Sharing ideas and inspiration for engagement, inclusion, and excellence in STEM
Renewable Energy Investigations: Exploring the Energy Production Impact in Your Community
As the clean energy industry—especially wind power—grows rapidly, engineering, environmental science, and CTE classrooms have an exciting opportunity to explore real-world science concepts that impact both our environment and society. Teaching the science behind renewable energy isn’t only about preparing students for future careers; it’s also a pathway to understanding environmental equity and how energy infrastructure affects communities differently.
Why Teach the Melting Point of Organic Compounds?
At my school Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio, I teach a semester of organic chemistry as an advanced science elective. Students who choose this course learn about carbon-based compounds, from alkanes to arenes, and use a range of Vernier instruments, from melt stations to mini gas chromatographs. Taking this class not only gives my students more opportunities to hone their lab skills, but it also helps them to develop their understanding of organic compound behavior and physical properties of matter.
One key concept we explore in this class is the melting points of organic compounds. This lesson can easily fit within a chemistry unit on covalent compounds or intermolecular forces—it’s also a valuable lesson to include in AP chemistry courses when covering the properties of substances and mixtures (Unit 3). Investigating this physical property can help students understand how materials are characterized by measurable properties, how molecular forces influence those properties, and why materials with different properties are better suited to different practical uses. In particular, melting points are useful for making predictions about the purity of a substance and about the identification of an unknown compound.
Three Light and Wave Physics Investigations with the Go Direct Light and Color Sensor
Ever wonder why car headlights look dim from a distance but shine bright up close? Or how your sunglasses can block out glaring light? These are just a few of the real-world phenomena your students can explore with the Go Direct® Light and Color Sensor. Combining multiple sensors to measure light intensity across the visible and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, this versatile tool can be used in a wide range of science applications. We’re highlighting three hands-on experiments that invite students to investigate real-world phenomena and explore the physics behind light and waves.
Three Picture Perfect Experiments to Celebrate National Chemistry Week
Get ready for National Chemistry Week with Vernier! This year, the American Chemical Society (ACS) is celebrating the chemistry behind photography and imaging. From traditional film cameras to cutting-edge medical imaging technologies, chemistry plays a critical role in capturing, creating, and revealing the visuals that shape how we experience the world.
From Summer Science Camps to Teacher Training: Dr. Ann Nalley Shares Why Vernier Technology Is the Future of STEM Education
Dr. Ann Nalley, a chemistry professor at Cameron University in Oklahoma and former president of the American Chemical Society (ACS), has dedicated her career to empowering both students and teachers through hands-on science education. With more than 50 years of experience teaching freshman and organic chemistry, leading summer academies for K–12 students, and training teachers at the university and through workshops, she has become a passionate advocate for integrating Vernier technology into classrooms and labs.
Three Mechanics Investigations with the Go Direct Motion Detector
There are many ways to measure motion in your physics classes, from the classic meter stick and stopwatch method to photogates and sensor carts. But the Go Direct® Motion Detector is one of the most versatile, engaging tools you can leverage in your classroom. This sensor measures the position of moving objects by sending out an ultrasonic pulse (a sound wave at a frequency beyond human hearing) and using the echo from its target to calculate velocity and acceleration data.
Investigating Aquatic Life: A Ready-to-Use Experiment on Dissolved Oxygen
From supporting aquatic life to maintaining a balanced ecosystem, dissolved oxygen (DO) is a critical component of a healthy aquatic environment—whether it is an ocean, river, pond, or local watershed. To help students understand exactly what DO is and how it impacts waterways, you can incorporate a hands-on experiment into your biology or environmental science lessons. This can help students meaningfully connect what they are learning with the world around them.
Four Laws, One Sensor: Introducing Students to Gas Laws Using the Go Direct Gas Pressure Sensor
Understanding how gases behave under different conditions is not just crucial for chemistry class—it is knowledge that applies to many real-world situations, from predicting weather patterns to optimizing car engines. As the new school year begins, it’s the perfect time to introduce students to—or refresh their understanding of—the four fundamental gas laws: Boyle's law, Gay‑Lussac's law, Charles' law, and Avogadro's law. Teaching about these laws not only helps students understand the relationship among gases’ different properties, but also helps them develop the fundamental knowledge needed to progress into more advanced chemistry concepts, such as thermodynamics and kinetics, later in the school year.
Why Isn’t There Dead Stuff Everywhere?! Exploring the Nature of Decomposition with a CO2 Gas Investigation
All species in an ecosystem, from critters on the forest floor to lions in the Serengeti, are directly or indirectly nourished by “dead stuff.” This organic matter, whether fallen leaves, rotting fruit, or decomposing organisms, is a crucial part of the continuous cycle of matter and energy flow in an ecosystem. While much attention is usually given to producers and consumers, an often ignored part of the food web—decomposers—play an equally vital role. These organisms break down dead matter, releasing carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) and other nutrients back into the environment. With the Go Direct® CO2 Gas Sensor, students can observe this process in real-time, gaining a deeper understanding of the carbon cycle and the importance of decomposition.
