Terra Bella middle school ready to test world

Carl Smith Middle School of Terra Bella is the recipient of a $10,000 software grant.
The award will open opportunities for space technology, engineering and mathematics education, said science teacher Larry Helmstetler.

Vernier Software & Technology, in celebration of its’ 30th anniversary, awarded 30 grants — 10 to elementary and middle schools, 10 to high schools and 10 to colleges.

“When I read that we had been awarded a Vernier grant, I was delighted,” Helmstetler said. “This will allow the paradigm shift I have hoped for — kids testing the world around them rather than being tested to oblivion.”

Currently, Carl Smith Middle School has only one Lab Quest and a few sensors used primarily for demonstration, Helmstetler said.

The award will enable students to participate in hands-on experimentation and become active participants in the scientific process, Vernier representatives said.

“This grant will put the equipment in the kids’ hands, allowing them to make tests of the real world around them. It will give them ‘eyes’ to see the unseen — magnetic fields, UV light, carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc. — as well as measure temperatures, pH’s, wind speeds, pressures, and more in real time, and to easily graph all of their measurements,” Helmstetler said.

The technology will be used across all three middle school grades and the elementary student resource teams to increase collaboration in math and science classes as well as assist advanced student resource teams and spur student’ curiosity and excitement for subject matter.

“Students might just find the answers to some of those what if and how come type of questions that make science come alive. Real numbers creating real interest,” Helmstetler said.

According to Helmstetler, Vernier has an abundance of excellent labs available in its middle school, earth science and biology lab manuals that can be adapted and used.      
“In addition to that, we will have the opportunity for a great deal of innovation,” Helmstetler said.

Helmstetler said some of the fun and educational things they can do involves measuring wind speed and lift on various designs of kites, using air-current maps and wind propellers to measure pitch and design efficiencies, measuring magnetic fields around project motors, and measuring the agriculture reflective films’ light and temperatures.
In addition, the class can measure the pressure and temperature changes of a cloud formed in a jar.

“I am definitely excited about what this grant will do for our students,” Helmstetler said. “Vernier has gone beyond generous with the grant. When I called to ask about the details of selecting the equipment, Vernier stated that they wanted all of the recipient schools to receive the full value of the grant so they would cover sales tax and shipping associated with the funds granted. I am definitely  thankful.”