NSTA/Vernier Technology Award

The Vernier/NSTA Technology Award is an NSTA Teacher Award Program co-sponsored by Vernier and NSTA. Each year, educators are recognized for their planned or current innovative use of data-collection technology. Seven awards are available—one elementary, two middle school, three high school, and one college level. Each award is valued at over $3,000 and includes $1,000 in cash, $1,000 in Vernier technology, and up to $1,000 in expenses for attending an NSTA convention. The awards are judged by a panel of experts, appointed by NSTA, with recognition given to the top entries in each category.

Christine and David Vernier presented the 2007 awards to the winners at the recent NSTA National Convention in St. Louis. Below are brief synopses of the 2007 award- winning entries. Detailed descriptions of these projects are available on our web site, at www.vernier.com/nstaawards

Elementary Level (Grades K - 5)

"Investigating Seasonal Changes"
Wendy Smith, from Klem Road South Elementary School in Webster, NY, has her students be environmental scientists as they investigate seasonal changes in nearby North Ponds Park.

Middle School Level (Grades 6 - 8)

"Learning Physics at the Ballpark" Michael Breslow, from Belhaven Middle School in Linwood, NJ, takes his physical science students to a local baseball stadium to study physics principles associated with pitching.

"Biotic Indexing and Stream Water Quality" Thomas Eddy, from Green Lake School District in Green Lake, WI, involved his students in a semi-annual monitoring of the several streams in the 55,000+ acre Green Lakes Watershed.

High School Level (Grades 9 - 12)

"In the Footsteps of Galileo: The James River Pumpkin Drop" Timothy Couillard, from James River High School in Midlothian, VA, combines a study of free fall with a pumpkin drop concept to introduce concepts in scientific inquiry.

"A Flashlight without Batteries! How does that Work?" Michael Liebl, from Mount Michael Benedictine School in Elkhorn, NE, motivates experimentation and discussion of energy production, storage, and transfer using the "battery-less" LED flashlight.

"Investigating Pinecroft Natural Area Preserve" Brent Osborn, from North Central High School in Spokane, WA, boosts his students' self-image by having them conduct environmental research studies at the Pinecroft Natural Area Preserve.

College Level

"Implementing Data-Collection Technology at Central Methodist University" James "Tiger" Gordon, from Central Methodist University in Fayette, MO, has implemented data-acquisition technology in courses from General Chemistry to Quantitative Analysis with phenomenal success.

Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant Program

InvenTeams is a national grant initiative sponsored by the Lemelson Foundation and MIT. The goal of the program is to excite high school students about science, math, engineering, entrepreneurship, and invention. Grants of up to $10,000 support each team's efforts. InvenTeams are encouraged to work with community partners, specifically the potential beneficiaries of their invention. Science, mathematics, and technology teachers are invited to apply.

Steve Scannell, physics teacher at Gresham High School, Gresham, OR, is investigating an automatic watering system. Steve's team came up with the idea while visiting our lab last September and experimenting with our Soil Moisture Sensor and Digital Control Unit. The team is using Vernier technology for their prototype, and will build the final project using a microcontroller. Vernier products have been used by several other InvenTeams.

The deadline for submitting an application for the 2007-08 school year is April 27. For more information and an online application, visit http://web.mit.edu/inventeams