Where Math Meets Science: Connecting Vernier Go Direct Sensors and TI-Nspire Technology
Looking for ways to make math more accessible to your students? Help them build confidence in math and science concepts by using real-time data collection! When students are tasked with exploring real-world phenomena, math transforms from an abstract, intimidating concept into a practical tool that students can use to develop and articulate answers to questions like, “Why are headlights on a car dimmer at a distance?” or “Why do I feel warmer wearing a black shirt on a sunny day?”
With enhanced compatibility between Vernier and Texas Instruments, students can now explore math in tangible, real-world scenarios by wirelessly capturing and analyzing real-time data on their TI-Nspire™ CX II graphing calculators. By integrating math and science, educators can enrich student comprehension, deepen their understanding of the natural world, and prepare students for careers in STEM.
How to Introduce Your Students to Data-Collection Basics
Whether studying CO2 changes during photosynthesis or investigating the conservation of momentum during a collision, students need to be able to do more than just plot points on a graph—they need to understand the story that a graph tells. One incredibly effective way to develop this kind of data literacy is to incorporate data-collection technology and investigations into your instruction. Real-time data collection not only helps students build stronger connections between abstract scientific concepts and the real world but also helps students transform raw data into meaningful insights through tabulation, graphs, visualization, and statistical analysis.
Choosing the Right pH Sensor for Your Classroom or Lab
From testing household acids and bases to evaluating soil and water quality for agriculture, measuring and interpreting pH data is an essential skill across scientific disciplines and education levels. Our pH sensors all offer similar accuracy, response time, and sensitivity. So, which one should you buy? It depends on how and where you plan to use your pH sensor. Follow these guidelines to help you choose the right tool for your specific lab or classroom needs.
Engaging Students with Summer Learning Activities: Data Collection in the Field
Looking for ideas to take learning outside this summer? Whether you’re involved in education through schools, museums, non-profits, or community programs, engaging learners of all ages in natural settings offers immense benefits, from K–12 through college. Plus, it’s fun! Not just for students, but for educators and program leaders, too. You’ll get to see how students interact with each other in a different location, expose them to authentic natural phenomena, and encourage their scientific curiosity in a grounded, real-world context. Whether you’re planning a summer field trip or exploring nearby natural areas with a scientific eye, here are some ideas and tips to get you started with data collection in the field.
Investigating Ions: Three Chemistry Experiments with the Go Direct Conductivity Probe
Students are often a little shocked to learn that water is actually a poor conductor of electricity. So, why the caution with electronics near water? This is because water can dissolve ionic compounds into individual ions that carry electric charges—electrolytes. Measuring a solution’s conductivity tells us about its ionic content and its electrical conductivity, and investigating this phenomena can help students develop a stronger understanding of the structure and properties of matter and chemical reactions. The Go Direct® Conductivity Probe, with its wide range of 0 to 20,000 μS/cm and alternating current that improves sensor longevity, is an excellent tool for deepening student understanding of many fundamental chemistry concepts, from ionic bonding to chemical titrations. Here are three investigations to help you get started.
Five Trailblazing Female Asian American & Pacific Islander Scientists with Impactful STEM Legacies
May is National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an excellent time to help your students learn about the pivotal contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made to the STEM fields—and continue to make today! As we celebrate their accomplishments, it’s also important to acknowledge the gaps in visibility within these groups, particularly among AAPI women in science. For example, recent studies have shown women in this demographic are notably less likely to be employed in leadership positions in STEM, even when highly educated. This discrepancy also persists in educational resources, where textbooks continue to underrepresent women and people of color in STEM. To help spotlight their considerable academic and scientific research contributions, here are five influential AAPI women whose stories and achievements you can share with your students, as well as a few experiment ideas to connect with their research.
Which Vernier Sensors Should I Use to Explore the Respiratory System?
Understanding the respiratory system is a fundamental component of human physiology that provides students with critical insights into how their bodies function. For educators looking to support their human physiology lessons with technology, Vernier offers a variety of sensor options that can be tailored to different educational needs and budgets. If you’re trying to decide between the Go Direct® Spirometer and the Go Direct Respiration Belt, we’ve highlighted their distinct features and advantages to help you select the right tool for engaging your students in effective respiratory system studies.
Introducing Jill Hedrick: A Q&A with the New CEO of Vernier Science Education
Vernier Science Education is proud to introduce our new CEO, Jill Hedrick! Jill is a passionate leader focused on the intersection of technology and social impact. Joining Vernier shortly after our transition to a Perpetual Purpose Trust, Jill’s wealth of leadership experience and knowledge will help anchor the company in our core mission and values.
