Celebrate Earth Day with Vernier Happy Earth Day! Like many of you, we at Vernier are participating in Earth Day activities. These include biking and busing to work, cleaning up our neighboring wetlands, participating in an employee swap of CDs and videos, and collecting old sneakers for recycling. Once you have finished your Earth Day celebration, take a few minutes to read this newsletter, where you will find some interesting innovative uses, professional development opportunities, and much more. 1. Investigating the Solar Energy Production at Vernier 2. Spectral Analysis of Fireflies 3. Measuring a Motor's Rotational Speed 4. Have We Got a Deal for You! 5. Recycle by Reusing 6. LabQuest Stands 7. Physics Training with P. Laws, D. Sokoloff, and R. Thornton 8. Summer Professional Development from Vernier 1. Investigating the Solar Energy Production at Vernier Having an eco-friendly business is important to Vernier. Towards that end, we have recently completed a two-phase project to add solar panels to our building to help reduce our carbon footprint. But we wouldn't be Vernier if we didn't turn our project into a learning opportunity for you and your students. You can download the background information, complete with data and sample questions. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/solar/ 2. Spectral Analysis of Fireflies You know summer has arrived when the fireflies come out. Last year, Ben Carter, son of Vernier consultant David Carter, did a spectral analysis of the light emitted by a firefly using a Vernier Spectrometer. We were so happy to get Ben's data, because we do not have fireflies in Oregon. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/fireflies/ 3. Measuring a Motor's Rotational Speed Physics teacher Brian Lamore, Chinquapin School, Highlands, Texas, has his students build a simple motor as part of their investigation into electromagnetic induction. To add a little competition, Brian has his students use a Voltage Probe to determine which motor turns the fastest. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/motor-speed/ 4. Have We Got a Deal for You! We have discontinued items and gently used loaner equipment available for purchase at discounted prices. These items all carry our normal warranty and support. Quantities are limited and availability is not guaranteed. Items include LabPros, Garmin eTrex Vista Cx GPS units, and original Motion Detectors, in addition to various sensors. This is a great opportunity for schools with limited budgets. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/overstock/ 5. Recycle by Reusing Here is an Earth-friendly idea: If you have older Vernier equipment that you are no longer using, let other Vernier customers know you would be willing to donate, trade, or sell the equipment. We have lots of customers who use our Discussion Board for this purpose. If you are looking for something specific, you can also post a request to see if another Vernier customer has what you need. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/trade-and-sell/ 6. New LabQuest Stand Even though LabQuest is a great handheld, sometimes you want to set it down while you are using it. The new LabQuest stand (order code LQ-STN, $12) allows you to adjust the LabQuest viewing angle when sitting on a desk or lab table. The stand also lifts the LabQuest off the workspace, keeping it away from spills. (Available late May.) http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/labquest-stand/ 7. Physics Training with P. Laws, D. Sokoloff, and R. Thornton The University of Oregon's Department of Physics is hosting a summer professional development course June 7-9, 2008. The course entitled "Using Research-Based Curricula and Tools to Promote Active Learning in Introductory Courses" includes hands-on activities utilizing Interactive Lecture Demonstration techniques, RealTime Physics labs, Collaborative Problem-Solving Tutorials, Workshop Physics activities, modeling, and video analysis. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/physics-workshop/ Are you conducting a workshop utilizing Vernier technology? Let us know and we will advertise it on our web site for free. Send the details to info@vernier.com. 8. Summer Professional Development from Vernier Do you want to learn to use Vernier data-collection technology directly from the source? We have several opportunities you can take advantage of. These low-cost courses are perfect for all levels of technology users. Science and Math Workshops We are offering 14 one-day, general science and math hands-on workshops at various cities throughout the country. The $99 registration fee includes six hours of training, workshop materials, and lunch. Special workshop training packages allow you to bundle the purchase of Vernier technology along with the training. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/summer-workshops/ AP* Biology, AP* Chemistry and Physics Back by popular demand is our two-day, subject-specific workshops for biology, chemistry, and physics teachers. These workshops give you an in-depth look at using technology as a tool to explore the subject-specific content. The cost is $149 and includes the training, course-appropriate lab manual, and lunch. This year, the workshops will be held in Baltimore, Chicago, and San Diego. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/subject-workshops/ Elementary Science New this summer is our one-day, hands-on Elementary Science Workshop. Explore the use of Vernier data-collection technology in the teaching of elementary science. Two six-hour sessions will be held in the Boston area. The cost is $99 and includes the training, Elementary with Vernier lab book, and lunch. You can even bundle your training with technology and save up to $30. http://www.vernier.com/e-news/2008-04-22/elementary-workshop/ 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. *AP and Advanced Placement Program are registered trademarks of the College Entrance Examinations Board, which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse this product.