expensive but you can buy the individual parts separately at their site or > elsewhere. > [1] https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11283 Thanks. Interesting. Not every sensor works with an OLPC XO though, and the teaching of the sensors themselves is more difficult with the highly integrated sensors, since they don't provide a simple voltage as output. Looking at SparkFun's DEV-11283 Sensor kit, I have the following comments: > HMC5883L - Triple-Axis Magnetometer Breakout Board - An accurate, > simple-to-use digital magnetometer with an I2C interface. Can be connected to the OLPC XO USB socket via a microcontroller. > ADXL335 - Triple-Axis Accelerometer Breakout Board - Senses > acceleration along all three axes, with a range of up to ??3g. Fully > analog interface. Can be connected to the OLPC XO USB socket via a microcontroller. > ITG-3200 - Triple-Axis Gyro Breakout Board - Senses angular velocity > along three axes of rotation. Fully digital interface with a range > of up to ??2000??/s. Can be connected to the OLPC XO USB socket via a microcontroller. > Large Piezo Vibration Sensor - With Mass - A flexible film able to > sense for vibration, touch, shock, etc. When the film moves back and > forth an AC wave is created, with a voltage of up to ??90. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly, with the input configured for AC. May require a series resistor, given the maximum voltage of 90V. > Reed Switch - Senses magnetic fields, makes for a great non-contact > switch. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly, with the input configured for DC with bias. > 0.25" Magnet Square - Plays nicely with the reed switch. Embed the > magnet into stuffed animals or inside a box to create a hidden > actuator to the reed switch. Is not connected. Pity the stuffed animal. > 0.5" Force Sensitive Resistor - A force sensing resistor with a 0.5" > diameter sensing area. Great for sensing pressure (i.e. if it's > being squeezed). Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly, with the input configured for DC with bias. > PIR Motion Sensor - Easy-to-use motion detector with an analog > interface. Power it with 5-12VDC, and you'll be alerted of any > movement. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input and the USB socket for power. > Ultrasonic Rangefinder - Maxbotix LV-EZ1 - Distance sensor with both > analog and RS-232 interfaces, providing sonar range information from > 6 to 254 inches. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input, and the USB socket for power. May require a voltage divider, given the analog output of 10mV per inch, 2.55V maximum over 255 inches. > HIH-4030 Humidity Sensor - A high precision humidity sensor with an > analog output. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input and the USB socket for power. May require a voltage divider. > IR Receiver Breakout Board - An analog interfaced IR receiver, > sensitive to a wide range of IR waves. Great for 'listening' to TV > remotes. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input and the USB socket for power. May require a voltage divider. > Mini Photocell - The photocell will vary its resistance based on how > much light it's exposed to. Will vary from 1k?? in the light to 10k?? > in the dark. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly. > Optical Detector/Phototransistor - An all-in-one infrared emitter > and detector. Ideal for sensing black-to-white transitions or can be > used to detect nearby objects. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input and the USB socket for power, in a similar fashion to the LM35D on the Wiki. > BMP085 Barometric Pressure Sensor - Low power, high precision > barometric pressure sensor with I2C output. Can be connected to the OLPC XO USB socket via a microcontroller. > Flex Sensor - As the sensor is flexed, the resistance across the > sensor increases. Useful for sensing motion or positioning Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly. > SoftPot - These are very thin variable potentiometers. By pressing > on various positions along the strip, you vary the resistance. Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input directly. When I say above that a microcontroller is needed, this is because the output of the sensor is not directly compatible with the OLPC XO, and will require conversion. The USB socket on the OLPC XO has the most utility for this. Other things to take into account are: - the software for the microcontroller (Turtle Art plugins exist for at least Arduino and ExpEyes), - the cost of the microcontroller, - the increased complexity of setup; write the script, connect the microcontroller to the XO, connect the device to the microcontroller. -- James Cameron
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
> > PIR Motion Sensor - Easy-to-use motion detector with an analog > > interface. Power it with 5-12VDC, and you'll be alerted of any > > movement. > > Can be connected to the OLPC XO microphone input and the USB socket > for power. See http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Activities/TurtleArt/Using_Turtle_Art_Sensors#Pyroelectric_alarm_with_photo Tony ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