Five Ways Teaching Science with Probeware Promotes 3D Learning
Are you looking for effective ways to integrate three-dimensional learning into your science classroom? Our most recent white paper, Exploring the Data: A Comprehensive Review of Research on Probeware and Three-Dimensional Teaching, explores the latest research that highlights how probeware supports active, student-driven learning.
Probeware can play a pivotal role in creating opportunities for students to make sense of phenomena in the ways envisioned by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and standards aligned to A Framework for K–12 Science Education. Here are five ways probeware, such as Vernier sensors, supports the 3D learning framework.
An Experiment to Help Students Understand Ocean Acidification through pH
Today’s environmental challenges call for ongoing discussions and hands-on learning opportunities to deepen student understanding and engagement in environmental stewardship. One such activity is to investigate how the burning of fossil fuels not only contributes to climate change, but also leads to changes in environmental chemistry, such as the increase in ocean acidification and subsequent increase in acid rain.
Ready, Set, Science! Get Your Science Game On with These Four Sports‑Themed Experiments
We had such a blast at NSTA Denver 2024 last week! One of our big highlights this year was getting to mix science and sports with fun, athletics-inspired activities. Below we’re sharing four of our favorite sports-themed experiments you can try out to elevate your classroom game!
Exploring the Antarctic with Vernier: A Physics Teacher's Expedition to Inspire Classroom Science
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship (GTF) is an experiential professional development opportunity offered through the National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions. This program sends teachers out on expeditions to remote locations to inspire them to inspire their students.
Two Hands-On Motion Investigations with the New Go Direct® Force Plate
Engaging students in physics can be as simple as getting them moving! The Go Direct® Force Plate, our newest physics sensor, invites students to explore the principles of motion through their own actions like jumping, stepping, and pushing. Equipped with wireless capabilities and brand new channels including Hang Time for physics classes, and Jump Height and X- and Y-axis Balance for physiology classes, the Force Plate opens up new avenues for creativity and exploration in the classroom. In this blog post, we are sharing two investigations we recommend to help explore physics fundamentals using the Go Direct Force Plate.
7 Tips and Ideas to Make the Eclipse Engaging for Your Students
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible over the United States, starting in Texas. This upcoming eclipse event is an exciting opportunity to incorporate phenomenon-based learning into your instruction and engage your students through inquiry.
Transform Your Chemistry Class into a Forensic Lab with our Newest Lab Book
Looking for a way to make chemistry class more exciting for your students? One approach is to use fictitious crimes to provide real-world learning opportunities at the crossroads of chemistry fundamentals and crime scene analysis.
Eclipse Extravaganza: Bringing Celestial Science to Life for Local and K–12 Communities in Mississippi
It seems like all the celestial bodies were in alignment on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in Oxford, Mississippi, just in time for the much-anticipated annular solar eclipse. Christian Clark, a graduate research fellow at the Center for Math and Science Education (CMSE) at the University of Mississippi and one of the organizers of the Eclipse Extravaganza event, reflects on their good luck.
Exploring Light through Spectroscopy: Two Engaging Experiments for Chemistry Classes
While Beer’s law might be the most common experiment that comes to mind when thinking about spectrometers, spectroscopy is fundamental throughout the first year of chemistry! And because it’s such a powerful tool for teaching chemistry fundamentals, it’s important in nearly every level of chemistry onwards. There are many hands-on activities your students can do with spectrometers, such as the Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer, that illuminate important scientific principles—atomic theory, electron structure, periodic table trends, stoichiometry, mole theory, and more. In this blog post, we are sharing two hands-on spectroscopy experiments that you can use to explore principles of light with your students.
How To Get The Best Data When Measuring Dissolved Oxygen
In biology, ecology, and environmental science classes, accurate measurement of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in water is crucial for understanding aquatic ecosystem health. Collecting precise data is key, and sensors like the Vernier Optical DO Probe or Go Direct® Optical Dissolved Oxygen Probe are specifically designed for the task. However, it can be easy to gather inaccurate or misleading data if careful steps aren’t taken. This blog post shares some of our best practices for collecting precise DO data to ensure meaningful results with your students.
Five Tips for Optimizing Data Collection with Photogates
Photogates, at first glance, are one of our simplest sensors. They can capture incredibly precise snapshots of an object’s motion data utilizing just two LEDs. But despite their relative simplicity, photogates are actually incredibly versatile. They can detect objects in a range of sizes, from a marble to a pickup truck. And with just a brief snapshot, they can measure anything from the swing of a pendulum to the acceleration of a cart on a ramp to the speed of a collision—with the right alignment and precision. Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your experiments using photogates.
TI Graphing Calculators + Vernier Go Direct® Sensors = A Match Made in STEM!
What do science students get when teachers connect Vernier Go Direct® sensors with TI’s Python-capable graphing calculators? An easy-to-use, portable and wireless data collection system that gets them more engaged in their learning!
