A place for insight, inspiration, and experiments.
Determining the Best Light Source for Photosynthesis
One of the fundamental concepts in biology is photosynthesis, the process by which plants use carbon dioxide, light, and water to make their own food. Sunlight contains a broad spectrum of wavelengths, both visible and invisible—but plants use only specific parts of the visible spectrum for photosynthesis.
Getting a Taste for Food Chemistry with Three of Our Favorite Experiments
When you think about tools for teaching chemistry, potato chips, grape Kool-Aid®, and Gatorade® might not be the first things that come to mind. However, these items can be integral to food chemistry experiments—which are a great way to engage high school and college students in hands-on science learning with real-world applications.
Hands-On Physics Learning with Water Rockets, Mousetrap Race Cars, Bridges, and Wind Turbines
All students benefit when they can apply physics principles and concepts by building something. Having that real-world connection can help make physics easier to understand. As an added bonus, it can also increase student engagement.
Giving High School Students Real-World Experience with Modern Agriculture
Over the 30 years that Joel Rudderow has been teaching agricultural science, the agricultural industry has changed a great deal. With advances in everything from machinery to irrigation, the work that farmers do today looks a lot different from what their predecessors did.
Answers to the Top Three Questions about the Go Direct® EKG Sensor
If you’ve been teaching human physiology for a long time, it’s likely that you have had to use traditional electrocardiogram (EKG) sensors, which often involve an assortment of switches and knobs that require manual adjustment.
Hands-On Teaching Strategies to Help Students Understand the Physics Behind Electricity and Sound
Let me begin with a confession: I majored in chemical engineering, not physics. In addition, when I was in college, calculus-based physics and electrical fundamentals courses were used to weed out would-be engineering majors.
Latino STEM Alliance: Sparking Interest in Science Exploration for Underserved Youth with Robotics and Project-Based Learning
Hispanic workers represent just 8 percent of the STEM workforce, according to the Pew Research Center. The Latino STEM Alliance (LSA) seeks to increase that number.
Answers to the Top Five Questions about pH Sensor Care
Whether you teach college chemistry, high school biology, or middle school science, a pH sensor is a great tool to help your students explore the fundamental scientific concept of pH.
Five Tips for Collecting High-Quality Video to Analyze in Vernier Video Analysis®
Motion is an important concept that can be challenging for students to comprehend. However, Vernier Video Analysis makes studying motion easy and accessible.
Sustainability-Focused Projects Provide Engineering and Manufacturing Students with Skills for Postsecondary Success
Roosevelt Community Education Center, an alternative high school in Rockford, Illinois, provides a nontraditional learning environment with unique educational opportunities for students at the secondary level, as well as students 21 and older who are enrolled in the adult education program.
Three Steps to Help You Prepare to Write a Successful Grant Proposal to Fund Your STEM Learning Projects
Applying for a grant to fund your STEM education initiatives might feel daunting. However, this process doesn’t have to be overly complicated or time-consuming—and if you’re successful, it can be a huge benefit for your students and your school.
What’s New at Vernier: November 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, journal and media mentions, and other news.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your classes.
Making Meaning of Chemistry Data in Real Time with Vernier Technology: A Q&A with Morning Pruitt
Morning Pruitt teaches chemistry and physical science at Eudora High School in Eudora, Kansas. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We sat down with Pruitt to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Culturally Responsive STEM Programming: Indigenous Communities and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is dedicated to serving all of Oregon and firmly believes in the importance of culturally responsive STEM education. OMSI is also committed to collaborating with American Indian Tribes and Indigenous communities to co-develop programming that meets their needs and is rooted in their culture and values.
Bring Biology Concepts to Life with the Go Direct® CO2 and O2 Gas Sensors
In biology courses, students tend to learn about big-picture concepts that can be difficult to comprehend, such as cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and cellular metabolism.
