Chemistry and Climate practical educational projects in Chile with low cost sensors

Abstract:

A class of 16 year old students in a public school for girls took part in a climate change practical project with low cost sensors during their chemistry classes. The students put together “Ideaspark” weather station kits which used Arduino micro controllers with temperature, humidity, light and pressure sensors. They learned to solder, they CONNECTED all the electronics and programmed the Arduino so as to read the data from a website and record the data in situ.

Climate change education in Chile is in its early stages but with the COP25 conference to be held in Santiago de Chile in late 2019, there was a big push to carry out educational programs in the months running up to it. Resources for science practical work in Chilean schools are scarce and projects like this are rare, so the effect on the students could be impactful, especially if scientific research is incorporated into the project and the students themselves can present what they have learned. PAR EXplora, a regional science educational initiative funded the work and it is hoped that more projects like this with low cost sensors will be organised.