New
New
Year 4

Data logger tests and understanding the data

I can test my data logger and understand the results.

New
New
Year 4

Data logger tests and understanding the data

I can test my data logger and understand the results.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Data logger prototypes need to be tested and improved before being used in a traffic survey.
  2. Traffic survey data can produce patterns.
  3. Understanding environmental impact of the data can lead to design solutions.

Keywords

  • Environmental impact - the effect something has on the surroundings that an animal or plant lives in

  • Traffic survey - collecting data about traffic patterns in a specific area

Common misconception

Traffic surveys are only about collecting data.

Data collected from the data loggers can be used to understand what is happening in an environment and make suggestions for improvements.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Data logger tests and understanding the data, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Data collection could be done in small groups or as a class. Choosing certain times of the day, that pupils would like to find out more about, would add purpose. There are many cross curricular links to maths and georgaphy that could be explored through this unit.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Data logger cases with micro:bits and battery packs.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - outdoor learning
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is NOT an electrical conductor?
An image in a quiz
a
Correct answer: b
c
Q2.
Which of these is electrical tape?
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
How can the micro:bit show the data it collects?
printing it on paper
sending a text message
Correct answer: displaying it using LEDs
playing a sound
Q4.
How does the micro:bit store the data it collects?
it sends it to a website
it shows it on a screen
Correct answer: it saves it in its memory
it writes it on paper
Q5.
What do you need to connect the micro:bit to a computer?
Correct answer: a USB cable
a Bluetooth speaker
a keyboard
a special application
Q6.
During a traffic survey, what data are you likely to record?
Correct answer: number of cars and bikes passing by
temperature and length of the road
number of dogs being walked

4 Questions

Q1.
Environmental impact means:
the effect something has on the traffic
the effect something has on the data logger
Correct answer: the effect something has on the surroundings
Q2.
Which is NOT a reason for testing a data logger before using it?
in case the program doesn't work
in case the batteries don't work
Correct answer: in case the micro:bit is the wrong colour
in case the circuit isn't connected properly
Q3.
Which type of traffic was the least common in this traffic survey?
An image in a quiz
Bicycle
Car
Correct answer: Bus
Truck
Q4.
After testing, how could the data logger design be changed to measure other traffic types?
Correct answer: download a new program using new inputs
adding zinc-carbon cells to a battery pack
changing the data logger case into a bus design

Additional material

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