Using KidWind to Teach First-Year College Students How to Think Like an Engineer
At the University at Buffalo, the introductory first-year engineering course consists of about 600 students—and the amount of academic preparation and experience, as well as the specific engineering degree program each student wants to pursue (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical), can vary widely. To create a single project that worked for each student, William Wild, director of the engineering first-year experience, and his colleagues found the perfect solution with KidWind.
Getting Students Involved and Invested in Their Own Learning with User-Friendly Vernier Technology: A Q&A with Alexandra Boyd
Alexandra Boyd teaches AP Physics at Apex Friendship High School in Apex, North Carolina. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We sat down with Boyd to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your classes.
Versatile Go Direct® Light and Color Sensor Helps Illuminate Concepts Across the Science Curriculum
Good things come in small packages—including the Go Direct Light and Color Sensor.
Using Stirling Engines and Vernier Technology for Hands-On Physics Investigations
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in August 2021.
What’s New at Vernier: October 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, journal and media mentions, and other news.
Five Research-Based Best Practices for STEM Education
The quest for high-quality STEM education starts with having a solid foundation grounded in research. But what exactly does the research say about high-quality STEM education?
Cultivating Skills for Environmental Science Careers through Place-Based Learning and Vernier Technology
Environmental Sampling and Instrumentation is an innovative science course offered at Northern New Mexico College that is helping students develop career-readiness skills through the use of Vernier technology. The class has also been the catalyst for a unique collaboration with the Pueblo of Santa Clara, a federally recognized tribe.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your classes.
Students Making a Meaningful Impact with Chemistry Fieldwork in a Community Garden: A Q&A with Dr. Estelle Lebeau
Dr. Estelle Lebeau is a professor of chemistry at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2020, she won a Vernier/NSTA Technology Award, which included $3,000 in Vernier technology. We recently sat down with Lebeau to discuss the impact of the award on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Python® and LabQuest®: Opening Up Opportunities for STEM Educators and Students
When you think about ways to teach science, coding might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
Giving Students Hands-On Experience with the Engineering Design Process
What do you get when you take 40 to 60 high school students from across the northeast corner of the Keystone State, add a bunch of basswood, and throw in physics and engineering concepts?
What’s New at Vernier: September 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, academic journal and media mentions, and other news.
“Be the Spark that Makes All the Difference”: Addressing Barriers to Latino Representation in STEM
The mission of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is to “change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development.” We recently sat down with the organization’s chief research and innovation officer, Dr. Kimberly Douglas, to discuss the current state of—and actions being taken to increase—Latino representation in STEM. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Using Vernier Technology to Learn about Water Quality and Promote Partnerships: A Q&A with Varun Paul, PhD
Varun Paul, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University. Last year, he won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We sat down with Paul to discuss the impact of the grant on him and his students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
From Microplastics to Algae Blooms: Analyzing Lake Erie’s Environmental Pollution with Vernier Technology
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in June 2019.
Ramp Up Physics Learning Using Our Dynamics Cart and Track System with the Go Direct® Sensor Cart
Get all the equipment you need to teach dynamics and kinematics using our Dynamics Cart and Track System with the Go Direct Sensor Cart. This wireless system simplifies experiment setup and allows basic physics experiments to be conducted with or without the track.
New Company Name, Same Dedication to Hands-On Science Learning
Exciting news: Vernier Software & Technology is now Vernier Science Education!
What’s New at Vernier: August 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, academic journal and media mentions, and other news.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your courses.
K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can promote STEM literacy and help you integrate data-collection technology into your classes.
Using Vernier Technology to Ensure Students Get the Best Possible Laboratory Experience: A Q&A with Arianna Demmerly
Arianna Demmerly, PhD, is the laboratory coordinator for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We recently sat down with Demmerly to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Standing Out in a Rural District with the Support of Vernier Technology: A Q&A with Amy Hindbaugh-Marr
Amy Hindbaugh-Marr is a science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) teacher for students in kindergarten through sixth grade at Ithaca Public Schools in Ithaca, Michigan. Last year, she won a 40th anniversary educator grant from Vernier, which included $1,000 in Vernier technology. We recently sat down with Hindbaugh-Marr to discuss the impact of the grant on her and her students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Sunshine and STEM: The Advantages of Summer Science Learning Programs
Learning doesn’t have to take a vacation over summer break. In fact, school administrators, the US Department of Education, and groups such as the Harvard Family Research Project agree that K–12 students benefit from year-round learning opportunities.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses.
