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Celebrating Brain Awareness Week (March 11-17th)
Now that neuroscience is a topic covered in one of the “big ideas” in the new AP Biology curriculum, many teachers have been asking how Vernier sensors can be used to teach concepts related to neuroscience.
For more information about Brain Awareness Week, visit the Society For Neuroscience web site.
Free, downloadable neurology slide images are available to introduce Brain Awareness Week to your class. Thanks to Dr. John Melville for the images. Download the slides
Activities related to neuroscience are listed below:
Innovative Uses
- Investigate Your Sense of Balance Using a Force Plate
- Studying the Diving Reflex in the Laboratory
- Record Electric Signals from an Electric Fish!
STEM Extensions
Human Physiology with Vernier
- EMG and Muscle Fatigue
- Introduction to EMG
- Neuromuscular Reflexes (with Accelerometer)
- Neuromuscular Reflexes (without Accelerometer)
- Heart Rate Response to Baroreceptor Feedback
Advanced Biology with Vernier
Biology with Vernier
Investigating Biology through Inquiry
Celebrate Darwin’s Birthday with Evolution Labs
Now that evolution is one of the “big ideas” in the new AP Biology curriculum, many teachers have been asking how our sensors can be used to teach concepts in evolution.
With this in mind, our Biology staff scientist, John Melville, developed several innovative ways to investigate evolution using Vernier products for Darwin’s birthday on February 12th. All of these investigations can be found in our Investigating Biology through Inquiry lab book.
Evolution-related Activities from Investigating Biology through Inquiry
Video Analysis and Muscle Physiology
Our biology staff scientist, John Melville, has been working with our new LabQuest Mini and has found a way to integrate video analysis into a simple muscle physiology experiment. EKG sensors are attached to the bicep and forearm muscles to record muscle activity. A Low-g Accelerometer is then attached to the wrist to measure joint angle. The video capture feature in Logger Pro is then used to synchronize video from a DV camera and the physiological data from the LabQuest Mini. The subject is filmed performing a simple bicep curl. Students can then clearly see that muscle activity precedes movement of the arm and that the forearm muscle activity precedes activation of the bicep.
Use the SpectroVis Plus to Explore Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Fluorescent molecules are compounds that absorb light of one wavelength, then re-emit light at a longer wavelength. This emitted light can be quantified using fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular and cellular biologists use fluorescent compounds to label proteins, gels, and even cellular organelles. In many ways, fluorescent compounds have revolutionized research in the life sciences.
Continue reading Use the SpectroVis Plus to Explore Fluorescence Spectroscopy…
Record Electric Signals from an Electric Fish!
With its increased frequency response and external grounding pin, our new and improved Instrumentation Amplifier can now be used to record the electric signal from an electric fish with four easy steps.
Continue reading Record Electric Signals from an Electric Fish!
SpectroVis Plus
Vernier has updated its popular spectrometer with improved features:
- Improved range: 380-950 nm (VIS-NIR)
- 1 nm between reported values
- Improved optical resolution (~2.5 nm)
- New support for fluorescence
Available March 2010
Tris-Compatible Flat pH Sensor
This double-junction pH sensor is compatible with Tris buffers and solutions containing proteins. The flat shape is also useful for food and soil pH measurements.
Available February 2010
White Digital Bioimaging System
The White Digital Bioimaging System allows you to view non-fluorescent, visible stain gels, capture the image digitally on a computer and analyze the data using Logger Pro software, making gel analysis less tedious and produce better results.
Forestry Survey using a Vernier GPS
In late October 2005, employees from Vernier participated in a tree planting event in conjunction with the organization Friends of Trees. We planted 200 trees in the wetlands area surrounding nearby Beaverton Creek. As part of the 2009 Earth Day activities, David Vernier and Jim McBride checked on the trees. They used a LabQuest and our Vernier GPS Sensor to note the position and type of each surviving tree.
Vernier Used Around the GLOBE
Is the heat given off by 500 people enough to change the temperature inside a large auditorium? How does the temperature and salinity of a tide pool compare to that of the nearby ocean water? These were just two of the questions posed to about 250 students from 52 countries who gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, this summer for the GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE). And of course, Vernier equipment was used to investigate the answers to those questions.