Learn to build a functioning pulse sensor and measure your heart rate.
In this mission, Piperbot and Pip find themselves on a new, swampy planet that makes Pip tired! To figure out if Pip’s pulse has slowed down, you build a heart rate sensor and use it to measure your pulse.
Students will learn about the tools used in a doctor’s office, including a stethoscope, thermometer, scale, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure monitor.
Students will gain knowledge of how ultrasound technology works.
Students will learn about the organ systems in the human body (including muscular, skeletal, circulatory, nervous, and digestive) and how we use different technologies to study them.
Students learn a healthy heart rate and how a heart pumps blood into vessels, changing pressure, which is measurable.
Students understand how to measure a heart rate by looking at the interval between high points, or peaks, in graphed data.
Students learn how smartwatches can measure heart rate.
Learning Activities
The following sections will contain step by step instructions for ELA, ELD and Math extensions directly related to this mission. Adjust the directions to fit your ELA, ELD and Math standards.
ELA Extension: Bio-med Tech Tools
Start by asking your students to think about their last doctor’s visit. Now ask:
Did the doctor or the nurse measure anything?
What tools do you remember?
What about outside the doctor’s office?
Does anyone have a smartwatch?
Ask your students to come to the board and draw any tools they saw in the doctor’s office. Some common ones are the following:
ELD Extension: Bio-med Tech Tools
There are so many things our bodies can do, but when something goes wrong, it can cause people to become very sick. Luckily, we’ve figured out how to use technology to study our body's systems.
Math Extension: Ultrasonic Range Finder as Ultrasound
This OPTIONAL mission is not a Piper Make mission but rather an illustration of how we can use ultrasound in medicine. All you need is a few sheets of graph paper, scissors, and tape.
⚠️ This challenge requires the ULTRASONIC RANGE FINDER (Sensors or Robotics).
Career Connections
Remote Sensing Technician: Salary $50,290/yr
Security/Fire System Installers: Salary $50,130/yr
Have an different version? Look for more information on the Support Page.
Troubleshooting Tips
Where do I attach the Velcro piece?
Step 1 on the blueprint refers to the bottom piece. Center the Velcro piece as the diagram shows in Step 1.
What do I do if a message pops up when I connect my Pico to Piper Make saying that the firmware needs to be updated?
Click Accept, and follow the instructions.
Are you having difficulty with Step 2 of the assembly?
You may find it easier to put the pieces together with all 4 ‘legs’ on the table as if Step 2 shows them unfolded.
Is your Pulse not reading correctly?
The O-Ring may be too tight. Take it off and lightly close the Pulse instead. Alternatively, you could use a rubber band or hair tie, or tighten the screws, which will help hold the Pulse in the position you want.
Do not press hard on the sensor; a light touch with the thumb is all you need. Play around with which fingers get a more accurate result.
Our customer support specialists are on hand to ensure your implementation of Piper runs seamlessly. View Support Docs or Contact Support
EXPANDED RESOURCES
Term Glossary
Engineer Someone who designs, builds, or fixes things to solve problems.
Sensor A device that produces an output signal to sense a physical phenomenon.
Conditional Statement A coding instruction used to compare values and express and make decisions, like an if-then statement.
List A sequence of several values grouped under a single name in code. A group of items or components. A tool used to store multiple pieces of information at once.
Computer with USB port and Chrome or Edge browser
Piper Make Base Station or Starter Kit
Piper Make Pulse
Remote Sensing Technician: Salary $50,290/yr
Security/Fire System Installers: Salary $50,130/yr
Computer Hardware Engineer: Salary $132,360/yr
Hydrologic Technician: Salary $53,360/yr