All three of this month’s experiments were featured in or inspired by recent Vernier webinars. Our webinars are a great way to see our experienced educational technology specialists demonstrate Vernier experiments, answer your top questions, and provide tips about using our products to engage your students. Visit our website to check out webinar recordings and register for upcoming webinars.K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes.
All three of this month’s experiments were featured in or inspired by recent Vernier webinars. Our webinars are a great way to see our experienced educational technology specialists demonstrate Vernier experiments, answer your top questions, and provide tips about using our products to engage your students. Visit our website to check out webinar recordings and register for upcoming webinars.
What’s New at Vernier: July 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, academic journal and media mentions, and other news.
KidWind: Renewable Energy Meets Hands-On Science Learning for Students of All Ages
Whether you are a K–12 or college educator, KidWind offers a versatile, affordable way to teach the science of renewable energy—and that’s just the start.
What’s New at Vernier: May 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, academic journal and media mentions, and other news.
Science Education Innovation: Analyzing Sunscreens with Data-Collection Technology
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in March 2020.
For Educators, By Educators: Creating Content for Vernier Connections™
Educators are at the heart of Vernier. The company was founded by a physics teacher, many of us are former educators, and all of us are dedicated to setting current educators up for success.
STEM Education Innovation: Inspiring Physics Students Through Gaming
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in August 2020.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses.
All three of this month’s featured experiments involve our spectrometers. To further explore the use of spectrometers, check out our Illuminate Spectroscopy webinar.
Spotlight on Our Newest Spectrometers
Fast. Compact. Easy to use.
K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes.
All three of this month’s featured experiments involve our spectrometers. To further explore the use of spectrometers, check out our Illuminate Spectroscopy webinar.What’s New at Vernier: May 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out this roundup of product announcements, upcoming events, academic journal and media mentions, and other news.
STEM Education Innovation: Using Data Collection to Prepare Students for the Agricultural Workforce
Note: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in October 2019.
Technology plays a significant role in making modern agricultural practices more efficient and profitable. Sensors monitor environmental conditions and analyze the soil, robots assist in weed control and during harvest, and drones provide aerial imagery to monitor crop growth.
Science Education Innovation: Elevating College Chemistry with Cows, Kombucha, and Data CollectionNote: A version of this story was originally posted on the Vernier website in July 2021.
Dr. Jerry Easdon is a proponent of using inquiry-based, hands-on experiments to reinforce key concepts in his General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry courses at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.K–12 Experiments of the Month: Elevate Hands-On STEM Learning
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
College Experiments of the Month: Unlock Scientific Innovation
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
What’s New at Vernier: April 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out the newest edition of The Caliper for a roundup of product announcements, academic journal and media mentions, upcoming events, and other news.
Boost Pressure Measurement with Our New Go Direct® Wide-Range Pressure Sensor
At Vernier, we value educators’ feedback and ideas. So, when college chemistry instructors told us they were looking for a high-end gas pressure sensor for their upper-level courses, we created the Go Direct Wide-Range Pressure Sensor.
Spark Scientific Curiosity with These Award-Winning Apps
To help educators reignite students’ love of learning science this spring, Vernier is providing
The Research Behind a Whole-Student Approach to STEM Education
Dr. Ashlie Denton is a senior researcher in equitable learning environments at Education Northwest, an education research nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of a 2021 report titled “The State of STEM Learning.” Dr. Denton’s work includes evaluating research-based best practices for project-based learning and out-of-school-time STEM programming. She recently discussed with Vernier the research basis for a whole-student approach to STEM education. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How Colleges and Universities Can Prepare Students for Careers That Don’t Exist Yet
App developer. Drone operator. Cloud computing specialist. These were some of the careers listed in a 2016 report from the World Economic Forum titled “10 Jobs that Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago.”
