Educators in Three States Gain Science Knowledge and Equipment Through Intel® Teach Essentials STEM Pilot

Vernier donates data-collection technology and software to benefit schools in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon

BEAVERTON, Ore., July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Vernier Software & Technology is helping Intel® Teach educators to integrate technology and project-based approaches into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education as part of its participation in the Intel Teach Essentials Course STEM pilot program in Arizona and Oregon. The Arizona pilot will also be open to teachers from New Mexico schools.

This summer and fall, teachers in Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon will have the opportunity to attend a week-long professional development course designed to promote student-centered learning and 21st century skills. Throughout the week, participants will be trained on Vernier's data-collection technology, create a standards-based unit, plan experiments, learn effective ways to create assessment tools, and discover ways to engage students with scientific inquiry using Vernier's data collection technology. Teachers will also learn innovative uses of Web 2.0 technologies.

"We are proud to partner with Intel® and serve STEM education with this pilot. Training teachers to integrate science, technology, engineering and math concepts using engaging techniques with probeware is an essential part of our commitment to science education," said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher.

As part of Vernier's participation in the pilot, the company is donating a school copy of LoggerPro software, a LabQuest Mini, and several sensors for the subject he or she teaches to each participating educator. Each package is valued at more than $500.

The Intel® Teach Essentials STEM Course is a special pilot that will allow educators to participate in free training.  Events are being coordinated through regional education service agencies in Oregon and the Arizona Department of Education.  Educators who participate have the option of becoming certified Intel Teach Master Instructors which will allow them to deliver the Essentials Course to other teachers.

"Our Intel® Teach program has trained more than 370,000 U.S. educators in all 50 states and we are very excited to pilot STEM-specific professional development with Vernier," said Steve Andrews, U.S. Manager of Intel® Teach. "We anticipate full enrollment in two pilot workshops and we plan to evaluate the pilots and share outcomes via our http://engage.intel.com online teacher community."

About Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier Software & Technology has been an innovator of data-collection technology for 29 years. Creating easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and software, their products can be found in education from elementary school to college in more than 125 countries. Vernier helps teachers enhance their science curriculum, increase learning, and build students' critical thinking skills. For more information visit www.vernier.com.

SOURCE Vernier Software & Technology