Tech Tools in the Science Room

We paid a visit to the science room at John Paul II in Lacey and learned how technology has brought a new excitement to the science lab. With precision instrumentation and one to one computers for the students, labs are accurate and mechanized. The tools and reporting applications automate the lab processes leaving time for discussion, analysis and collaboration.
Most of us will remember the high school chem lab and that day that we first attempted an acid-base titration. That involved a beaker of base solution and anther bottle dripping acid slowly into the mix. At some precise moment the perfect level of Ph was in the beaker and it changed color and the lab was a success Or not. We spent time and energy on the process, but not necessarily on the actual reaction we had studied.
With the use of a precision PH probe and its associated graphing software, the titration is still performed by dripping in drops of acid, but since the hp data is gathered continuously the experiment is far more foolproof. The entire process is documented and data can be studied from any portion of the experiment. This quick and accurate result allows students an d teachers to discuss the reaction immediately – not days later after the lab is written up.
Biology labs are more exciting with sensors that record environmental readings such as O2, CO2 and temperature. Sensors are available that can be used in outdoors to measure the conditions of lakes and streams.