STEM Education Innovation: Using Water Rockets and Data-Collection Technology to Teach Physics
We’re always excited when educators share the ways they use Vernier products in their STEM classes—and we’re always so impressed by their ingenuity. We will be showcasing at least one example of STEM education innovation in each edition of The Caliper.
Science Education Innovation: Taking Human Anatomy and Physiology Labs Online
We’re always excited when educators share the ways they use Vernier products in their science courses—and we’re always so impressed by their ingenuity. We will be showcasing at least one example of science education innovation in each edition of The Caliper.
What’s New at Vernier: March 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out the newest edition of The Caliper for a roundup of product announcements, academic journal and media mentions, upcoming events, and other news.
Featured K–12 Experiments: March 2022
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Featured College Experiments: March 2022
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Creating Culturally Representative Science Curricula: A Q&A with Dr. Catherine Quinlan
Dr. Catherine Quinlan is a science education researcher and assistant professor at Howard University, one of the premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States. She recently discussed with Vernier the crucial work of creating culturally representative science curricula for both K–12 and college students. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Three Nonprofits Dedicated to Black Educators’ Development, Retention, and Success
In the United States, more than half of public school students—but only about 20 percent of public school teachers—identify as people of color, according to a recent article in Time magazine. In addition, a 2020 study by Digital Promise found that the turnover rate is higher for teachers of color than white teachers, and it may be increasing.
The GEMS Camp: Empowering Girls of Color to Shine in STEM
With an emphasis on serving middle school and high school students, The GEMS Camp seeks to increase the representation of women of color in science and STEM. This Texas-based nonprofit was founded in 2010, and it offers holistic programming in five areas: academics, career, creativity, leadership, and service. According to its website, “The GEMS Camp is one of the few girl-centric organizations founded and led by a Black female STEM educator.”
What’s New at Vernier: February 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out the newest edition of The Caliper for a roundup of product announcements, academic journal and media mentions, upcoming events, and other news.
Featured K–12 Experiment: "Photosynthesis and Respiration (CO2)"
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Featured College Experiment: "Aerobic Respiration"
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
What’s New at Vernier: January 2022
Want to know the latest goings-on at Vernier? Check out the newest edition of The Caliper for a roundup of product announcements; academic journal and media mentions; upcoming conferences, webinars, and workshops; and other news.
Featured K–12 Experiment: “The Ink is Still Wet”
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your STEM classes. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Featured College Experiment: “Understanding Polarimetry”
Vernier offers more than 1,000 experiments in biology, chemistry, engineering/robotics, and physics that can help you inspire students and integrate data-collection technology into your science courses. We will be featuring at least one of our experiments in each edition of The Caliper.
Exploring the STEM Career Cluster
Career and technical education (CTE) “provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners,” according to the national nonprofit Advance CTE.
Career and Technical Education: A Strategy for Setting All Students Up for STEM Success
Time waits for no one when it comes to workforce readiness. Put another way, it is critical to equip today’s students with the skills they will need for tomorrow’s careers, especially in STEM fields.
The Caliper: A 37-Year Evolution and the Top Stories of 2021
In 1984, mullet haircuts were the rage, Purple Rain topped the Billboard charts, and a loaf of bread cost less than 75 cents. In addition, “just 8 percent of households had a personal computer, the World Wide Web was still five years away, and cellphones were enormous,” according to The Washington Post.
Infusing Native Culture into STEM and More: Spotlight on the Paris Gibson Education Center
The garden at the Paris Gibson Education Center, an alternative high school in Great Falls, Montana, is much more than a spot where plants grow.
How Equitable Broadband Access Supports STEM Learning in Tribal Areas
Reliable and high-speed internet connectivity is a must-have for effective online learning. However, only about 65 percent of the population in rural tribal areas has broadband access, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, compared with 99 percent of the population in urban areas.
