New Vernier Energy Counter Makes it Easier for Elementary and Middle School Students to Explore and Measure Renewable Energy

BEAVERTON, Ore., Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vernier Science Education recently launched the Vernier Energy Counter to provide elementary and middle school students with a simple way to measure and compare the energy output of KidWind wind turbines or solar panels. During hands-on KidWind challenges, students design, build, and test various turbine models to generate maximum power. Now, with the standalone Vernier Energy Counter connected to a turbine or panel, students can press one button, run a 30-second test, and get a digital reading of the total energy in joules their model produced—without needing a computer, accompanying software, or multimeter calculations.

"Exploring renewable energy with KidWind gives students an early opportunity to practice science and engineering skills through hands-on projects," said Jill Hedrick, CEO of Vernier Science Education. "The Vernier Energy Counter makes it easy for students to measure energy output, interpret results, and use what they learn to improve their designs. This helps them develop the problem-solving skills to think and work like real-world scientists and engineers, while preparing them to use more advanced data-collection technology in the future."

The Vernier Energy Counter features a digital display of total energy output, a built-in 30 Ω load, and source inputs with potentials of up to ±12 V and currents of up to ±400 mA. Its long-lasting, rechargeable battery makes it possible for students to test more than 100 KidWind wind turbines and solar panels multiple times each without needing to recharge.

To get started using the Vernier Energy Counter, teachers can access two easy-to-implement investigations for free: Investigating Wind Energy, Lesson 06: Blade Design: Pitch and Wind Energy Explorations, Lesson 05: Blade Variable: Pitch. The investigations guide students through testing different blade pitches, measuring energy output, and using their data to determine which design generates the most energy.

The Vernier Energy Counter is available for $85 and is compatible with the KidWind product line offered by Vernier. It is backed by Vernier product support and a five-year limited warranty.

To learn more about the Vernier Energy Counter, visit www.vernier.com/product/vernier-energy-counter.

About Vernier Science Education
For more than 45 years, Vernier Science Education has been committed to using our experience, knowledge, and passion to create the best and most reliable solutions for STEM education. Our comprehensive solutions include hardware, software, content, assessment, professional development, and technical support. At the heart of Vernier is our deep commitment to being an authentic and trusted partner to STEM educators. We are dedicated to partnering with educators and communities to build a STEM-literate society where students grow up to become knowledgeable citizens who can solve problems, fully contribute to their communities, and drive innovation. For more information, visit www.vernier.com.

SOURCE Vernier Science Education