Introduction to Sensors Learning Module

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Archived resources from this center

Module Description:

This module, from Support Center for Microsystems Education (SCME), serves as an introduction to sensors, one component found in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This module is related to two other modules that cover components in MEMS, transducers and actuators. These modules are are a part of the SCME MEMS Foundations Topics Modules and are available to view separately.

Module Contents:

This module includes four instructor guides, four participant guides, and a PowerPoint presentation. PDF and Word DOC versions are provided for all of the guides. Guides include Knowledge Probe, Primary Knowledge, What are Sensors Activity, and Final Assessment. Instructor guides include additional content such as instructor notes and questions and answers.

The Knowledge Probe is intended to be used to assess participant's current understanding of sensors.

The Primary Knowledge unit discusses what are sensors, how they differ from transducers, and the type of sensors in both the macros and micro-scales. The following sections are included: Introduction, Objectives, Key Terms, Basic Concepts of Sensors, Thermal Sensors, Mechanical Sensors, MEMS Accelerometer Sensor, Electrical Sensors, Chemical Sensors, and more.

The activity has the following objectives: define sensor, explain how two different types of sensors work, and identify the micro-equivalent of two macro-sized sensors. Procedure directions and post-lab questions are included.

The PowerPoint presentation includes a unit overview, introductions, questions, and a summary. The following are examples of the topics covered: basic concepts of sensors, thermal sensors, mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, and chemical sensors. A PDF version of the presentation is also included.

The final assessment includes eight questions and is intended to assess participants' knowledge after completing the module.

For orientation purposes Sensors_PK_PG.pdf is included as a separate attachment and offers a sample of the type of material included in this module.

Below is a list of the files included in the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis.

Introduction to Sensors (26 files, 8.6 MB)

Instructor Guides
- PDFs
  - What are Sensors? Activity Instructor Guide (Sensors_AC_IG.pdf 126 KB)
  - Final Assessment Instructor Guide (Sensors_FA_IG.pdf 102 KB)
  - Knowledge Probe Instructor Guide (Sensors_KP_IG.pdf 125 KB)
  - Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (Sensors_PK_IG.pdf 1.2 MB)
- Word Docs
  - What are Sensors? Activity Instructor Guide (Sensors_AC_IG_May2017.docx 100 KB)
  - Final Assessment Instructor Guide (Sensors_FA_IG_May2017.docx 45 KB)
  - Knowledge Probe Instructor Guide (Sensors_KP_IG_May2017.docx 146 KB)
  - Primary Knowledge Instructor Guide (Sensors_PK_IG_May2017.docx 1 MB)
Participant Guides
- PDFs
  - What are Sensors? Activity Participant Guide (Sensors_AC_PG.pdf 112 KB)
  - Final Assessment Participant Guide (Sensors_FA_PG.pdf 96 KB)
  - Knowledge Probe Participant Guide (Sensors_KP_PG.pdf 121 KB)
  - Primary Knowledge Participant Guide (Sensors_PK_PG.pdf 1.2 MB)
- Word Docs
  - What are Sensors? Activity Participant Guide (Sensors_AC_PG_May2017.docx 120 KB)
  - Final Assessment Participant Guide (Sensors_FA_PG_May2017.docx 44 KB)
  - Knowledge Probe Participant Guide (Sensors_P1_KP_PG_May2017.docx 46 KB)
  - Primary Knowledge Participant Guide (Sensors_PK_PG_May2017.docx 1 MB)
Presentations
- Introduction to Sensors (Sensors_presentation.pdf 1.8 MB)
- Introduction to Sensors (Sensors_presentation.pptx 995 KB)