Choosing the Right Cart and Track System for Your Physics Classroom
The Dynamics Cart and Track System is at the core of every physics lab. These versatile setups equip students with the tools they need to explore fundamentals in kinematics, dynamics, momentum, and energy.
Four Experiments to Celebrate this Year’s National Chemistry Week Theme: The Healing Power of Chemistry
This week, we’re standing alongside the science community in recognizing the extraordinary role that chemistry plays in our health and well-being. Countless breakthroughs owe their success to medical experts and scientists who have drawn inspiration from the healing properties of plants and animals, age-old practices of ancient peoples, and our own bodies’ innate mechanisms to prevent and fight disease as well as heal and restore us to health.
Smashing Squash and Regurgitating Gourds: Eerie Experiments for Your Physics and Chemistry Classes
As we officially move into autumn and begin creeping closer to the spookiest season of the year, it’s the perfect time to add a little bit of pumpkin spice to your science curriculum.
Why You Want an Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) Sensor
An Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) Sensor measures the real-time activity of oxidizers and reducers in a wide range of aqueous solutions, including natural waters, industrial effluents, and biological samples. Also referred to as a redox measurement, ORP is a potentiometric measurement from a two-electrode system similar to a pH sensor. However, unlike a pH sensor, an ORP sensor measures the ratio of oxidized to reduced forms of all chemical species in solution.
Two Amazing Solar Eclipses in the Upcoming School Year
Celestial excitement is on the horizon as we have not one, but two, solar eclipses to look forward to this school year. On October 14, we'll be treated to an annular solar eclipse, which will be visible over the United States, starting in Oregon. Then, mark your calendars for April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will be visible over the United States, starting in Texas.
Exploring Magnetic Fields: Three Hands-On Experiments with the Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor
Looking for fresh ways to engage your students in the study of magnetic fields? Guide your students through the invisible forces that influence our world with the Go Direct 3-Axis Magnetic Field Sensor.
Five Essential Steps to Get Your Lab Ready for the New School Year
Is your STEM lab fully prepared for classes this fall? Taking the time to assess your equipment at the start of the year can prevent future headaches and mitigate expenses down the road. Ensure your lab is science experiment-ready and in optimal working condition with this simple checklist.
Back-to-School Experiments to Kick-Start Your School Year
As we gear up to welcome students back to the classroom, it’s the perfect time to strategically introduce (or reintroduce) the fundamental principles of data collection. No matter the subject, understanding how to collect, analyze, and interpret data is not only key to fostering good inquiry, it’s also a fun way to spark engagement in students as they come back to class from summer break.
We’re sharing our favorite back-to-school science experiments that use some of our most popular sensors, including the Go Direct® Temperature Probe, the Go Direct Conductivity Probe, and the Go Direct Motion Detector. Give these a try to get your students moving, mixing, measuring, and observing in the classroom this fall!
An Experiment to Help You Transform Your Chemistry Class into a Forensic Lab
Want a way to make chemistry class more exciting for your students? One approach is to use make-believe crimes to provide real-world learning opportunities with forensic chemistry experiments.
Three Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of the Go Direct Motion Detector
One of the most versatile ways for students to measure motion—a key scientific concept—is the
Go Direct® Motion Detector.
Supporting GEAR UP Schools with Science and Math Instruction and Technology Implementation: A Q&A with Linda Antinone
Linda Antinone’s overarching goal is simple: help more underrepresented students be successful, especially when it comes to STEM. Linda is an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow, educational specialist, coach, trainer, and author with extensive experience teaching advanced mathematics and science courses in urban high schools, creating STEM education curricula, and developing legislation on education, poverty, science, and technology.
Three Experiments that Highlight How Vernier Graphical Analysis® Pro Can Elevate Physics Learning
Energy, acceleration, and simple harmonic motion are just a few important physics principles for students to learn—and using the Graphical Analysis Pro app with our Go Direct® sensors can help bring these abstract scientific concepts to life.
Harnessing the Power of Solar Energy Exploration with KidWind
Looking for a way to explore solar energy in your class—and promote hands-on science learning at the same time? KidWind, our line of renewable energy products, includes solar panels appropriate for teaching students from K–12 to college.
Everything You Need to Know about Summer Sensor Storage
Proper storage over the summer is key to extending the useful life of your laboratory’s sensors. Before you enjoy your well-deserved summer break, it’s a great idea to take stock of your Vernier probeware and make sure it’s correctly stored for the next few months.
Five Common Household Items You Can Use to Teach Your Students Key Chemistry Concepts
It can be challenging for students to wrap their minds around key chemistry concepts, such as pH, Beer’s law, and gas conversions. You can help demystify these abstract scientific ideas with hands-on learning that incorporates common household items.
