Smart plant pots 1 (Year 9 Digital Design)

  • SOI: The development of sustainable systems positively improves the environment.
  • Key concept: Systems
  • Related concept: Sustainability
  • Context: Globalisation and sustainability (human impact on the environment)
  • Assessed criteria: A, B
  • Technology: Shaper3D

Help promote the sustainability of increased greenery at home or in our classrooms, by designing a system tor an IoT connected self-watering pot that nurtures your plant according to it’s requirements.


Rubrics

Criterion A: Inquiring and Analysing

1-2

  • Say what the problem is and why someone might want a better planter.
  • Share a few things you found from your research.

3-4

  • Explain why someone needs a better planter.
  • Say what you researched and what you still need to find out.
  • Describe one product that gave you an idea.
  • Write a basic design brief that says what your planter will try to do.

5-6

  • Give a clear reason why a smart planter is needed for a specific user/group.
  • Plan your research and say what is most important.
  • Describe several real products that inspired you.
  • Write a clear design brief that explains what you learned.

7-8

  • Explain and justify the need for your planter.
  • Create a detailed research plan independently.
  • Compare products to see what works and what doesn’t.
  • Write a detailed design brief that includes analysis.

Self assessment and peer feedback checklist

  • A.i Clearly explained why someone needs this product, not just what it is*
  • A.i Described a real problem this planter could solve
  • A.ii Created a research plan that includes what I needed to find out and why
  • A.ii Prioritized the most important research topics (e.g. planter features, electronics, printing limits)
  • A.iii Described at least 3 existing products and what I learned from them
  • A.iii Compared what works and doesn’t work in other planters
  • A.iv Written a design brief that explains what I learned from research
  • A.iv My design brief clearly explains what my design will aim to do

Criterion B: Developing ideas

1-2

  • Write a short list of what your planter should do.
  • Share one sketch or idea.
  • Try to draw your final design (may be incomplete).

3-4

  • Make a longer list of success criteria.
  • Share 2–3 design ideas with notes or labels.
  • Say why you chose your final idea.
  • Make a basic diagram of your final design.

5-6

  • Create a clear success criteria list.
  • Share detailed sketches of at least 2–3 design ideas.
  • Explain why you chose your final design.
  • Make an accurate and labeled diagram.

7-8

  • Use your research to develop strong success criteria.
  • Share multiple well-labeled design ideas.
  • Clearly explain why your final design is best.
  • Make a detailed, labeled, and scaled drawing (or CAD model).

Self assessment and peer feedback checklist

  • B.i Created a clear list of success criteria (what my planter must do)
  • B.i Based my success criteria on research and target user needs
  • B.ii Sketched at least 2–3 different design ideas
  • B.ii Labeled and explained the key features of each idea
  • B.iii Chosen one final design and explained why I chose it
  • B.iii Used my success criteria to justify my final design
  • B.iv Created a detailed and accurate diagram (hand-drawn or Shapr3d)
  • B.iv Labeled all key features (e.g. reservoir, electronics space, dimensions)
  • B.iv My drawing/diagram could be used to actually build the planter

Schedule

Lesson 1 - Introduction to unit

Lesson 2 - Research & product analysis

Lesson 3 - Success criteria + begin sketching

Lesson 4 - Finalise sketches & justify decision

Lesson 5 - Develop final plan (drawing or CAD)

Lesson 6 - Submit design journal (A & B)

Lesson 7 & 8 - Shapr3D introductory tutorials and exercises

Lesson 9 & 10 - Design the basic pot

including overall shape, water tank and how the various components will fit together

Lesson 11 & 12 - Design the electronics bay

including supports to fit, mount and support each of the required components

Lesson 13 & 14 - Finalise your designs and prepare to 3d print

Finalise ARR


Copyright © Paul Baumgarten.