Sensors / Probeware
Collecting & Analyzing Data
Collecting & Analyzing Data
Use the Phyphox app (or a similar sensor-based app) to conduct three different experiments that utilize your smartphone’s built-in sensors (e.g., motion, sound, light, or pressure).
Collect and share your data from each experiment, including graphs or summaries of your results.
Explain the educational value of each investigation, discussing how it can support inquiry, data analysis, and real-world connections in a secondary science classroom.
Reflect on how using mobile sensors can make abstract scientific concepts more tangible and engaging for students.
Design a unique scientific investigation that meaningfully incorporates one or more smartphone sensors (e.g., GPS, accelerometer, light, microphone, camera, or magnetometer) to explore a scientific concept through data collection and analysis. Your investigation should:
Identify a clear scientific question or problem relevant to your teaching context (e.g., “How does light intensity change throughout the day in different classroom locations?”).
Select appropriate sensors and explain how they will be used to collect valid and reliable data.
Plan the procedure — outline step-by-step how students will collect data, control variables, and record observations using their phones.
Describe data analysis methods, such as graphing, comparing patterns, or interpreting sensor readings in relation to scientific principles.
Highlight the learning objectives, showing how the investigation supports inquiry skills, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning.
Include reflection prompts or discussion questions for students to connect their findings to real-world contexts.
Describe how this activity was employed and its effectiveness.