Modular ventilation laboratory for educational purposes

Improving a technical work environment encourages creativity and enhances research efforts. The conception of a modular ventilation laboratory aims at free construction and assembly of the air circuit in different shapes, sizes, and operational variations. The modules allow the development of academic experiences, automatic data acquisition from sensors, data analysis, and verification of concepts related to ventilation in underground mines. The modular ventilation laboratory uses a teaching methodology based on a playful and low-cost way to teach engineering, mainly underground mine ventilation. The aim of this work is essentially to propose the creation of a modular underground mine ventilation laboratory to facilitate engineering teaching and allow the simulation of real situations. The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology was used to develop a framework for building the modular educational ventilation laboratory. This methodology encompasses project planning and studying, applying the Ventsim® software, and the design of a teaching laboratory with sensors and microcontrollers using the Internet of Things (IoT). The results involve the construction of a physical project with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes and connections and electronic circuits. The project presents the main parameters monitored in underground mines and foresees the simulation of scenarios, aiming to facilitate an understanding of the concepts of fluid mechanics and mining ventilation. The conclusions indicate that using simulation in pedagogical practices develops several activities that contribute to innumerable learning and expands the network of constructive meanings as a learning strategy.