Description

By William Van Zyl

Thinking of the sustainability of a cave is not something that comes to mind naturally. It requires prompts: What choice of materials is best for constructing the walkways? What type of lighting is best? Could the electrical system of the cave be powered via solar power? To what extent could sensors, computer programmes, and digital systems be implemented to maximise the caves’ sustainability? These are the questions we address in this article. The focus is on the BBC’s micro-computer, namely the MICRO:BIT. A short lesson is included at the end of the article.

Do you think digital technology, like sensors and micro-computers, could help protect limestone caves’ sensitive ecosystems? If your answer is yes, this article will support your conviction. However, if you don’t have knowledge of modern technology and the many possibilities, this article is also for you. It is written in straightforward terms so anyone interested will understand the ideas, concepts and designs. If you are a student or a teacher, this article includes an excellent opportunity for learning new things. Teachers could use this resource to produce a unique lesson on digital technology and sustainability! A is lesson is included at the end of the article.

Read the full article online here:

https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/04/02/sensors-maintaining-the-eco-equilibrium-of-sensitive-limestone-caves-in-new-zealand-stem-and-digital-technologies-programming-microprocessors-as-sensors-to-improve-cave-sustainability-microbit-an/

Diagram: Sectional view of a walkway in the Waitomo Caves (NZ). Freehand sketch by the author. Material choices: Galvanised steel, stainless steel, galvanised mesh, galvanised rods & epoxy (glue). Lighting choices: LED lighting. Sensors: Oxygen, CO2, temperature & ultrasonic. Can you think of any other sensors that could make a difference in the ecology of a cave? What is ecology? Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and their world. Credit sketch: W. Van Zyl.

Contents

 

Materials and components: Page 6

Considering the construction materials for the walkways: Page 7

‘Do your bit’ challenge (Micro:bit – microprocessor/pocket computer). 7

This article builds on the first article by the author. Here is the link to the previous article by the Author: 8

Entering a Dark, Humid Cave – lit up by cat-eyed, yellow fiery flies – could turn your thinking upside down – https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/03/20/entering-a-dark-humid-cave-lit-up-by-cat-eyed-yellow-fiery-flies-could-turn-your-thinking-upside-down/. 8

Life on Land: Sustainable Development Goals 15 (United Nations). 9

Learning Intention: 9

Here is a diagram of the Micro:bit with annotations: 10

The mBot Buggy from Makeblock. 10

GIS and Karstic Cave Monitoring. 14

Ever wondered what the average temperatures in caves are?. 15

Engineer Hamish Trolove from Wellington, New Zealand (ABOUT HAMISH). 15

How does the ultrasonic range finder of the mBot works?. 16

Let’s test its sensitivity. 17

How could the other sensors of the mBot be utilised in the caves to improve sustainability?. 18

What about the sensors of the Micro:bit? Could the Micro:bit be used to sense changes in a cave?. 18

LESSON PLAN: Application of a microprocessor (Micro:bit) to maintain the eco-equilibrium in a limestone cave-system. Focus on sensors. 23

The challenge to students: The application of the sensors in the caves. 23

Learning intention: 23

Copyright © 2021 by William Van Zyl 25

Sensors: Maintaining the eco-equilibrium of sensitive limestone caves in New Zealand. STEM and Digital Technologies -Programming microprocessors as sensors to improve cave sustainability (Micro:bit and Makerbot – mBot). 25

About the Author: Page 26

More articles, eBooks, lessons and resources available to teachers and students at Five House Publishing. Page 26

 

LESSON PLAN: Application of a microprocessor (Micro:bit) to maintain the eco-equilibrium in a limestone cave-system. Focus on sensors.

Do now: Identify all the different sensor possibilities of the Micro:bit and /or the mBot?

 

 

The challenge to students: The application of the sensors in the caves.

 

The challenge now is to consider the Micro:bit sensors and how they could be implemented in the Waitomo Caves (or other caves). For instance, how to improve and manage sustainability in the Waitomo caves (or any other cave). Use these concepts and components as a guide.

 

1. Monitoring the temperature in the caves
2. Accelerometer (detecting movement)
3. Light sensor (detecting day and night time)
4. Touch sensor (touch switch controlling the lights in the caves – on/off – timers)
5. Compass bearing (could provide compass bearing in the caves). Will the Micro:bit’s compass work underground? Find out how the compass works before attempting to answer this question?
6. In groups or in pairs, brainstorm and discuss the possible applications of the technology discussed in this article.

 

Learning intention:

 

1. To learn about the ecosystems in caves
2. To learn about the different sensor components of the Micro:bit and mBot (or Raspberry Pi/Arduino Uno)
3. To learn how to apply the knowledge of sensors in a cave context with a focus on sustainability (monitor and manage).
4. To learn about the effect and impact these sensors could have in detecting change. How to maintain the optimum equilibrium in the caves? Remember the focus is on sustainable practice.

 

ACTIVITY 1: Identify the different sensors of the Micro:bit? Make a diagrammatic sketch with annotations of the Micro:bit?

 

ACTIVITY 2: Identify all the different aspects that influence the ecosystem in a cave? Explain in short how it all works together to maintain the balance of the cave-system?

 

ACTIVITY 3: Explore how the Micro:bit could work to detect changes in the cave-system? Explain the detection capabilities of the sensors briefly?

 

ACTIVITY 4: Practical. Program the Micro:bit using simple electrical diagrams and code to illustrate the different sensor capabilities? Make simple diagrammatic sketches and paste the code into a Google Doc. Share with the teacher.

 

ACTIVITY 5: If you have a Micro:bit or mBot, create a cave sensor of your choice. Test it in a dark room. Type up a short review of your findings. Illustrate and communicate your design with diagrams and photos. Share with the teacher and the class.

 

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT WORK: GOOGLE DOC SHARED WITH THE TEACHER

 

1. Photographs (phone photos are fine) pasted into a Google Doc. Shared with the teacher.
2. Diagrams with annotations (pencil, pen and watercolours) – Google Doc.
3. Micro:bit/mBot computing code: Pasted code into the Google Doc. Screenshots are fine.
4. A short summary of the system. Typed up with a heading for a sensor.
5. Explain how the sensors will improve the cave-system’s sustainability? In other words, how the Micro:bit will detect and warn of any changes in the caves. For example, the increase of CO2 levels as humans move through the caves with a guide.
6. OPTIONAL – Bigger picture question (advanced): How does caves contribute to climate change and sustainability in general on a global scale?
7. ADVANCED (optional) – How will the power supply get from the surface (outside the cave) to the inside to provide power to the sensors. Think about saving power. Think about solar panels and more.
8. ADVANCED (optional) – How will the sensors communicate with the computers on the surface (an office somewhere outside the caves)? Tiny cables? Bluetooth maybe? By the way, just want to mention that a large hole was drilled (Waitomo Caves, NZ) which the construction workers used to transport concrete, materials, and equipment while creating the walkways and infrastructure inside the caves. Drill holes for the cables?

 

Download the full story and review of the Ruakuri cave construction:

 

*RUAKURI CAVES Martin Hansen and Tanya Wylie

https://cdn.ymaws.com/concretenz.org.nz/resource/resmgr/docs/conf/2006/s5_p2_wylie_hansen.pdf