Tools/Sensors

Sensors⁽ⁱ⁾ are obviously tools for measuring in science, but why might they be better than regular tools? Are they more accurate; more convenient or less costly? On these points alone, they are certainly no better than an everyday device such as a thermometer.

Sensors and data loggers⁽ⁱ⁾ are in part ‘special’ because they can display fast changes and measure with precision. A temperature sensor linked to a live graph can give us a better insight into how a cup of coffee cools. Sensors also extend the range of things we can measure - from timing a falling mass to recording human pulse changes during a race. Importantly, a live display of a changing measurement can provide pupils with a tacit understanding for the changes they will investigate.

An accelerometer⁽ⁱ⁾ might give an insight into gravity by directly measuring it. Another sensor, called a light gate⁽ⁱ⁾, might show how acceleration is derived from measuring distance and time. These examples aim to highlight that deriving some benefits from data logging may depend on the design of the teaching activity. The idea that is key is that the benefits from using sensors are not always automatic.

Nearby are examples to evaluate what sensors bring to science.