DIY force sensor for teaching Physics, three components - no soldering and all in a 3d printed case. @adafruit.com ESP32 Feather V2, Adafruit NAU7802 and a load cell. Case on printables (www.printables.com/model/147909... ) and code on Github github.com/RGill-1/Blue... .
A level physics demo - dropping a magnet through a copper tube. This time with a force sensor data logger so we can measure the extra downward force in the copper tube as the magnet falls within. DIY Bluetooth sensor in 3d printed case that streams the data to @phyphox.org app. #iteachphysics
Putting it together with a 3d printed body and webcam tripod made for an interesting build. Can put RGB LEDs in front to show the difference in light quality as well as filament light bulbs. #iteachphysics
Teaching energy levels for AQA A-level, chance to get out the DIY spectroscope and put it in front of different light sources (in this case a fluorescent bulb). Rasp pi, camera and diffraction grating. Annual shout out to Les Wright for his pyspectroscope (2) software that makes it possible.
Would love to have said that my DIY 3d print enclosed light gate could be the solution but robustness and ease of making (and maintaining) 16 of them it's hard to compete. Still a good demo piece, particularly as it records acceleration directly (and very customisable output in @phyphox.org )
Beespi v branded light gate
Our data loggers well and truly past their use by date. Can't remember who it was that first drew my attention to these cheaper light gates. We bought a sample pair and successfully did the GCSE and A-level req practicals with them so they are looking like a viable replacement.. #iteachphysics
Our train was through the Brenner Pass so we didn't have to contend with that fortunately.
That final point would almost certainly have meant it would have worked out cheaper. The return to and from London (from the South West) was one of the more expensive legs of the whole circuit.
Tying back to Physics - struck me en route we would be passing through @phyphox.org HQ in Aachen, sadly at the wrong time of night (and year) to visit.
Also forgot to hit 'go' on the Phyphox elevator experiment when on the glass elevator in Turin. Opportunities missed!
Keeping an eye out for when tickets became available on the various providers to get cheapest fares was the only challenge - they all did summer release at slightly different times.
Might have worked out marginally cheaper if we'd gone down the interrail pass route - something to try next time! 2/
To anyone considering family train holiday in Europe, it works. Back from two weeks; LDN>Brussels>Munich >Verona>Turin->London.
6yo fave train, the Nightjet sleeper to Munich. Rest of us, the train over the Alps into Italy.
Hat tip to @seatsixtyone.bsky.social for opening eyes to what is doable.1/
Away this weekend, chance for a different Parkrun. Really great marshals and super welcoming to this not v far travelled visitor.
Trying to gauge fitness one month out from Chelt HM, so got permission from the 8 y.o to go solo. Just need 5k speed to translate to 21k slog somehow.
#edurunners
The annual challenge of trying to get a booking at CERN for a trip with our YR12 Physics students. Tight window when we can go, and spots go so quickly!
Desperate f5 ing of the website and a couple of late nights has netted a booking, now crossing fingers flight times line up..
Parkrun with the 8 yo. She wanted sub26 so pacing hat firmly on - not the easiest on the undulating Chelt summer course. Meant to be a recovery run for me so legs not happy with her rapid sprint finish.
Was a busy one this morning, made for lots of nice hello's from students past and present tho.
Big fan of their work, and they have stuck with it longer than I did. I've now uploaded my code and bill of parts for the light gate which will give a sense of how I did it github.com/RGill-1/Blue... . @phyphox.org . Our light gates are on their last legs at school so should revisit!
This is the closest I'd got. Never published because it is jankier than other sensors I've done (needs soldering, code iffy). It is double break beam light gate able to do velocity and accel where it is agnostic to object length. Esp32 pings the data to @phyphox.org via ble so no onboard screen.
On the train to the ASE conference in Nottingham. Will be at the school exhibit with the DIY sensors we build as part of a school project. 3d printed cases, off the shelf electronics and using @phyphox.org to visualise the data - inspired by @cleapss.bsky.social Arduino builds.
Follow up lesson to slicing/3d design was some physical computing. Cut 5m reel of assessable LEDs into strips of 8. Dupont -> edge connector and the students had a whale of a time reacquainting themselves with @microbit.org coding. The neopixel library meant all could come up with novel uses.
Favourite three from class of students using tinkercad to design bookmarks. Making good use of the multi colour printing available to them. Simple but effective
#yarrbooty pi r sq h fudge fudge fudge = 361 pieces (don't ask to see working)
#yarrbooty teaching polarisation of light to students. Asked if anyone could create a model for rotating polarising filters - student came back in 24hrs with a motorised Lego frame. Put in front of a esp32 based DIY light sensor and hey presto, polarisation by angle graphed.
BLE really handy for getting it to Phyphox which makes the GUI side of things (graphing, simple analysis) so easy, students can then focus on the work involved with collecting data (selecting sensor/experimental setup etc) rather than the coding required to view data
About to teach specific heat capacity at GCSE. Flicking through the sensor project albums reminded me how clean the 'method of mixtures' demo came out with a home brew double thermistor setup. Placed one thermistor in the brass block and the other in the water it is submerged in.
New to the platform - will mostly be posting about Physics teaching and tinkering with electronics / 3d printing to make DIY sensors to use in the classroom
