Beaverton-based company marks milestone by launching $40,000 grant program for STEM educators, partnering with Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and more

Beaverton-based Vernier Software & Technology is celebrating 40 years of service to the local community and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educators worldwide.

Founded by Co-Presidents David and Christine Vernier, the company started as a two-person operation in 1981, and it has grown tremendously over the last four decades. Today, Vernier is an award-winning employer to more than 100 employees, a respected community partner, and a notable philanthropic organization in the state.

“Throughout our last 40 years, the Beaverton and greater Portland communities have been such an integral part of our identity—this is where our amazing team comes together to create our innovative solutions to support STEM educators worldwide. And without STEM educators changing the way students learn science by using Vernier products, we would not be where we are today,” said John Wheeler, CEO of Vernier Software & Technology. “Now, in celebration of this milestone anniversary, we wanted to say ‘thank you’ to educators and our community as we continue to work to support innovative and equitable STEM education for all.”

As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, Vernier will be giving back to educators in various ways. The company is launching a grant program to recognize 40 educators, partnering with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to support low-income schools, and offering a free e-book to support innovative, hands-on science learning in classrooms.

Through the new grant program, 40 STEM educators will each receive $1,000 worth of Vernier technology of their choosing, an annual license for a Vernier Graphical Analysis™ Pro subscription, and virtual professional development to further support their teaching. The grant is open to all educators who are actively teaching in an educational institution in the United States. Applications are due Nov. 5. To apply, educators must complete a form detailing, in part, how they will implement the $1,000 worth of Vernier technology in their classroom, laboratory, or program, as well as how the funding will enhance their instruction and engage students.

Through its partnership with OMSI, Vernier will help support STEM learning in low-income schools in the region. This work will include delivering in-person and virtual programming at 40 Title I schools in the Portland area as part of OMSI’s outreach education programming, which brings the best the museum has to offer to classrooms. Students launch handmade rockets with a high-powered air compressor in 3-2-1 Blast Off, burn calories to measure the energy content of foods in caloric chemistry, and use hands-on science and forensic techniques to extract DNA to examine their fingerprints in Identity. The virtual programming eliminates geographic barriers and adapts classroom experiments in animal physiology, biochemistry, and physics.

“Vernier is a longtime partner in the promotion of science education, and we are delighted that they have selected OMSI to help provide essential and equitable STEM learning opportunities to students throughout the Portland area who need it most,” said Erin Graham, president and CEO of OMSI. “Vernier Software & Technology’s commitment to encouraging innovative thinking and scientific curiosity have been hallmarks of the company throughout its 40-year history, and we are thrilled to collaborate with them on this vital community initiative.”

In addition to the grant program and partnership with OMSI, Vernier is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a free downloadable e-book. The Vernier Experiment Sampler will be available to educators to help engage students in hands-on, technology-enabled learning. It features 21 of Vernier Software & Technology’s most popular data-collection experiments, including “Reflectivity of Light,” “Mapping a Magnetic Field,” “Enzyme Action,” and “Accelerations in the Real World.”

To learn more about Vernier Software & Technology’s 40th-anniversary initiatives, visit www.vernier.com/40years. To learn more about the company’s history, partnerships, and achievements, visit www.vernier.com/about-us.

About Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier Software & Technology has led the innovation of educational, scientific data-collection technology for 40 years. Vernier was founded by a former physics teacher and employs educators at all levels of the organization. The company is committed to teachers and to developing creative ways to teach and learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using hands-on science. Vernier creates easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. With worldwide distribution to over 150 countries, Vernier data loggers are used by educators and students from elementary school to university. Vernier technology-based solutions enhance STEM education, increase learning, build students’ critical thinking skills, and support the science and engineering practices detailed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Vernier business culture is grounded in Earth-friendly policies and practices, and the company provides a family-friendly workplace. For more information, visit http://www.vernier.com.