| Back in the old days, a typical school science weather | | | | use and the kids in the class love it because they are |
| forecaster consisted of a three dial unit that told | | | | more engaged with this 'hands-on' approach to learning. |
| temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. Things | | | | The newest technology runs on a rechargeable |
| have changed. Today, elementary science datalogger | | | | lithium-ion battery, similar to those found in most cell |
| technology, also referred to as probeware with | | | | phones. They can be recharged by either using the |
| sensors, designed specifically for science education | | | | AC adapter or by plugging it into a computer's USB |
| can still tell those three things, but a whole lot more. | | | | port with the USB cable. The advanced battery |
| These systems are easy enough to be operated and | | | | technology allows the new, innovative technology to |
| understood by an elementary school student and yet | | | | collect data for over thirty days on a single charge. |
| powerful enough to be used in advanced science | | | | Data logging software is an integral part of the |
| applications. The new educational technology includes | | | | technology package. It is critical for displaying real-time |
| a portable datalogger that acts like a mini weather | | | | data for students and many new software packages |
| station. Designed especially for younger students, this | | | | are very easy to use. You can download data that's |
| handheld device contains five built-in sensors and an | | | | been collected away from the computer, analyze it |
| LCD display. It's ideal for displaying and recording daily | | | | and even copy the chart or graph into other |
| weather patterns and supplies real time data on sound, | | | | applications such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint or |
| light, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. | | | | Excel. You can even export the data from the |
| This type of hand held device can also include ports | | | | software into Excel with the touch of a button in some |
| for plugging in a wide range of additional sensors. This | | | | applications. |
| type of unit can be used for observing and collecting | | | | There's quite a bit of technology packed into these |
| data on things such as motion, heart rate, pH levels, | | | | compact, pocket-sized, easy-to-use mini weather |
| voltage and many others. This is in addition, of course, | | | | stations. Whether directly hooked up to a computer or |
| to the five sensors already built in to the unit. | | | | on its own outside the classroom, these mini data |
| You simply plug the sensor in and start collecting data. | | | | loggers do an incredible job of supplying information to |
| Many of the new sensor technologies auto-identify the | | | | the user. And it makes learning fun for the class, as it's |
| sensors and are auto-calibrated to save time and | | | | a hands-on unit that delivers immediate feedback on |
| frustration in getting the unit up and running. It's easy to | | | | the changing conditions it's monitoring. |