Six Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Go Direct® Weather System
Want a way to easily monitor a variety of environmental factors with just one sensor? The Go Direct Weather System gives students the tools to measure ambient temperature, humidity, wind chill, dew point, barometric pressure, and more.
Three Experiments for Exploring Physics with the Go Direct® Force and Acceleration Sensor
Understanding key physics concepts, such as Newton’s laws of motion, gives students a solid foundation for exploring real-world physics applications—and the Go Direct Force and Acceleration Sensor is a great tool for laying that groundwork and building on it.
How to Choose the Right Spectrometer for You
Spectrometers are a great tool for helping your students explore important scientific concepts across a range of biology, chemistry, and physics courses—and Vernier offers a suite of spectrometers that are fast, compact, and easy to use.
Four Experiments to Help Your Students Explore the Science Behind Climate Change
Climate change is a complex, long-term process, so it can be challenging to conduct classroom experiments that show the phenomenon.
Five Ways to Take Physics Learning on the Go with the Go Direct® Acceleration Sensor
With the right tools, your students can explore important physics concepts in the real world—even when they’re traveling.
Determining the Best Light Source for Photosynthesis
One of the fundamental concepts in biology is photosynthesis, the process by which plants use carbon dioxide, light, and water to make their own food. Sunlight contains a broad spectrum of wavelengths, both visible and invisible—but plants use only specific parts of the visible spectrum for photosynthesis.
Getting a Taste for Food Chemistry with Three of Our Favorite Experiments
When you think about tools for teaching chemistry, potato chips, grape Kool-Aid®, and Gatorade® might not be the first things that come to mind. However, these items can be integral to food chemistry experiments—which are a great way to engage high school and college students in hands-on science learning with real-world applications.
Answers to the Top Three Questions about the Go Direct® EKG Sensor
If you’ve been teaching human physiology for a long time, it’s likely that you have had to use traditional electrocardiogram (EKG) sensors, which often involve an assortment of switches and knobs that require manual adjustment.
Hands-On Teaching Strategies to Help Students Understand the Physics Behind Electricity and Sound
Let me begin with a confession: I majored in chemical engineering, not physics. In addition, when I was in college, calculus-based physics and electrical fundamentals courses were used to weed out would-be engineering majors.
Celebrating Darwin Day with Vernier Technology
Looking for an innovative way to teach your students about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution? Comparative physiology experiments are a great approach to explore this central concept in biology.
Answers to the Top Five Questions about pH Sensor Care
Whether you teach college chemistry, high school biology, or middle school science, a pH sensor is a great tool to help your students explore the fundamental scientific concept of pH.
Five Tips for Collecting High-Quality Video to Analyze in Vernier Video Analysis®
Motion is an important concept that can be challenging for students to comprehend. However, Vernier Video Analysis makes studying motion easy and accessible.
Sustainability-Focused Projects Provide Engineering and Manufacturing Students with Skills for Postsecondary Success
Roosevelt Community Education Center, an alternative high school in Rockford, Illinois, provides a nontraditional learning environment with unique educational opportunities for students at the secondary level, as well as students 21 and older who are enrolled in the adult education program.
Three Steps to Help You Prepare to Write a Successful Grant Proposal to Fund Your STEM Learning Projects
Applying for a grant to fund your STEM education initiatives might feel daunting. However, this process doesn’t have to be overly complicated or time-consuming—and if you’re successful, it can be a huge benefit for your students and your school.
Unlock Scientific Innovation with These College Experiments
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
Bring Biology Concepts to Life with the Go Direct® CO₂ and O₂ Gas Sensors
In biology courses, students tend to learn about big-picture concepts that can be difficult to comprehend, such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and cellular metabolism.
Using KidWind to Teach First-Year College Students How to Think Like an Engineer
At the University at Buffalo, the introductory first-year engineering course consists of about 600 students—and the amount of academic preparation and experience, as well as the specific engineering degree program each student wants to pursue (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical), can vary widely. To create a single project that worked for each student, William Wild, director of the engineering first-year experience, and his colleagues found the perfect solution with KidWind.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
Cultivating Skills for Environmental Science Careers through Place-Based Learning and Vernier Technology
Environmental Sampling and Instrumentation is an innovative science course offered at Northern New Mexico College that is helping students develop career-readiness skills through the use of Vernier technology. The class has also been the catalyst for a unique collaboration with the Pueblo of Santa Clara, a federally recognized tribe.
Getting Students Involved and Invested in Their Own Learning with User-Friendly Vernier Technology: A Q&A with Alexandra Boyd
Alexandra Boyd teaches AP Physics at Apex Friendship High School in Apex, North Carolina. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We sat down with Boyd to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Versatile Go Direct® Light and Color Sensor Helps Illuminate Concepts Across the Science Curriculum
Good things come in small packages—including the Go Direct Light and Color Sensor.
Using Stirling Engines and Vernier Technology for Hands-On Physics Investigations
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in August 2021.
