Vernier Software & Technology has announced the winners of its 2018 Vernier Engineering Contest, which recognizes science, engineering, and STEM teachers for their innovative use of Vernier sensors to teach students engineering concepts and practices. The two winning teachers—Chris Berg of Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, Calif., and Tate Rector of Beebe Junior High in Beebe, Ark.—will each receive prizes valued at $5,500.
Selected by a panel of Vernier experts, the winning projects demonstrated engineering practices called for in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and were chosen based on innovation and the ease by which other teachers can replicate the project.
Each winner will receive $1,000 in cash, $3,000 in Vernier technology, and $1,500 toward expenses to attend the 2018 National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA) STEM conference or the 2018 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) conference.
The Winning Projects
Berg created a framework to investigate collisions using the Vernier Dual-Range Force Sensor, a cart and track system, and student-designed, 3D-printed bumpers.
Rector asked his students to define a problem facing their school or community and determine a solution. The students used the engineering design process to develop an automated lighting system that activates when someone enters a cross walk in a dark portion of the school's parking lot.
Jen Rushing of Central Coast New Tech High in Nipomo, Calif., was also recognized with an honorable mention. In her project, physics students incorporated the Digital Control Unit and Vernier sensors into the creation of Rube Goldberg machines.
To learn more about the Vernier Engineering Contest and to see videos of the winning entries, visitwww.vernier.com/grants/engineering/.
