Science Activities EV3

Data Logging EV3

What is a data logging?
Data logging is a process of using EV3 and the computer to collect usually scientific experiments. It is a technologic method of helping students gain an initial understanding of data logging. After collecting data, the students analyze the data and save the results of collecting and analysis. In class, we did some tasks challenges such as the LEGO temperature sensor, the color sensor, and the ultrasonic sensor.

Description of using the LEGO temperature sensor:

For this project, the students will learn how to record values for temperature sensor experiment. In this science experiments, we had two cups of water, one with cold water and the other one with hot water. Also, we prepare the temperature sensor and connect it to one of the ports for example port one. The EV3 brick needs to be connected to the computer after that we go into the software and go to file and then new project to choose experiment which uses for data logging. Since the robot was connected, it started to collect the data logging straight away. At the bottom left of the coding screen, there is the experiment unit set up where we can adjust the duration and samples of seconds. On the screen, there are the X-axis shows which the time and the Y-axis which shows the sensors that you want to measure.A graph will appear and will show a line going up and down which represent the measurement of the hot and cold water.

Description of using the color sensor:

For this experiment, we need the EV3 robot and a box to cover and uncover the color sensor when we run the program. So, we plugged the color sensor into one of the ports and connected it to the EV3 and connect the robot to the computer. The color sensor automatically appeared on the screen. From the bottom, we set up the color sensor and selected the Ambient light intensity. After that, we downloaded the experiment and then unplugged the robot from the computer and navigate the file in the robot. When we press on the color sensor experiment, we can see the set of the green light is flashing which means the experiment is running. After that, we covered the color sensor for seconds and uncover it again until green flash stop flashing. When we connect the cable again to the computer, we uploaded the program from the right button. A window appeared with the experiment that we saved.

It showed the light level when the sensor was cover it drops and it's rais when it uncovers.
The system allowed for data logging from any of attached sensors. This data is available for real-time analysis or manipulation. I can tell the students can collect and do the math on their own data and learn how to use this simple power technology in a fun way.

Exploring EV3 Sensors

The Mindstorms EV3 kit contains sensors (ultrasonic, color/light, gyro, and touch). It allows us to add or remove these sensors. In class, we learned how to add the sensors and investigate the coding block. Also, we have had practice small tasks.

Color Sensor

First, we added the color sensor and investigated the block and then we practiced two tasks detect the colors and follow the line. To detect the colors, we had the robot to go over a board with a different color the robot detected the color and say the colors name. For the other task, we calibrate the color sensor to use it in reflected light mode and then we practiced follow the line.
Programming that calibrates EV3 Color Sensors for black and white

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WKP3Ig7in64gJhNubFfQAHI4IqBsWSxe

Ultrasonic Sensor

Next, we added the ultrasonic sensor to the front and then we investigated the program block and what ultrasonic sensor does is measuring the distance to an object in front of it. We had the robot to detect an obstacle and back up and had the robot move to the next obstacle, back up and stop. Actually, in the ultrasonic sensor wait block. there are two options compare is when the sensor detects the obstacle in centimeters or inches and the change option is when the robot back up and increase the obstacle.

    

Tuch Sensor

We added 2 touch sensors to the EV3 brick one facing up and the other one out front. We practiced starting and stopping in touch. Ther are two options for the touch sensor one is released and the other one is press. When we chose the touch sensor from the wait block, we can choose between compare or change. So, compare has one option which is a state and it means wait until whatever I'm looking for release, press or bump. Also, we added the lop to the program and basically, the lop will run the robot until what I set it to have happened. So, this is a basic programming for the touch sensor.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PcLPRLtXCJr1d4BDdj49dB4LtSIqQliK

    

Gyro Sensor

We practiced the Gyro Sensor which is a digital sensor that detects rotational motion on a single axis. It can detect the rate of rotation in degrees per second and keeps track of the total rotation angle in degrees. You can use this rotation angle to detect how far your robot has turned. We were able to program turns with accuracy degrees for a 90-degree turn.

Note: This sensor must be completely motionless while being plugged into the EV3 Brick. If the Gyro Sensor is attached to a robot, the robot should be held motionless in its starting position as the Gyro Sensor is plugged into the EV3 Brick.

Chapter 6&7 How far & How fast challenge

How far and how fast are one of the in-class task which we have done. The purpose of this task is to teach the students how to use their robot EV3 to measure distance and velocity. Students will learn that adjusting motor rotation, motor power, and time values will affect distance and velocity in several different ways. Students will experience how weight and gravity has a role in the motion of the robot because of the extra weight the textbook adds.

How far:
NASA had asked us to use our data to make predictions about the distance our robot traveled with given specific time constraints. We measured the robot travels in different time values (1,2,3.5,5) seconds and different surfaces table, brick, and carpet. We gathered the data and plot the results on a graph.

Time	Table	Brick	Carpet
1 second	35 cm	24 cm	17 cm
2 seconds	65 cm	51 cm	37 cm
3.5 seconds	76 cm	61 cm	88 cm
5 seconds	110 cm	84 cm	120 cm

After that, We converted each of these time and distances into a speed for each different power.

Power Level %	Brick (time)	Carpet (time)	Table  (time)	Brick Speed	Carpet Speed	Table Speed
10	19.365	18.265	18.35	4.028 cm/s	4.27 cm/s	4.251 cm/s
30	7.1	6.76	6.625	10.986 cm/s	11.538 cm/s	11.774 cm/s
50	4.49	4.41	4.275	17.372 cm/s	17.687 cm/s	18.246 cm/s
70	4.03	4.405	3.4	19.355 cm/s	17.707 cm/s	22.941 cm/s
90	4.47	4.255	3.5	17.450 cm/s	18.331 cm/s	22.286 cm/s

How fast:

We had to observe the qualities of the different speeds and their effects on the different surfaces the robot traveled on. We had to measure the distance the robot traveled during a certain amount of time and calculate other distances based on graphing

On the brick

This video shows the robot runs on the carpet. So, when the robot ran on the carpet, the resistance and friction were increased. This is because the material of the carpet and the material of the tires rub together, causing friction, which slowed the speed of the robot.

On the carpet

The table was the fastest surface in all areas. We agreed that for the most part, the table created the least friction and resistance for the tires of the robot and therefore moved at the greatest speeds with the exception of very lower powers (10%). 

On the table

We had to collect quantitative data and determine speed by dividing distance and time. We also had to find averages in the data for accuracy. This is where the math portion of the experiment took place. We also had to use the technology of a platform and utilize the concept of surface area in order for this technology to be successful for instance the timers and measuring tape.

Power Level %	Brick 1	Brick 2	Brick Avg.	Carpet 1	Carpet 2	Carpet Avg.	Table 1	Table 2	Table Avg.
10	19.88	18.85	19.365	17.95	18.58	18.265	18.20	18.50	18.35
30	7.30	6.90	7.1	6.96	6.56	6.76	6.76	6.49	6.625
50	4.62	4.36	4.49	4.43	4.39	4.41	4.40	4.15	4.275
70	3.96	4.10	4.03	4.48	4.33	4.405	3.54	3.26	3.4
90	4.67	4.27	4.47	4.18	4.33	4.255	3.66	3.34	3.5

The hardest part is this challenge is to hang out to do each task on three different surfaces. We tried to finish all the tasks for one surface first and move to the other surfaces.