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Lessons / Healthy oceans

Healthy oceans

Design challenge

2 activities

MakeCode

11-14 yrs, 14-16 yrs

Two longer activities to build prototypes to learn about how wireless networks, smart materials and algorithms can help keep our oceans clean.

Each activity could last for one or more extended sessions in a formal lesson, code club or maker space context.

In the Ocean health monitor project, students make prototypes of wireless sensors to monitor the environment at sea.

In the Oil spill cleaner-upper project, students design an efficient algorithm to clean an area of sea in the first part, then create an autonomous vehicle that can mop up oil spills.

Computational thinking:

Algorithms

Flowcharts

Computer systems:

Input/output

Sensors

Design & technology:

Electronics

Product design

Global Goals:

14 Life below water

Networks:

IoT

Arm School Program

These projects are contributed by the Arm School Program

Download design challenge

Activity 1 details

Overall key learning

  • Understand what the Global Goals are
  • Understand what Global Goal 14 is and its significance
  • Understand the basics of transmitting data
  • Produce a data node product to meet the success criteria
  • Produce an Oil Spill Cleaner-Upper product to meet the success criteria
  • Develop the products further with additional features

Additional skills

Design thinking, prototyping, modifying, testing, problem-solving, creative thinking.

Activity 1: Ocean health monitor

Make working prototypes of wireless sensors which could be used to monitor the environment at sea, including waves and weather and learn about how real-world sensors are connected through gateways to the internet.

Key learning:

  • Understand what the Global Goals are
  • Understand what Global Goal 14 is and its significance
  • Understand the basics of transmitting data
  • Produce a data node product to meet the success criteria
  • Develop the product further with additional features
Activity 1 details

Activity 2: Oil spill cleaner-upper

This activity is in two parts, you can do either part – or both. The first part can be completed with no additional hardware or even micro:bits, comprising a challenge to design an efficient algorithm to clean an area of sea. The second part builds on this to create an autonomous vehicle that can mop up oil spills.

Key learning:

  • Understand what the Global Goals are
  • Understand what goal 14 is and its significance
  • Produce an Oil Spill Cleaner-Upper product to meet the success criteria
  • Develop the product further with additional features
Activity 2 details

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