Energize Your Classroom with Vernier What do K'NEX® roller coasters, food dyes, crayfish, and NASA high-altitude balloons have in common? They are all used in activities featuring Vernier data-collection technology. Read on to find out how you can use Vernier data-collection technology to energize your classroom. 1. Crash Test Dummies 2. Spectral Analysis of Food Dyes 3. Heart Rate of a Crayfish 4. High Altitude Experiment 5. Join the Celebration at NSTA - Anaheim 6. International Language Versions of Vernier Software 7. New Calculator Data-Collection Books from Texas Instruments 8. More than 150 Vernier Workshops planned for 2006 1. Crash Test Dummies David Drummer, physics teacher at Kutztown Area High School in Kutztown, PA, teaches a project-based physics course. One project is to design crash protection for a car using paper and masking tape. David has his students mount a Vernier 25-g Accelerometer in a K'NEX roller coaster car. He then has them roll the car down the coaster and into a brick barrier. Visit our web site to see a picture of the set-up and some sample data http://www.vernier.com/innovate/innovativeuse52.html 2. Spectral Analysis of Food Dyes Vernier's resident chemist, Jack Randall, has been at it again; last time it was bathtub tints and now it's food dye. Jack has used the new Vernier Spectrometer to look at the absorption spectra of aqueous solutions containing food dye over the entire visible spectrum (380 - 950 nm). You won't want to try this one with a traditional spectrophotometer; the Vernier Spectrometer makes this experiment quick and easy. To see Jack's data and download the activity, visit our website at http://www.vernier.com/innovate/innovativeuse53.html 3. Heart Rate of a Crayfish Heidi Anderson, AP Biology Teacher at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, KY, has a unique way to study the physiology of heart rate. Heidi uses a Vernier EKG Sensor connected to wires inserted under the dorsal carapace of a crayfish. Heidi entered this activity in the Vernier/NSTA Technology Award competition and was selected as one of the 2006 winners. For more information on Heidi's project, visit http://www.vernier.com/innovate/innovativeuse54.html Find out more about the Vernier/NSTA technology awards at http://www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html 4. High Altitude Experiment Anna Mika, 7th grade teacher at Cumberland Middle School in Cumberland, WI, got her class involved in research with NASA. Her students designed an experiment to measure the amount of UV radiation protection different clothing material offers. The students were required to pitch the idea to NASA, and NASA agreed to integrate the experiment into a Student Experiment Module Balloon mission. Check out the setup and some data at http://www.vernier.com/innovate/innovativeuse55.html 5. Join the Celebration at NSTA - Anaheim We are kicking off our year-long celebration of Vernier's 25 Years of Data-Collection Innovation. Be sure to stop by our booth and check out what's new from Vernier. And don't forget to attend one of our hands-on or demonstration workshops. With 18 sessions, more than ever before, there is certainly one that's right for you. For a complete list of Vernier workshops and happenings at NSTA - Anaheim, visit our website at http://www.vernier.com/nsta 6. International Language Versions of Vernier Software Did you know that our Logger Pro 3 software for computers and our EasyData Application for the TI-83/84 Plus family of calculators are available in international language versions? Languages include French, German, Spanish, Italian, and more. To update your current version of Logger Pro 3 software and EasyData App to an international version, visit our website. For Logger Pro, visit http://www.vernier.com/tech/lpupdates.html For EasyData, visit http://www.vernier.com/easy/easydata.html 7. New Calculator Data-Collection Books from Texas Instruments Texas Instruments has two new data-collection books for calculator users. "Forensics: Connecting Science Investigations" lets your students solve crimes using TI and Vernier technology. "Modeling Algebraic Functions" enhances your student's understanding of basic algebra concepts through data collection. Both books make use of the Vernier EasyData App and support Vernier Easy products. For sample activities and a complete list of Vernier and TI data-collection books for graphing calculators, visit our web site at http://www.vernier.com/cmat/tib.html For more information on Vernier Easy products for the TI-84 Plus family of calculators at http://www.vernier.com/easy 8. More than 150 Vernier Workshops planned for 2006 We have planned over 150 workshops in more than 100 cities across the U.S. in 2006. Whether you are a beginner, interested in learning how to implement data-collection technology, or an old pro looking for the latest tips, we have something for you. We even have 2-day, subject-specific summer workshops for AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and Physics. To find out more about our workshops and training opportunities, including dates and locations, visit http://www.vernier.com/workshop Special thanks to David Drummer, Heidi Anderson, and Anna Mika for submitting their innovative uses. If you have an innovative use of Vernier technology you would like to share, send your idea to innovativeuses@vernier.com. If we publish your activity in our newsletter, you receive a $100 gift certificate for Vernier technology. Christine Vernier Vernier Software & Technology 13979 SW Millikan Way Beaverton, OR 97005-2886 toll free: (888) 837-6437 phone: (503) 277-2299 fax: (503) 277-2440 info@vernier.com ________________________________________________________ Our relationship with you is very important, and we do not want to send unwanted e-mail. If you do not want to receive occasional e-mails such as this one in the future, reply to this e-mail with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. K'NEX is a registered trademark of K'NEX Industries, Inc. AP is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examinations Board, which was not involved in the creation of and does not endorse these workshops.