What Educators Need to Understand to Fully Support Native Students
Note: Jacqueline Keeler is a Diné/Dakota writer living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in The Nation, NBC News, The New York Times, and many other publications. Keeler has been interviewed on PRI's The World, BBC, MSNBC, and Democracy Now.
The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program: Developing Leaders
What if there were a way to set students up for STEM success starting in kindergarten and going all the way through graduate school?
How One Nonprofit is Increasing Indigenous Representation in STEM
A lack of diversity persists in the higher education pipeline for STEM jobs, especially in fields like computing and engineering, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center.
Classroom Resources for Examining the Impacts of Climate Change
Teaching students about climate change can be challenging; it’s a broad, interdisciplinary topic, and it’s not always part of an established curriculum. However, teaching students about the impact of climate change can be relatively simple.
Place-Based Learning: Fighting Climate Change Where You Live
Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions, but your students don’t have to travel far to learn about ways to fight climate change, such as energy conservation. In fact, students can learn about these topics from their very own homes.
Three Must-Watch Videos about Climate Change
Although climate change is a complex topic, many free videos and documentaries are available to help educators teach students about climate change and how it impacts their everyday lives.
Going Green at the University of Washington
Today’s college students are highly engaged, equipped with new digital technologies, and committed to tackling the world’s biggest challenges—including climate change. These digital natives, social media experts, tinkerers, creators, and activists are organizing student-led programs to encourage sustainable behaviors across college campuses. One such program is EcoReps at the Seattle campus of the University of Washington (UW).
A Wake-Up Call and a Learning Opportunity: Teaching Students About the UN Climate Change Report
In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (a body of the United Nations) released a report that the UN secretary-general described as “a code red for humanity.”
Empowering Ideas for Engaging Latinx Students in STEM
Boosting STEM exposure, opportunities, and engagement all go a long way in creating STEM-literate students and supporting the next generation of Latinx STEM leaders. But, outside of the classroom or lab, where can students go to receive STEM support? And where can they learn more about potential careers and research environments they could pursue in the field?
Supporting Educator Diversity in Today’s Classrooms: Three Teacher Preparation Programs to Check Out
With young Latinx learners representing a large percentage of the student population, more Latinx educators are needed in today’s classrooms. The Latinx student population is expected to continue to grow, and “research shows that schools and districts with teachers that reflect the cultural, racial, and/or linguistic backgrounds of Latinx students are better equipped to support them,” according to the education policy report Paving the Way for Latinx Teachers: Recruitment and Preparation to Promote Educator Diversity from New America.
Celebrating Latinx Scientists and Their Work: Resources for Your Classroom
National Hispanic Heritage Month offers a great opportunity for students to learn about the many Latinx contributions to STEM.
Latinx Scientists You Should Have Learned About in School
Latinx scientists have made a measurable impact in the scientific community. With September 15 marking the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, now is a great time to introduce students to notable Latinx scientists, while offering hands-on investigations
like these that connect to their areas of research.
Raising Climate Change Awareness: Spotlight on Researcher and Advocate Nicole Hernandez Hammer
Nicole Hernandez Hammer wears many hats—she is a sea level researcher, a climate change expert, and an environmental justice advocate. And, as part of this overarching work, she is focused on the important and timely issue of how climate change disproportionately impacts communities of color.
Transforming Science Education Post-Pandemic
If nothing else, the last 18 months during this worldwide pandemic have demonstrated the fragility and limitations of our education system. We asked more of teachers as they addressed a broadening range of student needs during an exceedingly difficult time that was amplified by gross inequities in technology for teaching and learning.
Adopting Three-Dimensional Learning with OpenSciEd: A Conversation with Jim Ryan
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) provides a powerful framework for strengthening science literacy and helping students think and act as real-world scientists. However, as OpenSciEd Executive Director Jim Ryan says, the new standards ask teachers and students to conduct themselves differently in the science classroom, which can pose challenges.