--- On Fri, 9/21/12, James Cameron wrote: > From: James Cameron > Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > To: "Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond to "help AT > laptop.org"" > Cc: "IAEP SugarLabs" , "OLPC SoCal" > , "support-g...@laptop.org" > Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 7:39 PM > On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 03:38:12PM > -0700, Kevin Mark wrote: > > This is a minor update because I was reading a post[1] > on sparkfun. This kit > > shows a kit with single examples of various types > of sensors. This kit is too > > expensive but you can buy the individual parts > separately at their site or > > elsewhere. > > [1] https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11283 > > Thanks. Interesting. > > Not every sensor works with an OLPC XO though, and the > teaching of the > sensors themselves is more difficult with the highly > integrated > sensors, since they don't provide a simple voltage as > output. What your explanation makes clear is why people typically pay 3rd parties to develop educational material with pre-tested sample circuits and included parts. The average teacher will not have the expertise to just find a sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use software like measure and explain what the output means. I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic concepts for Ohms law and the basic understanding of how the sensor fits-into this Electronics equation, then they could present a lesson with a packaged electronics kit with audio-plug w/sensor bits. Maybe the XOexplosion/ilovemyxo or PlanCeibal/Butiabot people or whoever could mass-buy such parts and constructs these kits and create the teaching material(wiki?). LDRs, IR LED, flex sensor and other cheap parts if ordered in bulk I would imagine could be bought for a relatively cheaper cost compared to Radioshack-type stores. And if the purchase is made by a geographically closer group, that would limit the shipping cost. Just my reaction to your great explanation of how those bits could be used. -K ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
Kevin wrote > What your explanation makes clear is why people typically pay 3rd parties to > develop educational material with pre-tested sample circuits and included > parts. The average teacher will not have the expertise to just find a sensor, > make a circuit, connect it, use software like measure and explain what the > output means. > > I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic concepts for Ohms law and > the basic understanding of how the sensor fits-into this Electronics > equation, then they could present a lesson with a packaged electronics kit > with audio-plug w/sensor bits. Kevin You make a very good point, a kit of sensors and associated lesson plans would be great. One like the Arduino Starter Kit would be good, it has a patch board, leads and sensors suitable for the XO mic socket, it has a few output devices we don't need http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex The concern I have is cost. The XO is $188 and most of the target market is very price sensitive. My guess is that it would accept a cost of $10 for a Starter Kit, just my guess. The Arduino Starter Kit would be at least $23.50 if you removed the Arduino and USB cable and added a 3.5mm phono plug with flying leads, probably more, my guess $30 -$35 considering that the per component price goes up for smaller kits. Here is how I calculate $23.50 http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex $59.95 http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/USB-Cable-A-to-B-6-Foot less $3.95 http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/arduino-uno-r3less $32.50 total starterkit less arduinouno and usb cable $23.50 Maybe the next step is to talk to a kit manufacturer like Sparkfun Tony ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
--- On Fri, 9/21/12, fors...@ozonline.com.au wrote: > From: fors...@ozonline.com.au > Subject: Re: Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > To: "Kevin Mark" > Cc: iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org > Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 11:22 PM > Kevin wrote > > > What your explanation makes clear is why people > typically pay 3rd parties to develop educational material > with pre-tested sample circuits and included parts. The > average teacher will not have the expertise to just find a > sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use software like > measure and explain what the output means. > > > > I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic > concepts for Ohms law and the basic understanding of how the > sensor fits-into this Electronics equation, then they could > present a lesson with a packaged electronics kit with > audio-plug w/sensor bits. > > Kevin > You make a very good point, a kit of sensors and associated > lesson plans would