IOT Temperature Sensor Network
Join a cutting-edge engineering internship in Costa Rica focused on designing, deploying, and optimizing temperature sensor systems inside an active sea turtle hatchery. This project directly supports conservation research, using technology to improve hatchling survival rates and produce scientifically valuable climate data.
This is not a simulated project or classroom exercise — interns work on live systems operating in harsh coastal environments, collecting real data used by conservation researchers and government partners.
Project Overview
Sea turtle hatchling sex ratios and survival rates are highly dependent on nest temperature. Our project focuses on developing a robust, scalable sensor network that continuously monitors temperature conditions across a protected hatchery.
Engineering interns will help design and implement a system that includes:
- 9 internal nest sensors within the hatchery
- 3 external control sensors outside the hatchery
- 1 open-air ambient temperature sensor
- Centralized data logging and visualization
- Long-term environmental data storage for research use
The goal is to deliver accurate, real-time temperature data that informs conservation decision-making while serving as a platform for future automation and analytics.
Engineering Challenges You’ll Work On
This internship is designed for students who want practical engineering experience beyond theory.
Hardware & Systems Engineering
- Sensor selection and calibration
- Low-power electronics design
- Weatherproofing and corrosion resistance
- Deployment in sand, heat, humidity, and salt air
Embedded Systems & Firmware
- Microcontroller programming
- Data sampling optimization
- Power management for continuous operation
- Fault tolerance and system reliability
Software & Data Engineering
- Sensor data logging and validation
- Data transmission and storage architecture
- Visualization dashboards for researchers
- Preparing datasets for long-term scientific analysis
Environmental Engineering Constraints
- Non-invasive installation methods
- Zero impact on turtle nests
- Compliance with conservation and research permits
- Ethical engineering in wildlife environments
