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Making Sense of Sensors

The Body’s Many Inputs

@SunsetSparkNYC

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What are some common human senses?

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What can we sense with smell?

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What can we sense with touch?

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What can we sense with taste?

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What can we sense with sight?

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What can we sense with hearing?

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Did you know there are other human senses?

  • Balance
  • Temperature
  • Body Parts
  • Pain
  • Hunger

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How do animals use senses?

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How does it smell?

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Snakes sense odors with their tongue.

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How does it smell?

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Ants sense odors with their antennae.

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How does it taste?

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Butterflies can taste with their feet.

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An octopus can sense light with their skin.

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The platypus can sense electric fields with its bill.

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Bees can sense magnetic fields.

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Computer Sensors

  • Accelerometer: Detecting acceleration
  • Magnetometer: Detects direction like a compass
  • Gyroscope: Detects orientation
  • GPS: Detects position on Earth

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Computer Sensors

  • Light Sensor: Detects brightness.
  • Moisture Sensor: Detects if phone was wet.
  • Barometer: Senses air pressure.
  • Biometric Sensor: Detects thumbprint.
  • Depth Camera: Detects facial map.

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Accelerometer

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Air Quality Sensor

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Ultrasonic Range Sensor

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Flex Sensor

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Activity: Not-A-Box Sensor

Design a sensor for your Not-A-Box. While beginning your design, think about what data from the physical world the input sensor will capture.

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Consider tying the activity into animal adaptations by using traits from nature when creating your sensor.

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After creating a plan, create a physical version of the sensing device using craft materials.

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Robot Gloves Sense Typing

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Motion Sensor Detects Movement

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Magic Ears Senses Music

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Activity: Not-A-Box Sensor

Part 1: Create a plan

  • Draw a blueprint or schematic about your sensing device.
  • What will it sense? What data might it capture? What will it look like?
  • Write or add to your drawings to help describe it.
  • Consider using traits from nature in your design.

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Activity: Not-A-Box Sensor

Part 2: Craft it

  • Use craft materials to create a physical version based on your schematic for their not a box.