be great. One like the Arduino Starter > Kit would be good, it has a patch board, leads and sensors > suitable for the XO mic socket, it has a few output devices > we don't need > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex > > The concern I have is cost. The XO is $188 and most of the > target market is very price sensitive. My guess is that it > would accept a cost of $10 for a Starter Kit, just my > guess. > > The Arduino Starter Kit would be at least $23.50 if you > removed the Arduino and USB cable and added a 3.5mm phono > plug with flying leads, probably more, my guess $30 -$35 > considering that the per component price goes up for smaller > kits. > > Here is how I calculate $23.50 > > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex > $59.95 > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/USB-Cable-A-to-B-6-Foot > less $3.95 > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/arduino-uno-r3 > less $32.50 > total starterkit less arduinouno and usb cable > > $23.50 > > Maybe the next step is to talk to a kit manufacturer like > Sparkfun Funny you should mention them, when I was at World Maker Faire 2012, they were very interested in the XO that I and Nick where displaying. They provide a bag of goodies that he used at our table and it was useful for his work when he went to Haiti with Waveplace. I think they might be someone to ask about either providing a kits or .. helping certain small groups as part of 'good will', 'tech outreach' with a 'shout-out' to them or such. They run a 'free day' which I have been party to, and they are generous with their efforts at creating a community of Makers. We might be able to work with them on kits or be a recipient of their outreach. -Kev ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
Sorry for the intromision.. You can make your own "USB4butia" board and use it to read resistances like inthe audio jack of the XO.Is very inexpensive board. You can make it with a "iron for clothes": http://www.fing.edu.uy/inco/proyectos/butia/mediawiki/index.php/USB4buti%C3%A0 The childrens of an high-school in Uruguay, with the help of a teacher, makes herown board with recycled components. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzz_fLM2Rpk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO_DGqQURHQ The most expensive component is the PIC18F45550.. the rest: a clock of 20mhz,some leds, some resistances.. This is a real "free and open" hardware: we think in both words are similiar,but we found a different significance: -an arduino board is OPEN design, you can modify, improve, etc but no is FREE,you cannot make it with your hands (arduino have multi-layers that makes imposiblemake at home)-the USB4butia is OPEN and FREE: you can modify, improve and can be made witha home materials, old printers, old appliances, etc. I don't know the prices, someone can calculate it with USA prices? http://www.fing.edu.uy/inco/proyectos/butia/mediawiki/index.php/Componentes Regards! Alan > Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:29:55 -0700 > From: kevin.m...@verizon.net > To: fors...@ozonline.com.au > CC: iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org > Subject: Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > > > > --- On Fri, 9/21/12, fors...@ozonline.com.au wrote: > > > From: fors...@ozonline.com.au > > Subject: Re: Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > > To: "Kevin Mark" > > Cc: iaep@lists.sugarlabs.org > > Date: Friday, September 21, 2012, 11:22 PM > > Kevin wrote > > > > > What your explanation makes clear is why people > > typically pay 3rd parties to develop educational material > > with pre-tested sample circuits and included parts. The > > average teacher will not have the expertise to just find a > > sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use software like > > measure and explain what the output means. > > > > > > I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic > > concepts for Ohms law and the basic understanding of how the > > sensor fits-into this Electronics equation, then they could > > present a lesson with a packaged electronics kit with > > audio-plug w/sensor bits. > > > > Kevin > > You make a very good point, a kit of sensors and associated > > lesson plans would be great. One like the Arduino Starter > > Kit would be good, it has a patch board, leads and sensors > > suitable for the XO mic socket, it has a few output devices > > we don't need > > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex > > > > The concern I have is cost. The XO is $188 and most of the > > target market is very price sensitive. My guess is that it > > would accept a cost of $10 for a Starter Kit, just my > > guess. > > > > The Arduino Starter Kit would be at least $23.50 if you > > removed the Arduino and USB cable and added a 3.5mm phono > > plug with flying leads, probably more, my guess $30 -$35 > > considering that the per component price goes up for smaller > > kits. > > > > Here is how I calculate $23.50 > > > > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/starter-kit-for-arduino-flex > > $59.95 > > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/USB-Cable-A-to-B-6-Foot > > less $3.95 > > http://littlebirdelectronics.com/products/arduino-uno-r3 > > less $32.50 > > total starterkit less arduinouno and usb cable > > > >$23.50 > > > > Maybe the next step is to talk to a kit manufacturer like > > Sparkfun > > Funny you should mention them, when I was at World Maker Faire 2012, they > were very interested in the XO that I and Nick where displaying. They provide > a bag of goodies that he used at our table and it was useful for his work > when he went to Haiti with Waveplace. I think they might be someone to ask > about either providing a kits or .. helping certain small groups as part > of 'good will', 'tech outreach' with a 'shout-out' to them or such. They run > a 'free day' which I have been party to, and they are generous with their > efforts at creating a community of Makers. We might be able to work with them > on kits or be a recipient of their outreach. > > -Kev > ___ > IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) > IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org > http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
Hey Guys... Don't loose sight of the fact that learning electronics is not necessarily the main goal here. I think that, most of the time, the sensors will be used for measuring things in science experiments... physics, chemistry, even biology and health science. I spent this evening with the young science teacher who will be using the XOs at the CP project here in Montana. He is very excited about the possibility of using them in his middle school science classes. I showed him some of the things Trinidad Guzman has on YouTube and we came up with a lot of ideas for possible lessons. He thought he might actually do the building of the sensors himself. The electronics aspect isn't the main lesson here, the science experiments they are used in will be. You guys have provided lots of great links and resources which I am sharing with him. Money is an issue. Montana schools are not well funded (what public school is these days?). He will do what he can with the funds he can scrape up. Maybe making inexpensive kits of parts and instructions for sensors along with lesson ideas would be a good project for SF? Caryl P.S. He is really into using open source... actually so is his wife, who just had all of her schedule changed to music (K-8). > Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 14:23:14 +1000 > From: qu...@laptop.org > To: support-g...@lists.laptop.org > Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > > On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 07:35:13PM -0700, Kevin Mark wrote: > > What your explanation makes clear is why people typically pay 3rd > > parties to develop educational material with pre-tested sample > > circuits and included parts. The average teacher will not have the > > expertise to just find a sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use > > software like measure and explain what the output means. > > I don't think teachers are as unskilled as you seem to suggest. > Teachers can only teach what they know, and knowing this level of > electronics is about as complex as knowing macrame. > > A syllabus might not contain electronics, and so a teacher's support > systems may be naive to electronics. > > That's where lesson plans and materials can be useful, for a teacher > who wants to go the extra mile beyond their syllabus. > > > I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic concepts for Ohms > > law and the basic understanding of how the sensor fits-into this > > Electronics equation, then they could present a lesson with a > > packaged electronics kit with audio-plug w/sensor bits. Maybe the > > XOexplosion/ilovemyxo or PlanCeibal/Butiabot people or whoever could > > mass-buy such parts and constructs these kits and create the > > teaching material(wiki?). > > I expect these already exist somewhere. The Using_Turtle_Art_Sensors > page referenced earlier in the thread is a good example that focuses > on Turtle Art, with some OLPC XO guidance as well. > > Perhaps a more appropriate subject area is Physics rather than > Electronics. > > > > > LDRs, IR LED, flex sensor and other cheap parts if ordered in bulk I > > would imagine could be bought for a relatively cheaper cost compared > > to Radioshack-type stores. And if the purchase is made by a > > geographically closer group, that would limit the shipping cost. > > Agreed. For any education system where electronics is in syllabus, > there are ample opportunities for bulk purchasing. > > > Just my reaction to your great explanation of how those bits could > > be used. > > Thanks. > > -- > James Cameron > http://quozl.linux.org.au/ > ___ > support-gang mailing list > support-g...@lists.laptop.org > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang ___ IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!) IAEP@lists.sugarlabs.org http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/iaep
Re: [IAEP] [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy?