Breaking Down Barriers for Remote Learning
When the global pandemic forced the closure of college science departments across the nation, Dr. Kari van Zee, Dr. Ryan Mehl, Dr. Rick Cooley, and graduate student Phil Zhu—department faculty and research members at Oregon State University—had to think fast. They were faced with the unprecedented challenge of changing their hands-on senior-level research methods course so it could support remote and hybrid models of learning.
A Ready STEM Lab: Your Local, State, and National Parks
For over a year now it has been undoubtedly challenging to deliver the hands-on learning experiences that are so important to helping students make meaningful scientific connections. Even as next school year will likely begin under more normal circumstances, new challenges will need to be addressed.
Moving to Three-Dimensional Learning
What is three-dimensional learning? How do we develop and change how we teach as science educators? How do we get students to do the heavy lifting? And, how do we ensure that students become active—rather than passive—learners?
A Call to Action for Science Education
A Call to Action for Science Education, a comprehensive report published by the National Academies of Sciences, outlines the need for equitable access to quality science learning experiences that help enable students to develop the deep scientific literacy skills and understanding they need for personal and professional success.
40 Years in the Making: An Oral History of Vernier Software & Technology
This year marks 40 years of business for Vernier Software & Technology—a true milestone, to say the least. The company now serves a countless number of educators and students around the world, has more than 100 employees, and partners with leading organizations in education and science. But Dave and Christine Vernier never imagined the company would become what it is today when it all started back in the summer of 1981.
Vernier: An Evolution
Educators are always looking for ways to incorporate new technology into their teaching. It’s precisely for this reason that in the late seventies our co-founder Dave Vernier started tinkering with programming using the new Apple II computer, which was released in 1977 and gave way to the widespread use of computers in homes, schools, and offices.
A Guide to Choosing the Right Edtech Partner
Based on the sheer amount of marketing emails and sales calls received on a weekly—or even daily—basis, district leaders can surely attest to the seemingly countless number of technologies on the market today. But just how big is the edtech industry?
Doing Well by Doing Good: Our Company and Our People
It’s true that Dave and Christine Vernier started the company in 1981 to help share Dave’s educational software programs with other educators, but he was able to do that this particular summer because he struggled to find a second job in between school years.
The Right Tools: Helping Teachers Bring NGSS into Hawaiian Classrooms
As the Science and STEM Resource Teacher for the Kailua-Kalāheo Complex Area in Hawaii, Ryan Kagami was used to helping teachers find new ways to engage students with science and math. But helping with NGSS integration was a far bigger challenge.
Building Successful Students Through Robotics
The robotics program that Lee founded doesn’t just set students up for success in college. It gives them valuable experience applying what they know to solve real-world problems.
How One Chemical Engineer-Turned-Teacher Inspires Students in STEM
Ford won a 2020 Vernier/NSTA Technology Award for a project that challenged his pre-engineering students to work through the engineering design process to develop and build a class set of infrared photogates. Each student-designed photogate used a microcontroller coupled with an organic LED display as the interface, as well as an infrared source and detector circuits.
Fostering Community: A Conversation with The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) was founded nearly 14 years ago to help Asian-heritage professionals in the scientific and engineering fields achieve their full potential. Through its rich programming and events, it has continued to support these individuals in a number of ways, including helping members celebrate their Asian heritage, advocate for diversity on campus and in the workplace, and give back to the community.
Striving for a Sustainable World
For environmental engineer Camille Rivera, protecting the environment has always been a top priority. She is from Puerto Rico and growing up on an island taught her how big an impact events such as hurricanes can have on the environment.
Spreading the Word: How One Book Is Shifting the Climate Change Conversation
The Teacher-Friendly Guide™ to Climate Change, a textbook released by the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI), was published with an ambitious goal: to get into the hands of every public high school science teacher in the country.
Exploring Ocean Acidification Easily and Affordably
Climate change is the cause of a number of devastating consequences facing our planet. However, one often overlooked problem keeping the environmental science community busy right now is ocean acidification.
