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The Caliper
Vernier Helps Study Disappearing Wetlands
 A nutria takes over data collection on a camera break Each year, Dr. Robert Ballard leads a team of scientists and select students and teachers, Argonauts, on a week-long journey to explore research locations featured in the JASON curriculum. In addition, satellite and internet technologies create a telepresence that brings students and teachers in classrooms around the world into real-time contact with these scientists and researchers to model their work. This year’s JASON Expedition traveled to Louisiana to study the wetlands. They worked with host researchers to better understand what wetlands are, why they are disappearing, and how to best manage these ecosystems in Louisiana, around the country, and around the world. Vernier sensors were used with LabPros and TI graphing calculators to measure water quality parameters of salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and more. The ProScope digital USB microscope was also featured as a tool for studying oyster and fish anatomy. Coming up next year—JASON Expedition: Mysteries of Earth and Mars. If you teach middle school or elementary, you should consider joining next year’s expedition! Check it out at www.jason.org.  Dr. Robert Ballard and Student Argonaut Charnele measure the pH and temperature of the water at Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve outside of New Orleans.  Dr. Earl Melancon (Nicholls State University), Teacher Argo Michael Godfrey, and Student Argonaut Colleen study oysters by measuring water quality in Cocodrie, LA.  Dr. Melancon and Student Argo Cathy use a ProScope to show the audience the anatomy of an oyster
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