Robotics 1.0 Lesson Plan
Lesson 13 - Exploring Sensors

Purpose: Enable students to understand digital and analog sensors, connect them with CPX + Crickit, and read sensor values using CircuitPython.

No. of Classes

2 class (Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes; maximum 4 students per group).

Materials Required

    Desktop or Laptop

    CPX Board

    Crickit Board

    USB Cable

    Light Sensor (Analog)

    Limit Switch

    Soil Moisture Sensor

    Pressure Sensor

Curriculum Content 1.4 Basic electronics
4.1 Connecting External Components
6.4 Inductive Proximity Sensor
6.5 Moisture Sensor
6.6 Rain Sensor
6.7 Photoresistor (external)
6.8 Force Sensitive Resistor (FSR)
6.9 Limit Switch
Prior Knowledge

CPX Board

Crickit Board

USB Cable

Mu Editor

Exercises

Exercise:1


Introduction to Sensors

Click here to learn about sensors.

Exercise:2


Digital Sensors


1. Limit Switch

Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Click here to see the solution.

Exercise:3


Analog Sensors


1. Light Sensor

Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Click here to see the solution.

2. Soil Moisture Sensor

Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Click here to see the solution.

3. Pressure Sensor

Click here to view the connection diagram.

Click here to view the explanation and CircuitPython code.

Click here to see the solution.

Teacher's Instruction
  1. Introduce sensors and explain their importance in robotics.
  2. Explain the difference between Digital and Analog sensors.
  3. Demonstrate the common sensor connection using CPX + Crickit.
  4. Show the working principle of each sensor.
  5. Simple Explanation:
    • Digital sensors return only HIGH or LOW values.
    • Analog sensors return a range of values.
    • Demonstrate how to read sensor values using CircuitPython.
    • Allow students to test each sensor individually.
    • Guide students to troubleshoot incorrect wiring.
    • Use a try–except block to handle errors.
  6. Which of these sensors are Digital and which are Analog?
  7. Which sensor can be used in an automatic watering system?
  8. Which sensor can be used as a safety stop for a robot?
  9. Optional – Additional Reference:

    Teachers may introduce the working principle of the Inductive Proximity Sensor as an optional additional reference.

    Click here to view the explanation, connection diagram, and CircuitPython code.