Five Research-Based Best Practices for STEM Education
The quest for high-quality STEM education starts with having a solid foundation grounded in research. But what exactly does the research say about high-quality STEM education?
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
Students Making a Meaningful Impact with Chemistry Fieldwork in a Community Garden: A Q&A with Dr. Estelle Lebeau
Dr. Estelle Lebeau is a professor of chemistry at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2020, she won a Vernier/NSTA Technology Award, which included $3,000 in Vernier technology. We recently sat down with Lebeau to discuss the impact of the award on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Python® and LabQuest®: Opening Up Opportunities for STEM Educators and Students
When you think about ways to teach science, coding might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
“Be the Spark that Makes All the Difference”: Addressing Barriers to Latino Representation in STEM
The mission of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is to “change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development.” We recently sat down with the organization’s chief research and innovation officer, Dr. Kimberly Douglas, to discuss the current state of—and actions being taken to increase—Latino representation in STEM. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Using Vernier Technology to Learn about Water Quality and Promote Partnerships: A Q&A with Varun Paul, PhD
Varun Paul, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University. Last year, he won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We sat down with Paul to discuss the impact of the grant on him and his students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Ramp Up Physics Learning Using Our Dynamics Cart and Track System with the Go Direct® Sensor Cart
Get all the equipment you need to teach dynamics and kinematics using our Dynamics Cart and Track System with the Go Direct Sensor Cart. This wireless system simplifies experiment setup and allows basic physics experiments to be conducted with or without the track.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
Using Vernier Technology to Ensure Students Get the Best Possible Laboratory Experience: A Q&A with Arianna Demmerly
Arianna Demmerly, PhD, is the laboratory coordinator for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We recently sat down with Demmerly to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses.
All three of this month’s experiments were featured in or inspired by recent Vernier webinars. Our webinars are a great way to see our experienced educational technology specialists demonstrate Vernier experiments, answer your top questions, and provide tips about using our products to engage your students. Visit our website to check out webinar recordings and register for upcoming webinars.KidWind: Renewable Energy Meets Hands-On Science Learning for Students of All Ages
Whether you are a K–12 or college educator, KidWind offers a versatile, affordable way to teach the science of renewable energy—and that’s just the start.
Science Education Innovation: Analyzing Sunscreens with Data-Collection Technology
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in March 2020.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses.
All three of this month’s featured experiments involve our spectrometers. To further explore the use of spectrometers, check out our Illuminate Spectroscopy webinar.
Spotlight on Our Go Direct® Spectrometers
Fast. Compact. Easy to use.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Boost Pressure Measurement with Our New Go Direct® Wide-Range Pressure Sensor
At Vernier, we value educators’ feedback and ideas. So, when college chemistry instructors told us they were looking for a high-end gas pressure sensor for their upper-level courses, we created the Go Direct Wide-Range Pressure Sensor.
Spark Scientific Curiosity with These Award-Winning Apps
To help educators reignite students’ love of learning science this spring, Vernier is providing
Science Education Innovation: Elevating College Chemistry with Cows, Kombucha, and Data Collection
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in July 2021.
Dr. Jerry Easdon is a proponent of using inquiry-based, hands-on experiments to reinforce key concepts in his General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry courses at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.
How Colleges and Universities Can Prepare Students for Careers That Don’t Exist Yet
App developer. Drone operator. Cloud computing specialist. These were some of the careers listed in a 2016 report from the World Economic Forum titled “10 Jobs that Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago.”
Science Education Innovation: Taking Human Anatomy and Physiology Labs Online
We’re always excited when educators share the ways they use Vernier products in their science courses—and we’re always so impressed by their ingenuity. We will be showcasing at least one example of science education innovation in each edition of The Caliper.
Featured College Experiments: March 2022
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Exploring the STEM Career Cluster
Career and technical education (CTE) “provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners,” according to the national nonprofit Advance CTE.
Career and Technical Education: A Strategy for Setting All Students Up for STEM Success
Time waits for no one when it comes to workforce readiness. Put another way, it is critical to equip today’s students with the skills they will need for tomorrow’s careers, especially in STEM fields.
Infusing Native Culture into STEM and More: Spotlight on the Paris Gibson Education Center
The garden at the Paris Gibson Education Center, an alternative high school in Great Falls, Montana, is much more than a spot where plants grow.
The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program: Developing Leaders
What if there were a way to set students up for STEM success starting in kindergarten and going all the way through graduate school?
How One Nonprofit is Increasing Indigenous Representation in STEM
A lack of diversity persists in the higher education pipeline for STEM jobs, especially in fields like computing and engineering, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center.
Classroom Resources for Examining the Impacts of Climate Change
Teaching students about climate change can be challenging; it’s a broad, interdisciplinary topic, and it’s not always part of an established curriculum. However, teaching students about the impact of climate change can be relatively simple.