Promoting Renewable Energy and Creating Hands-on Learning Opportunities
Introducing renewable energy concepts to students is essential when teaching them how to combat climate change. Learning about renewable energy helps students apply principles in engineering, technology, and science to cultivate sustainable energy resources for the world.
Facilitating Climate Change Action: An Interview with Alliance for Climate Education
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our world. Combating this crisis will require a truly collaborative effort at every level if our society is going to ensure a healthy and vibrant planet for generations to come.
Engineering in Action: How Middle School Students Created a Tech-Enabled Garden
Tyson Vrbas is always seeking out new and interesting ways to engage his middle school students in robotics, a subject he has now taught for 20 years at Manhattan Catholic Schools in Manhattan, Kansas. When he learned about the Vernier Engineering Award, he wanted his submission to demonstrate student collaboration on a robotics project that also connected to the real world.
Watch: We Explore Heat Islands Around Nashville, Tennessee
Have you noticed more greenery such as grass and trees planted around—and even on top of—new buildings in urban areas? Engineers and architects are leading these efforts to help combat a scientific phenomenon called the heat island.
The Next Frontier: Pivot Interactives and Student Assessment
Last March, when the pandemic forced so many educators to pivot to remote teaching overnight, everything changed. There were myriad logistical issues to deal with, but one of the most important things that changed was the ability to gauge how well students were engaged with their studies.
Introducing the 2021 Winners of the Vernier/NSTA Technology Award
Each year, we partner with NSTA to give out the Vernier/NSTA Technology Awards to educators who are using data-collection technology in engaging, innovative ways in the classroom.
“I Made This for You”: The Evolution of Formative Assessment in STEM
Assessments could be intimidating and didn’t take into account the ways students had practiced communicating their understanding in the preceding lessons. The way assessment was implemented often felt exclusionary for some students, especially those who struggled with historically limited modalities of teaching.
5 Expert Tips for Using Formative Assessment in the Classroom
According to author and education expert Page Keeley, formative assessment is one of the most effective strategies for improving the opportunity for all students to learn. This teaching tool gives educators valuable information to design their lessons to meet their students’ needs. However, some teachers may struggle with how to use formative assessment as a vital part of their everyday instruction.
Understanding Students’ Science Knowledge with Formative Assessments
Formative assessment can provide a powerful way to help science educators drive their instruction and, in turn, help students succeed. But, what exactly does this look like in today’s educational environment? How can educators leverage technology and incorporate hands-on science as part of the assessment process?
The Future Is Bright: Four High School Students on Their STEM Journey
We spoke with four students at Montgomery Blair High School—a STEM magnet school in Silver Spring, Maryland—about their studies, their STEM passions, and how they are working to change STEM for the better.
Working for Diversity in STEM Education
Sharon Delesbore started her career in coaching, then decided to step into the biology classroom in honor of the teacher that changed her life. As she worked her way into leadership roles, she noticed less and less diversity. She decided that she was going to change that.
Blazing New Paths: Dr. Engram’s Historic Journey in Academia
Dr. Shamaria Engram made history by becoming the first Black woman to graduate from the University of South Florida’s Computer Science and Engineering doctoral program. Getting a PhD wasn’t her original plan; Dr. Engram had hoped she’d become an FBI agent.
Organization Spotlight: Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators
We had the opportunity to chat with OABSE President Kevin Bacon, who believes that equity in education is so important because rooting out the systemic inequitable practices within public and private education is foundational to the survival of our democracy.
Educator Making a Difference: A Conversation with Dr. Calvin Mackie
Dr. Calvin Mackie, the first Black tenured engineering professor at Tulane University, understands the opportunity education offers historically underserved youth.
Bridging the Science Gap with Creative, Hands-On Engineering
“The more hands-on engineering experiences students receive at a younger age, the more they’ll understand that STEM careers are accessible to them,” said Bayonet. “I know I personally would have flourished if I had this type of learning opportunity and exposure to technology when I was in elementary or middle school.”
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The Caliper started as a printed, biannual newsletter in 1984. See the evolution of STEM education over 39 years.