NSTA/Vernier Technology Award

At the recent NSTA National Convention in Boston, Christine and David Vernier presented the Vernier/NSTA Technology Award to the 2008 awardees. The award, co-sponsored by Vernier and NSTA, is part of the NSTA Teacher Award Program.

Each year, educators are recognized for their planned or current innovative use of data-collection technology. Seven awards are available: one elementary, two middle level, three high school, and one college level. The awards, each valued at $3000: include $1000 in cash, $1000 in Vernier Technology, and up to $1000 in expenses for attending the NSTA Convention.

Below are brief synopses of the 2008 award-winning entries.

Elementary Level (Grades K – 5)

Allison Needham, Watkins Elementary School, Midlothian, VA

Allison plans to enhance the Children's Engineering and Design Technology activity on sound using data-collection technology.

Middle Schol Level (Grades 6 – 8)

Mary Cook, Roosevelt Middle School, Glendale, CA

Mary plans to use Vernier technology to improve students motivation and interest in STEM education topics.

High Schol Level (Grades 9 – 12)

Steve Ahn, Watauga High School, Boone, NC

Steve will have his students use various sensors to create a digital field guide comparing environmental conditions at locations around the school.

Rebecca Morrison, Runnels High School, Baton Rouge, LA

Rebecca will have her students produce instructional videos on physics activities that can be done at an amusement park.

Danielle Spaete, Pleasent Valley High School, Bettendorf, IA

Danielle will have her students analyze sounds from various instruments and use the information to program a synthesizer to recreate the sound characteristics of that instrument.

College Level

Dr. Irina Lyublinskaya, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY

Irina created a set of inquiry-based lab activities that integrate data collection technology into the elementary science and math curriculum.

Detailed descriptions of these projects can be found at www.vernier.com/nstaawards

2009 Entries

It's not too early to start thinking about your 2009 entry. www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html