Three Must-Watch Videos about Climate Change
Although climate change is a complex topic, many free videos and documentaries are available to help educators teach students about climate change and how it impacts their everyday lives.
Going Green at the University of Washington
Today’s college students are highly engaged, equipped with new digital technologies, and committed to tackling the world’s biggest challenges—including climate change. These digital natives, social media experts, tinkerers, creators, and activists are organizing student-led programs to encourage sustainable behaviors across college campuses. One such program is EcoReps at the Seattle campus of the University of Washington (UW).
A Wake-Up Call and a Learning Opportunity: Teaching Students About the UN Climate Change Report
In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (a body of the United Nations) released a report that the UN secretary-general described as “a code red for humanity.”
Empowering Ideas for Engaging Latinx Students in STEM
Boosting STEM exposure, opportunities, and engagement all go a long way in creating STEM-literate students and supporting the next generation of Latinx STEM leaders. But, outside of the classroom or lab, where can students go to receive STEM support? And where can they learn more about potential careers and research environments they could pursue in the field?
Supporting Educator Diversity in Today’s Classrooms: Three Teacher Preparation Programs to Check Out
With young Latinx learners representing a large percentage of the student population, more Latinx educators are needed in today’s classrooms. The Latinx student population is expected to continue to grow, and “research shows that schools and districts with teachers that reflect the cultural, racial, and/or linguistic backgrounds of Latinx students are better equipped to support them,” according to the education policy report Paving the Way for Latinx Teachers: Recruitment and Preparation to Promote Educator Diversity from New America.
Celebrating Latinx Scientists and Their Work: Resources for Your Classroom
National Hispanic Heritage Month offers a great opportunity for students to learn about the many Latinx contributions to STEM.
Breaking Down Barriers for Remote Learning
When the global pandemic forced the closure of college science departments across the nation, Dr. Kari van Zee, Dr. Ryan Mehl, Dr. Rick Cooley, and graduate student Phil Zhu—department faculty and research members at Oregon State University—had to think fast. They were faced with the unprecedented challenge of changing their hands-on senior-level research methods course so it could support remote and hybrid models of learning.
A Call to Action for Science Education
A Call to Action for Science Education, a comprehensive report published by the National Academies of Sciences, outlines the need for equitable access to quality science learning experiences that help enable students to develop the deep scientific literacy skills and understanding they need for personal and professional success.
A Guide to Choosing the Right Edtech Partner
Based on the sheer amount of marketing emails and sales calls received on a weekly—or even daily—basis, district leaders can surely attest to the seemingly countless number of technologies on the market today. But just how big is the edtech industry?
Exploring Ocean Acidification Easily and Affordably
Climate change is the cause of a number of devastating consequences facing our planet. However, one often overlooked problem keeping the environmental science community busy right now is ocean acidification.
Vernier Graphical Analysis Pro Named a 2021 Best Tool for Remote and Blended Learning
Our newly enhanced Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro app was recently named a 2021 Best Tool for Remote and Blended Learning by Tech & Learning! It was recognized in both the secondary and higher education categories of this new awards program, which highlights standout technology solutions that have boosted student engagement and remote collaboration over the past year.
Three Ways to Enliven Remote Learning with Vernier Graphical Analysis Pro
Since COVID-19 cases remain stubbornly high across the country, it’s clear that remote learning isn’t going away. And while this teaching concept isn’t new anymore, many STEM educators are still struggling to beat video conference fatigue and keep students engaged in the remote classroom. For science teachers who depend on hands-on experiments to demonstrate scientific concepts, remote learning presents a unique question: how do you remotely teach science in a way that holds students’ attention?
Vernier Video Analysis® Wins Industry-Leading Award
The Vernier Video Analysis app recently won a Tech & Learning Award of Excellence in the software category. The feature-rich app, which helps students learn key physics concepts and engage in video analysis in both in-person and remote learning environments, was recognized with this industry-leading award for its impact on student learning.
New Go Direct® Mini GC™ Detects Polar and Nonpolar Compounds
It’s been about a decade since we released the Mini GC Gas Chromatograph and educators have loved it. However, with the original version, only polar compounds such as alcohols, esters, and ketones can be injected. With the release of our new Go Direct® Mini GC™, teachers and students can now detect both polar and nonpolar compounds, including alkanes and aromatics.
Engineering Outreach with Vernier Technology
Maija Benitz, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Roger Williams University (RWU), has just deployed 29 upper-level engineering students, along with 57 wind turbine kits, to 11 classrooms to coach 232 fourth graders as they design wind turbine blades from cups, coffee filters, cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, and straws.
2020 Vernier/NSTA Technology Award Winners Announced
Each year, Vernier Software & Technology and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) recognize seven educators—one elementary teacher, two middle school teachers, three high school teachers, and one college-level educator—with a Vernier/NSTA Technology Award for their innovative use of data-collection technology in the science classroom or laboratory.
