Explore – The Engineering Design Process

Explore

After deciding on the idea of a seismometer for the Microbit Smart Device Challenge Final Project, I started researching about how seismometers work. I found out that almost all earthquake detectors have a heavy mass suspended in midair from a frame by a spring or a string. Because of the pendulum principle, the heavy mass moves more when in midair. Some of the most sensitive seismometers that can detect even the smallest vibrations are all made in this context. After I read this, I immediately came up with an idea to make my project work. I could tie a very long, thin string to a box, add things in, for example, coins, and suspend it in midair, and finally I could put the micro-bit inside the box, which is programmed to beep and light up once it detects vibrations. By suspending the micro-bit in midair and by making its mass heavier, it would allow it to be even more sensitive to vibrations.

Identify the Problem – The Engineering Design Process

Identify the Problem

Even though earthquakes are not that common in everyday life, when they do actually occur, they could be very dangerous and deadly. Lots of people do not realize there is an earthquake just before it happens, and are not prepared for it, resulting in injury or death. Also, not everyone has an earthquake detector. On the February advisory, after I was told that we had to design a smart device that could actually help people out with micro-bits, I came up with many ideas, but eventually stuck onto an earthquake detector, which could be very useful to alert people when a sizable earthquake strikes. Once my coded micro-bit detects vibrations given off by the earthquake, it would immediately start beeping, alerting people to get to cover.