The resources are all located in the school but are all available from home for authorised users. All of the toys are cheap, off-the-shelf items that require no, or minimal, modification
All of the controls and resources are fully compatible with with modern web browser and accessible via desktop computer, tablet or smartphone.
Students create their own code and user interfaces to control and integrate everything using simple HTML web pages alone!
Students have full control over the look and feel of their user interface using whatever images, sound or other multi-media elements they may choose to integrate.
All of the HTML coding is created independently by each student using only a simple text editor.
The current WPS student IOT systems include the remote control of:
Example using Raspberry Pi - Simple switching using distance sensor and analogue inputs: https://www.raspberrypi.org/learning/physical-computing-with-python/worksheet/
HINT: First open a streaming video link and then open a separate browser window to implement your controls. This provided almost instant feedback (depending on network quality), so that you can to see what is happening at the remote end when you press a control button on your browser.
NOTE: Each of the following links opens in a new browser tab - Close the new, unwanted tab to return to this page (this is a wiki limitation only)
Don't forget, you can view the real-time remote activity via live video stream (optional audio stream currently disabled).
You must create a link to 'join the dots' by using forward slashes “/” to join each part together to make a link from your browser to the remote device. You must also place your link within the correct HTML5 multimedia tags.
This is some example HTML5 code that you may add to your personal web page to create a link to play a remote sound:
<audio controls> <source src="http://flipster.tv/34sfiles/sound01.mp3" type="audio/mpeg"> </audio>
Example link using the above code:
The resources are all located in the school but are all available from home for authorised users.
Here is some example HTML5 code that you may add to your web page to create a link to play a remote video:
<video src='http://web1.wahroonga-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/34sfiles/video-01.mp4' type='video/mp4' width'210' height='210' controls> </video>
Example link using the above code:
Also, see WC3 Schools HTML5 video and HTML5 audio coding tutorials.
NOTE: It may take a few seconds for a sound and/or video link to appear in the page…! If the link(s) fail(s) to appear after one minute, try refreshing your web page.
Here is some information about how to use RaspberryPi server(s) to control the Internet Of Things:
The links to 'things' is like finding the route map: you need to start at the beginning and 'join the dots' that take you on a clear path to the destination.
Viewing Table 1 can help you 'join the dots' (creating a valid URI) by joining the correct site name, server name, switch type and the switch action:
Summary: At face value, the Cuberider project has one unique feature: it enables students to design and operate a simple experiment on-board the ISS at an undisclosed cost and an unmeasured improvement in student motivation/learning outcomes (also, what is the $$ cost per student?).
It the secondary advantage of being an Australia based, and Australian funded/sponsored project.
The sample teaching module (the PPT example supplied by CUBERIDER) does not include enough information to enable useful feedback.
In every other regard the Raspberry Pi + Astro-pi combination, and others, provide a wider range of features, resources, support and scaleability at lower cost.
For the above reasons, participation has PR value but no evidence that it is worth investing more significant effort hoping for any deeper learning outcomes
The cuberider project. Students design experiments using a Raspberry PI, an add-on hardware 'hat' and customised Python software. A limited range of experiments may be run on-board the ISS. An add-on teaching system is provided.
Access to the ISS is based on the 'ride-sharing' principle - In this case, the primary client (NanoRacks) sends up an approved hardware device (via SpaceX rocket), then multiple clients (schools) send up software. The software for each school is sequentially loaded/deleted onto/from the client hardware at an agreed, scheduled time.
The hardware payload includes a Rasberry Pi, an add-on board called 'Asimov', supplied by a company called Obelisk.
The Python computer language is used to control the hardware and to collect data.
A number of add-on sensor modules are available, including: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Dual Thermometers, Pressure, Humidity, Infrared Light, Ambient Light, Ultraviolet Light, Visible light Camera and Real-Time Clock
NOTE: It is unclear what sensors will be included and/or useable on-board the ISS, but their usefulness for on-board experiment is likely to be very limited!
The most direct comparison is with the
Launched in 2014, astronaut Tim Peake deployed a number of Raspberry PI 'Astro Pi' computers in various locations on board the ISS. He then loaded student-developed onto the devices whilst in orbit, set them running, collected the data generated and then download this to Earth where it was be distributed to school teams.
The Astro-Pi hardware kit is widely available internationally for around AU $50, which includes the following on-board sensors:
The program was developed by Cambridge University and major sponsors include government, European Space agency and Google.
A very wide range of general, project and teaching resources are available on-line - including a web-based Astro-Pi simulator which allows an unlimited number of students to develop code and experiment on 'virtual' hardware devices.
Information about AStro-Pi competition winners is here One Spacecraft Flags Watchdog Treea Reaction Radiation
The Cuberider experimental options for what can be done on-board the ISS is extremely limited compared with what can be done in the classroom or more generally, on planet Earth. Most of the add-on sensors will not be available or will not provide useful data in an ISS context Source
Claims made in articles such as this one from Catholic Ed. are what some kind people might call 'questionable': I think this would be my favourite line: “The project is very authentic because it’s challenging in some parts.“