2020 Winners of the Vernier $5,500 Engineering Grant
Vernier Software & Technology sponsors a contest for educators who innovatively use Vernier products to introduce engineering concepts to their students.
Bring Video Analysis to Your Students in a Dedicated and Streamlined Application
Vernier Video Analysis™, a new member of our family of apps, is available. Right now, you can get a free trial through June and take advantage of our special introductory pricing.
Investigate Plant Pigments and Olive Oil
Absorbance of plant pigments from spinach and cherry
Building a Better Mousetrap – A New Vernier Photogate
We are excited to announce a new sensor for physics—Go Direct Photogate. With our first-ever wireless photogate, you get better-than-stopwatch timing accuracy of a cart traveling eight or more meters without having to run wires between the gates. And that is not even its best feature.
How to Introduce Evolution to Your Students
Darwin Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 12th. It presents an excellent opportunity to introduce or discuss the concept of evolution by natural selection with your students. While I’m now part of the Vernier Biology Department, I previously worked for 15 years as a university biology professor and know first hand how creative teachers have to get when introducing new concepts to a classroom of students. There are plenty of ways to get students excited about evolution, and here are a few ideas.
When Will I Use Forensic Chemistry in Real Life?
It might be difficult for a student to see where absorbance spectroscopy and Beer’s law could be useful to a chemist. But, what if the technique is used to analyze poisoned wine from a crime scene? This definitely piqued the interest of my students.
Go Direct® Sound Featured on NSTA Recommends
Martin Horejsi, from NSTA Recommends, has collected data with Go Direct Sound just about everywhere on campus. In his review, “The Vernier Go Direct Sound Sensor: See Sounds in a New Light (Bluetooth),” Martin discusses the importance of sound safety, provides a brief history of the decibel, and details various investigations using Go Direct Sound.
Join 100 Million Students in Hour of Code
“Computer science empowers students to create the world of tomorrow.”
- Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO
Demystifying Ion-Selective Electrodes
A much easier and more reliable method to measure the concentrations of specific ions is to use ion-selective electrodes (ISE). Vernier offers these five options: ammonium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, and potassium. By adhering to a few best practices, students can consistently get good data with our ISE. These are a few common questions that customers have about ion-selective electrodes.
Tips for Better Fluorescence Data
Fluorescence spectroscopy is a very sensitive and delicate technique. It often requires a few attempts before getting great data. In our chemistry department, we have come across a few common problems and would like to share some solutions that fix or avoid them.
The Centripetal Force Apparatus Goes Wireless
The new Go Direct® Centripetal Force Apparatus makes it easier than ever to investigate rotational dynamics. Students can investigate the relationships among force, mass, and radius wirelessly—all you need is the Go Direct Centripetal Force Apparatus, a Go Direct Force and Acceleration Sensor, and a device running our free Graphical Analysis™ 4 app. No additional interface is needed.
What Are the Best Light Sources For Photosynthesis?
Photosynthetic organisms such as plants and algae use electromagnetic radiation from the visible spectrum to drive the synthesis of sugar molecules. Special pigments in chloroplasts of plant cells absorb the energy of certain wavelengths of light, causing a molecular chain reaction known as the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The best wavelengths of visible light for photosynthesis fall within the blue range (425–450 nm) and red range (600–700 nm). Therefore, the best light sources for photosynthesis should ideally emit light in the blue and red ranges. In this study, we used a Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer with a Vernier Spectrophotometer Optical Fiber and LabQuest 2 to collect spectra from four different light sources. This allowed us to determine the wavelengths emitted by each source and to get an idea of their relative intensities.
Flash Photolysis 101
Flash photolysis spectroscopy is a type of time-resolved absorbance spectroscopy that helps students investigate chemical reaction order as well as the basics of photochemistry. This technique was so groundbreaking that the 1969 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to the scientists who developed it. The Vernier Flash Photolysis Spectrometer is an affordable option available to instructors to help students get hands-on experience with this important technique.
Quantifying Sources of Systematic Error in Video Analysis Experiments
Video analysis experiments have strong potential to reinforce student learning and build intuition; however, in the intro physics lab, students often find experimental values that are substantially different from the expected results (e.g., a curve-fit derived value for g of 11.59±0.02 m/s2 for a tossed golf ball). Despite giving students specific instructions for setting up video equipment, we frequently see poor experimental results. This suggests that small variations in the experimental setup produce significant systematic errors.
Tips and Tricks for Success with Inquiry‑Based Enzyme Activities
Understanding enzyme action is a fundamental concept in biology. The “Testing Catalase Activity” investigation in our Investigating Biology through Inquiry book is a very popular activity for investigating enzyme action. Our O2 Gas Sensor and Gas Pressure Sensor can be used in this activity along with some very simple materials, such as yeast and hydrogen peroxide.
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