Pico Technology, keen to promote science in education, makes available a library of free experiments and activities for use in schools and colleges.
Pico Technology, keen to promote science in education, makes available a library of free experiments and activities for use in schools and colleges.
Cambridge, UK - XX June 2000 - Pico Technology has made available, free on its web site (www.picotech.com), a library of science experiments for use in schools and colleges. The experiments - all which are underpinned by the use of oscilloscopes or data logging equipment - are written by science teachers and industry experts and are split into five subjects: biology, chemistry, physics, electronics and general science.
In addition to the listed experiments, suggestions for other experiments are made on the site and teachers are invited to submit ideas for additional experiments. Measuring the speeds of light and sound, studying the swing of a pendulum, observing the reactions which take place during fermentation, and recording wind resistance and velocity are among the collection of experiments currently available.
"These experiments are not only ideal for those courses/teachers aiming to deliver step-by-step tuition to science pupils, but also provide a foundation for courses where 'thinking outside the box' is encouraged," comments Mike Green, Pico Technology's Managing Director. "Although the experiments can be conducted using traditional, bench-top test and measurement equipment, pupils often have limited access to such equipment - which is why we recommend the use of PC-based (virtual) oscilloscopes and data loggers. In addition to the wider availability of PCs in schools and colleges, the results of the experiments can be observed on a large screen, printed, saved to disk or even transferred over the school or college intranet."
Further to providing experiments, Pico is also keen to support the current and planned experiments of the various education bodies. For example, the recently announced Advanced Physics AS 2000 syllabus features many exciting experiments/activities and is a strong indication of how committed the Institute of Physics is to reversing the decline of pupils taking advanced physics. Pico's Technical Director Alan Tong comments: "The Advanced Physics AS 2000 syllabus looks very interesting and many of the experiments listed on it are ideally suited to our low cost test and measurement solutions.
Through employing PC-based technology to record changes in light, temperature, sound levels and many other quantities - the results can be captured, saved and analysed later on."
In addition, earlier this year it was announced that around 400 secondary schools are set to benefit over the next two years from a £60 million alocation from the Capital Modernisation Fund. This money will, assures School Standards Minister Estelle Morris, provide new science laboratories and refurbish older ones. It is also the government's intention to make better use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). "This is a really positive move," continues Green, "as I am genuinely concerned that science as a subject has not been promoted enough in schools recently. Science forms the foundation for most engineering disciplines - through experiments, pupils observe changes and reactions, they speculate on what will/may happen next and, in short, start thinking logically. This government money is set to provide a vital boost."
Green concludes: "Our online and free experiments and our ability to provide proven technology to assist with the syllabuses of the various education authorities have greatly improved and simplified the typical five step approach to any science experiment: Objective, Method, Apparatus, Results and Conclusion. Let us help with the first three elements and let teachers and pupils focus on results and conclusions."
