Free Vernier STEM Education Workshops Sweep the Nation

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Jan 05, 2011, 09:58 ET

Educators conduct hands-on experiments to get real-world experience with handheld data-collection technology

BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Beginning in February, science and math educators can get real-world experience with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities by participating in one of Vernier Software & Technology's free 4-hour hands-on workshops.

Spreading from New Jersey to California, Vernier's workshops provide educators with great ideas for implementing hands-on science experiments. Touching on topics such as chemistry, biology, physics, middle school science, physical science and Earth science, each workshop saves schools money by offering quality professional development for free.

Each session is led by current or former classroom science and math teachers. Vernier's group of 34 trainers together has 918 years of teaching experience and has won many prestigious awards. Collectively they have written more than 60 science books and lab manuals, including many published by Vernier.

Each workshop includes a light meal and lab handouts. Attendees also have the option of earning two (quarter) Graduate Science credit hours through the Portland State University Center for Science Education. The approximate cost is $190 per credit hour.

Interested educators can select dates from the schedule below.

*February Workshop Dates and Locations*
February 23: Tampa, FL	February 23: Houston, TX
February 24: Orlando, FL	February 24: Houston, TX
February 26: Ft. Lauderdale, FL	February 26: San Antonio, TX
February 28: Dallas, TX

*March Workshop Dates and Locations*
March 1: Dallas, TX	March 22: Raleigh, NC
March 23: Greensboro, NC	March 24: Charlotte, NC
March 26: Columbia, SC	March 28: Augusta, GA
March 29: Atlanta, GA

*April Workshop Dates and Locations*
April 6: Little Rock, AR	April 6: Hartford, CT
April 7: Memphis, TN	April 7: Stamford, CT
April 9: Nashville, TN	April 9: Newark, NJ
April 11: Knoxville, TN	April 11: Allentown, PA
April 12: Philadelphia, PA	April 13: Cheyenne, WY
April 14: Denver, CO	April 16: Colorado Springs, CO
April 18: Albuquerque, NM	April 28: Fairfax County, VA
April 30: Washington, DC	April 30: Phoenix, AZ

*May Workshop Dates and Locations*
May 2: Baltimore, MD	May 2: Riverside, CA
May 3: Wilmington, DE	May 3: Pasadena, CA

According to David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier and a former physics teacher, "STEM education continues to be a focus from a federal and state level, yet budgets continue to strain educators' abilities to get hands-on training in STEM. Our data-collection workshops give science and math educators the ability to bring concrete concepts and real-world relevance to instruction."

To register for a Vernier workshop near you, visit http://www.vernier.com/workshop.

About Vernier Software & Technology

Vernier Software & Technology has been a leading innovator of scientific data-collection technology for 30 years. Focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Vernier is dedicated to developing creative ways to teach and learn using hands-on science. Vernier creates easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. With world-wide distribution to over 130 countries, Vernier products are used by educators and students from elementary school to college. Vernier's technology-based solutions enhance STEM education, increase learning, and build students' critical thinking skills. Vernier's business culture is grounded in Earth-friendly policies and practices and the company provides a family-friendly workplace. For more information visit www.vernier.com.

SOURCE Vernier Software & Technology