Doing an expedition, dissertation research or GCSE/A Level/university field teaching?
You'll need to measure stuff. Scientific sensors are usually very expensive and may not measure what you want to but these days you can build your own using open source hardware and software. Come and learn how to design and implement field research involving low-cost sensors using the freestation.org approach.
This course consists of two elements:
Zoom session
An online course via Zoom on 24 March 2021 will get you started by demonstrating what you can build and how. We will then be available for your questions as you build the FreeStation classroom demo unit (if you want to).
Field practical
There will then be a one-day field course in the Thames Estuary on Wednesday 26 May 2021 when you'll be able to use a range of kit (built by us) for some monitoring in the real world (mudflats, salmarsh, hillslope and woodland) as well as have our input on what you have built, and do some hands on assembly of a range of sensors.
You can sign up to just one or both.
Field course
We are also running a field course on 26 May 2021 which will be an opportunity for a walk and talk to find out more about the environment, development, conservation, geomorphology, and history of the Thames Estuary at Chalkwell, Leigh on Sea, Hadleigh Castle and Canvey Island.
Find out more about the field course
Content
A practical online and field workshop on how to build your own field sensors and data loggers for environmental fieldwork research using low-cost hardware (Arduino and Particle micro-processors) and open source software (FreeStation) at a fraction on the cost of conventional monitoring instruments. The techniques covered are applicable to any kind of environmental or geographical fieldwork. We will also cover use of low cost sensors in field research and teaching.
This course will cover:
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An introduction to low-cost sensing concepts and applications
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The Arduino and Particle platforms
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Demonstration of low cost sensing for: rivers, soil and agriculture, weather and plant physiology, water and air quality
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Building the FreeStation.org designs
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Getting started with your FreeStation classroom demo unit
Suitable for GCSE, A Level and university teachers as well as academic researchers and research students.
Course leader
Course leader Mark Mulligan is Professor of Physical and Environmental Geography at King’s College London with a special interest in field research, simulation modelling and remote sensing. He has led field teaching and research programmes throughout Europe, Latin America and South-east Asia. Mark is also a honorary fellow at the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).