Kitronik Lesson in a Box - The Environment

Designed by Teacher's and tested by Pupil's to save you time when teaching Computing, Design & Technology, and Biology/Combined Science at KS3/KS4 (US equivalent - Grades 6-8/9-10).

The Lesson in a Box The Environment pack for micro:bit is a complete set of parts & teaching resources to enable successful cross-curricular lessons at KS3/4 (US equivalent - Grades 6-8/9-10). Lessons come with a detailed lesson plan, cross-referenced to: class slides, workbooks/worksheets, checklists etc., technician’s notes and where appropriate, AFL guidance with answers and plenaries.

This Lesson in a Box spans Computing, Design & Technology, Biology/Combined Science, and all also enrichment day activities.

• Computing - Designing software for the greenhouse.
• Design and Technology - Designing for specific environments.
• Biology/Combined Science - Factors affecting photosynthesis.

In developing this box we wanted it to be affordable, useful and robust enough for teachers to use again and again. The resources cover not only the KS3/KS4 (US equivalent - Grades 6-8/9-10) specifications but also personal development by encouraging pupils to view traditional STEM activities as having value across their curriculum.

The teaching resources included in this pack are set out in a ‘teacher-friendly way, with sufficient detail to enable you to ‘lift’ them, photocopy them and run your lesson(s) with minimal fuss straight out of the box.

Each lesson includes;

• Technicians Notes.
• Lesson plans/Schemes of work.
• Powerpoint presentations.
• Workbooks/sheets.
• Software guides.
• Assessment questions.
• Example code.

The included activities utilise the BBC microbit, the Kitronik Smart Greenhouse kit, servos, and silicone tubing specifically for these activities. The advantages of the microbit are that it is easy to use, feature-packed, and it can be coded with languages that suit every ability level.

Also included with the kit is a large lifecycle of a plant poster, ideal for the classroom wall.

Features:

• This Lesson in a Box is a complete set of electronics and teaching resources to enable successful cross-curricular lessons with minimal teacher effort.
• The 21 included lessons span D&T, Computing, and Biology/Combined Science.
• No soldering is required for technicians or students.
• The kit and teaching resources have been tried and tested by pupils and developed by teachers to save you time.
• In developing this box we wanted it to be affordable, useful and robust enough for teachers to use again and again.
• The resources cover not only the KS3/KS4 (US equivalent - Grades 6-8/9-10) specifications but also personal development by encouraging pupils to view traditional STEM activities as having value across their curriculum.
• The subject packs come with a detailed lesson plan, cross-referenced to: class slides, workbooks/ worksheets, checklists etc., technician’s notes and where appropriate, AFL guidance with answers and plenaries.
• Packaged in a sturdy reusable Gratnells tray.
• Just add micro:bits for each kit and you are good to go!
• It's fun to teach and fun to learn!

Contents:

There are 10 student and 1 teacher sets of Electronics (11 in total). Each set includes:

• 2 x Moulded plastic greenhouse enclosure parts.
• 1 x Kitronik Environmental Control Board for micro:bit.
• 1 x Water Pump.
• 1 x Kitronik ZIP Stick.
• 1 x Moisture Sensor.
• 5 x Crocodile Leads.
• 1 x ZIP extension cable.
• 1 x Screwdriver.
• 1 x Servo.

Also included in the kit are;

• 5M of Tubing.
• Gratnells Tray and Lid.
• A lifecycle of a plant poster, ideal for the classroom wall.
• User guide Booklet, containing assembly and coding instructions.
• 2GB USB drive, see below for contents.

Video:

The USB drive contains:

All of the documentation, including full teaching resources for 21 lessons, including 3 complete half-term projects are included on the 2GB USB drive supplied with the kit. The contents include;

• Quick start guide.
• Software guide.
• Teleterm setup guide.
• Greenhouse Kit build video.
• Lesson plans/Schemes of work.
• Design & Technology:
• KS3 Smart Greenhouses in Challenging Environments (Scheme of Work - 6 lessons)
• KS4 Design Prototyping (1 lesson)
• Computing:
• KS3 Data Collection & Analysis Creative Project (Scheme of Work - 6 lessons)
• KS4 Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (2 lessons)
• Biology/Combined Science:
• KS3 Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Project (Scheme of Work - 6 lessons)
• KS4 Impact of Light on Photosynthesis Experiments (2 lessons)
• Powerpoint presentations.
• Workbooks/sheets.
• Assessment questions.
• Example code.

Requires:

• 1 x micro:bit per kit.

Resources:

• What is Lesson in a box and who is it for.
• Video: Overview of Lesson in a box.

• Tech Talk Livestream playback - Lesson in a box concept - w' Caroline Keep, Alasdair Trench & Kevin Spurr.