Rapid Moisture Tester Project

Kits of components to build a functional Moisture Tester that can be used to tell if pot plants require water.

The kits contain all the electronic components required, except the PCBs, which are available separately. This provides the option to buy ready-made PCBs or for students to make their own.

The moisture tester project has been designed as an introduction for Key Stage 2 & 3 students to the use of resistors and transistors in circuits.

Teachers notes are available to download here.

• Students start by investigating the care of house plants and the problems associated with incorrect moisture content of soil
• Downloadable information and activity sheets then guide the students through a series of exercises to build background knowledge in the use of resistors and transistors in circuits
• For manufacture, the project allows the teacher to select from two alternative methods of circuit construction, either self adhesive copper tape onto card or on a printed circuit board (available separately) see order code 34-0635
• Upon completion of manufacture students are then guided through an evaluation of their work
• They also have the option of producing a 3D model using high density polystyrene foam illustrating how they might develop a final product if the design were manufactured commercially
• Project notes are available for free download and are designed to be photocopied for class use
• They include both detailed student and teacher notes, which contain suggested lesson plans, mapping to the National Curriculum and a series of structured homework assignments to support the work in class
• The component kits are supplied in multiples of 5 and include:
• All components including LEDs, battery clip, resistors and transistors
• The project can be produced using PCB available or self adhesive copper tape (see PCB products section)
• Suitable for Key Stages 2 & 3 (ages 7 to 14)