--- On Sat, 9/22/12, Caryl Bigenho wrote: From: Caryl Bigenho Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? To: "Community Support Volunteers -- who help respond t" , "IAEP SugarLabs" Date: Saturday, September 22, 2012, 1:26 AM Hey Guys... Don't loose sight of the fact that learning electronics is not necessarily the main goal here. I think that, most of the time, the sensors will be used for measuring things in science experiments... physics, chemistry, even biology and health science. Oh, I think I and others might have given the wrong impression. I was just trying to figure out what parts were useful and how they'd be built FOR the teacher. With the goal to not expect the teacher or the students to build any of the sensors. If the students are a bit older, then making an sensor might be cool. But our 'geeking out' about the technical bits might have seems like we were moving in a different direction. So, yeah, the main thing is to have sensors and for the teacher to have some material that they are using it with. Most of the more basic sensors are composed of:1 audio connector, 1 bit of audio wire, 1 resistor and one 'sensor. So the cost would not be very high. But getting bulk parts vs getting 2 made will affect the price a lot (economies of scale). LEDs can cost 1 $ if you buy them 1 at a time but 10 cents if you buy them in 100 packs. I spent this evening with the young science teacher who will be using the XOs at the CP project here in Montana. He is very excited about the possibility of using them in his middle school science classes. I showed him some of the things Trinidad Guzman has on YouTube and we came up with a lot of ideas for possible lessons. He thought he might actually do the building of the sensors himself. The electronics aspect isn't the main lesson here, the science experiments they are used in will be. You guys have provided lots of great links and resources which I am sharing with him. Money is an issue. Montana schools are not well funded (what public school is these days?). He will do what he can with the funds he can scrape up. Maybe making inexpensive kits of parts and instructions for sensors along with lesson ideas would be a good project for SF? Caryl P.S. He is really into using open source... actually so is his wife, who just had all of her schedule changed to music (K-8). > Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 14:23:14 +1000 > From: qu...@laptop.org > To: support-g...@lists.laptop.org > Subject: Re: [support-gang] What Sensors and Where To Buy? > > On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 07:35:13PM -0700, Kevin Mark wrote: > > What your explanation makes clear is why people typically pay 3rd > > parties to develop educational material with pre-tested sample > > circuits and included parts. The average teacher will not have the > > expertise to just find a sensor, make a circuit, connect it, use > > software like measure and explain what the output means. > > I don't think teachers are as unskilled as you seem to suggest. > Teachers can only teach what they know, and knowing this level of > electronics is about as complex as knowing macrame. > > A syllabus might not contain electronics, and so a teacher's support > systems may be naive to electronics. > > That's where lesson plans and materials can be useful, for a teacher > who wants to go the extra mile beyond their syllabus. > > > I assume if a packet was constructed for the basic concepts for Ohms > > law and the basic understanding of how the sensor fits-into this > > Electronics equation, then they could present a lesson with a > > packaged electronics kit with audio-plug w/sensor bits. Maybe the > > XOexplosion/ilovemyxo or PlanCeibal/Butiabot people or whoever could > > mass-buy such parts and constructs these kits and create the > > teaching material(wiki?). > > I expect these already exist somewhere. The Using_Turtle_Art_Sensors > page referenced earlier in the thread is a good example that focuses > on Turtle Art, with some OLPC XO guidance as well. > > Perhaps a more appropriate subject area is Physics rather than > Electronics. > > > > > LDRs, IR LED, flex sensor and other cheap parts if ordered in bulk I > > would imagine could be bought for a relatively cheaper cost compared > > to Radioshack-type stores. And if the purchase is made by a > > geographically closer group, that would limit the shipping cost. > > Agreed. For any education system where electronics is in syllabus, > there are ample opportunities for bulk purchasing. > > > Just my reaction to your great explanation of how those bits could > > be used. > > Thanks. > > -- > James Cameron > http://quozl.linux.org.au/ > ___ > support-gang mailing list > support-g...@lists.laptop.org > http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/support-gang -Inline Attachment Follows- ___ support-ga
