Abstract:

Arduino technology is highlighted by educators for its potential to be used as a learning tool in K-12 education. Its ease of use and the low cost of its sensors and of other peripherals make it very useful for the development of a wide variety of artifacts.

This study presents the development of a simple and easily modifiable Arduino platform in a school Makerspace. The platform can be used to develop a variety of portable school lab instruments by connecting an appropriate sensor (e.g., temperature sensor, pHmeter, conductivity sensor). It can also be used to develop smart devices by sending and receiving data and commands from students’ smartphones, by exploiting the thinger.io online platform.

Students used the platform in order to develop portable laboratory instruments, that were afterwards exploited in the formal Chemistry education for performing experiments through demonstration and outdoor experiments. It was also exploited to develop a ‘smart radiator’ in order to facilitate the management of their school.

Therefore, this Arduino platform can be used as a learning tool in Science Education and also in school management. The reusable character of the Arduino platform makes the cost of the necessary infrastructure even lower, since only small parts have to be replaced or added in order to develop a new instrument or smart device. The schematic of the Arduino platform and the relevant Arduino IDE codes are provided.

Keywords:

Arduino, Laboratory Instruments, Smart devices, Makerspace.