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The Physical Science portion of the workshop exposed teachers to the use of
Vernier software for real-time data collection and analysis in the classroom. Teachers
performed two experiments; “Solar Homes and Heat Sinks” and “The insulated Coke
Bottle.”
In the first experiment, the use of alternative energy sources, in the case
solar energy, was addressed. The teachers built solar homes in groups, and gathered
real-time data comparing a solar home using a thermal mass for temperature management,
versus a home that does not use a thermal mass to compare which is more efficient
in regulating overall home temperature.
In the second experiment, teachers used a variety of materials for insulation
(paper, aluminum foil, Styrofoam). Using the Vernier software to collect real-time
data, they compared which insulation material was the most efficient at holding
the temperature of the coke bottle.
Upon completion of each of these experiments, the teachers wrote lesion plans on
how they would use these experiments in their own classrooms. They were also encouraged
to come up with their own extension to these experiments in order to further engage
their students in the experimental design process.
At the conclusion of the workshop, each teacher was given a Vernier package that
contained the software, interface device and all of the probes necessary to perform
these experiments in their own classrooms.
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