Arduino Uno R3

Temperature to response

Measure a TMP36 signal, convert it to temperature, and test a response against evidence collected in the room.

CSTA 2026 mapping candidatesNot reviewed by CSTA

MS-DAT-DC-21Data & AnalysisMS-DAT-DI-27Data & Analysis

Students will

Verify a three-pin sensor before wiring
Convert the TMP36 output to degrees Celsius
Choose and test a temperature condition

Evidence of success

The part identity and orientation are recorded
Temperature changes gradually rather than jumping to an endpoint
The response threshold is justified from observed values

Hardware

Arduino Uno R3
TMP36 temperature sensor from the Starter Kit
Breadboard and jumper wires

Prerequisites

Read an analog value
Open Serial Monitor
Identify the exact TMP36 orientation

Before class

Confirm the part marking is TMP36 and verify its pinout
Prepare a room-temperature comparison
Do not substitute an LM35 or transistor based on appearance

Reviewed connection map

TMP36 analog temperature input

5VVerified TMP36 supply pin

TMP36Verify the exact part and orientation

A0Analog output signal

GNDVerified ground pin

Identify the exact TMP36 pinout before inserting it.
Connect its analog output to A0 and its verified supply and ground pins to 5V and GND.

Build and test

01Read the part marking and identify supply, signal, and GND
02Connect the verified TMP36 signal to A0
03Print the raw reading, voltage, and calculated temperature
04Collect stable room-temperature readings
05Warm the sensor gently with fingers and test a threshold above the baseline

Read before uploading

Annotated Arduino sketch

const int SENSOR_PIN = A0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int raw = analogRead(SENSOR_PIN);
  float voltage = raw * (5.0 / 1023.0);
  float celsius = (voltage - 0.5) * 100.0;
  Serial.println(celsius);
  delay(250);
}

Optional engineering record

Record evidence from this lesson

Choose the prompts that help students explain predictions, evidence, debugging, and transfer. Saving creates a new entry in this browser’s Rudi notebook.

Record your thinking — optional4 prompts

Use these prompts if they help students capture evidence, decisions, or questions. You do not need to complete every prompt or create an entry at every step.

Predict: Before you begin, what do you expect to observe when you verify a three-pin sensor before wiring?Evidence: What evidence best demonstrates this result: The part identity and orientation are recorded?Debug: If you encounter “Temperature is implausible or fixed,” what will you check first, and why?Transfer: Where could you reuse the skill from “Temperature to response” in another classroom project?

Nothing is saved until you choose this button.

Troubleshooting

Temperature is implausible or fixed

Disconnect power and verify the exact part, orientation, 5V, GND, and A0 connections.

Values fluctuate

Average several readings and keep the sensor away from direct heat, breath, or a recently handled board.

2026 middle school standards

Potential CSTA connections

Not reviewed by CSTA

These are evidence-based crosswalk candidates for curriculum review—not a claim of official alignment.

MS-DAT-DC-21

Evaluate how different levels of precision and granularity in data collection affect accuracy, storage, and analysis.

Students consider measurement precision while converting an analog signal to temperature.

Lesson evidence: Room-condition temperature record

MS-DAT-DI-27

Summarize a data investigation process, including potential biases, limitations, and supporting evidence.

Students collect repeated sensor readings, identify limitations, and support a threshold or response with evidence.

Lesson evidence: Response threshold and limitations note

View the official 2026 CSTA standardsStandard text: Computer Science Teachers Association (2026), CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Supporting concepts

component-boards · power-and-signals

Sources and review

Arduino Uno R3 documentation Arduino Projects Book · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 TMP36 product information

Starting point, not verified curriculum. Review the actual hardware, circuit, code, power requirements, and classroom conditions.

After teaching this lesson