STEM Technology Applied to Biology Labs: Quantifying Cellular Respiration with Sensors and Arduino Microcontroller Technology

 

Denise A. Piechnik, Mary Puterbaugh Mulcahy, & Brittni Cumberland

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2017, Volume 38

Abstract

Re-programmable microcontrollers and sensors are an effective way to integrate technology into STEM courses by having students record direct measurements of CO2 from aerobic or anaerobic cellular respiration. An ideal introduction to instrumentation, this sensing system lacks some known drawbacks of the “black-box” data loggers and expensive pre-fabricated sensors. The Arduino microcontroller connected to a digital component CO2 sensor enables students to directly measure CO2 output (ppm) for under $200 (computer needed). A healthy open-source community supports this type of DIY approach to science, including demonstrations of skills needed, like basic programming and basic electronics.

Keywords:  cellular respiration

University of Houston (2016)