Commonly Available Sensor Systems

What kinds of sensor systems might be most readily available for homes and schools that can be included in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum? Gardening and home security provide the most commonly available technologies. What are minimum costs for use?

Gardening

Indoor automation

• AeroGarden from AeroGrow
• review http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/12/17/aerogarden/
• http://www.xs4all.nl/~sbolt/e-groeneVinger.html Solar powered build it yourself "green thumb" monitors plant water level. Full construction details
  http://www.xs4all.nl/~sbolt/e-groeneVinger_Duim.html Hooking up a small solar powered pump to the "green thumb" results in automated, just-in-time, minimal water usage gardening!
• http://blueschism.net/projects/greenthumb/

Outdoor

• AVIDwireless® has designed the AVIDframework™ http://avidwireless.com/AVIDFramework.htm
• http://avidwireless.com/RemoteWaterMonitoring.htm
• Data acquisition for measurement computing http://www.measurementcomputing.com/index.html
• Aquaterr http://www.aquaterr.net/products.html
• Bluetooth temperature sensor http://embedded-system.net/bluetooth-temperature-sensor-blueradios-bluesensor.html
• http://www.sensorland.com/HowPage051.html
• Google search - Grocery store humidity sensors

Greenhouses

• Google Search - greenhouse
• Google Search - greenhouse technology
• Google Search - greenhouse supplies

  References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse
• http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/
• Buckminster Fuller Institute http://bfi.org/
• http://www.world-agriculture.com/greenhouse/greenhouse-how-to-build-greenhouse.php

Drip Irrigation

• http://www.dripirrigation.com/
• http://groups.ucanr.org/sonomamg/Sonoma_Gardener_Articles/Drip_Irrigation_Basics.htm
• http://www.agromind.com/AgroHome/Main/home.aspx
• http://www.export.gov.il/Eng/_Articles/Article.asp?ArticleID=677&CategoryID=494&Page=1
• http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Sprinkler-System-Rain-Freeze-Wind-Sensors-s/33.htm
• Inexpensive Automated Eco-Friendly Water Soaker Garden Irrigation System http://searchwarp.com/swa216412.htm

Home security

AlarmSystemReviews.com.

Companies

Brickhouse Security (providing audio and video recording, and location data (GPS and other), sound sensors, motion sensor, water sensor.

Products

• Videocam to iPhone/iPod Touch
• Radio Shack security systems
• Google Search for home security
• MemoCam

Sensor Chapter Houghton - created October 26, 2008