Week 2

Overview: Students had the day off to commemorate Memorial Day

Overview: Tuesday's agenda, led by Dr. Haitham Adarbah and Dr. Mehdi Sookhak, was dedicated to introducing students to the realm of Internet of Things (IoT) and its applications in agriculture. They delved into the fundamentals of IoT technology, understanding its role in agricultural practices. Specifically, students explored the Raspberry Pi 5 and its components, gaining hands-on experience in assembling and configuring the microcontroller for agricultural applications.

Objective: By the end of the day, students had acquired foundational knowledge in IoT and its potential applications in agriculture, guided by the expertise of Dr. Adarbah and Dr. Sookhak. They demonstrated proficiency in identifying and understanding the components of the Raspberry Pi 5, laying the groundwork for future projects and innovations leveraging IoT technology in agricultural settings.

Overview: Wednesday's agenda centered on practical implementation as students delved into data collection using Raspberry Pi 5 and sensor attachments. They learned to write Python scripts to interface with sensors, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. Through hands-on exercises, students gained proficiency in scripting techniques to read data from sensors and process it for various applications. Additionally, they explored IoT communication protocols to facilitate seamless data transmission.

Objective: By the end of the day, students had acquired practical skills in Python scripting for sensor data collection and analysis. They demonstrated the ability to write scripts to interact with sensors in real-time, empowering them to develop customized solutions for agricultural monitoring and optimization. This hands-on experience equipped students with the tools and knowledge necessary to implement IoT-enabled data collection systems in agricultural settings effectively.

Overview: In the morning, students embarked on a crop tour in the Kingsville/Ricardo area, where they learned about local environmental factors, crop varieties, and cultivation practices for cotton, sorghum, and grains. Interacting with farmers and industry experts, students gained insights into seed traits, planting schedules, and genetic diversity. Later, at a community workshop, students received updates on pesticide use, crop economics, legislative news, grant initiatives, and invasive species in the region.

Objective: By day's end, students acquired practical knowledge about crop cultivation and industry updates. They learned about seed traits, planting schedules, and legislative developments, equipping them with insights to navigate real-world agricultural challenges and contribute to industry innovation.

Overview: On Day 5, students delved into the practical application of outdoor sensors in real-world environments. They learned about utilizing IoT devices for monitoring soil and environmental conditions, focusing on system design and research methodologies. After gaining insights into the operation of IoT systems, students ventured outdoors to collect and monitor data, particularly focusing on soil moisture levels. They also learned about data collection techniques and the subsequent data analysis process.

Objective: By the end of the day, students had gained practical experience in deploying outdoor sensors for environmental monitoring. They learned about system design considerations, research methodologies, and data collection techniques. This hands-on experience equipped them with the skills to implement IoT solutions in real-world settings, paving the way for informed decision-making and problem-solving in agricultural and environmental contexts.