A growing trend in computing is the “Internet of Things” (abbreviated as: IoT) – devices connected to the internet (and/or to other devices) which interact with the physical world by gathering, processing, and sharing data. IoT devices are also referred to as connected devices or as smart devices.
Many different IoT devices are becoming developed for consumers, businesses, industry, agriculture, healthcare, and the public sector. A few examples include:
Wearable devices that monitor people’s health and fitness
Smart thermostats that keep homes comfortable while also saving energy
Connected street lights that adjust based on time of day, season, and weather conditions
Smart farming systems that monitor precise weather, soil, and crop conditions
etc.
Similar to robotic devices, IoT devices follow a "sense-think-act" cycle to interact with the physical world. IoT devices also "communicate" through an internet or network connection.
SENSE: IoT devices typically have one or more physical inputs (such as sensors, etc.) that gather data from the physical environment.
THINK: IoT devices are programmed to analyze data from their inputs to make decisions and respond to certain conditions by acting through their outputs.
ACT: IoT devices typically have one or more physical outputs (such as motors, etc.) that can do something in the physical environment.
COMMUNICATE: IoT devices send and/or receive data by communicating with other apps, databases, or other devices through an internet or network connection (which is often a wireless signal such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). This data communication can serve as a digital input ("sense") or as a digital output ("act").
The “Internet of Things” is the result of advances in technology and manufacturing that have made it feasible to incorporate computing and networking features into almost any device:
Computing parts (such as processors, sensors, batteries, etc.) have become much smaller, more powerful, more energy-efficient, and more affordable.
Wireless networking (such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) has become much faster, more energy-efficient, and more widespread. While IoT devices can use a wired network connection (such as Ethernet), a wireless connection makes it much easier for devices to connect to the internet or another network.
Copyright © 2016-2021 Michael Frontz and Jim Lyst, Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI
This project is tailored for an IoT electronics kit called the . SparkFun also sells a variety of other sensors and components that can be used with the Photon kit. For example, it is highly recommended to add an to the kit for more design possibilities.
However, you may use another IoT electronics kit of your choice for this project. If the IoT kit is programmed using Arduino or Wiring, you may be able to use (or modify) the tutorials and references in the accompanying (depending on the particular components and capabilities of your IoT electronics kit).
This project is designed to follow the research-based developed by the Buck Institute of Education.
It is recommended that each student also complete one or more in parallel to this project. These research reports should be shared with the class (and beyond).
This material is part of the high school computer science curriculum developed for the program, an award-winning community partnership in central Indiana that is broadening student participation in computing and helping students develop the skills essential for success in the 21st century workplace. The iDEW program is managed by the .
This work is licensed under a . You are free to use, share, or adapt this material for noncommercial purposes as long as you provide proper attribution and distribute any copies or adaptations under this same license.
