The TSI District Microcomputer Based Labs (MBL) have been recently upgraded with new interface devices, software and probes. Money for the project came from DODEA and the DSO. All high schools in the district will be getting the latest Vernier interface devices refered to as LabPro interfaces. The LabPro interface devices can be used to gather data for experiments remotely by downloading experiment files to the handheld device and then uploading the data to the computer for later analysis. The devices can also be used with graphing calculators to collect data in the field and view results of experiments immediately. No longer will students be limited to experiments that can only be conducted within the confines of the classroom. New LoggerPro version 2.0 software has also been shipped to the high schools providing a wide range of experiments for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science and Water Analysis courses. MBL permits students to use various types of probes connected to computers to gather data, which can be analyzed immediately. Graphs can be created on the computers and printed out for analysis. Students also have the opportunities to redo experiments in a short amount of time. MBL computers are equipped with Microsoft Office, which includes MS Word for word processing, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentation software. Students are encouraged to produce a wide-range of multimedia reports. Examples of probes include: temperature, pressure, conductivity, colorimeter, motion detector, microphone, current & voltage, CO2 gas sensor, exercise heart rate monitor, dissolved oxygen, respiration monitor belt, photogate, and EKG senors.
Internet connectivity for student research is another option that students and instructors have for gathering information from the worldwide web via the science computer labs. Instructors can utilize Web Quests to challenge students to solve curricular and real-world related problems in science.
The following high schools in the TSI District have MBL facilities and equipment:
Azores:
Bahrain:
Spain:
Turkey:
Vernier probes and software are used in all of the TSI MBL facilities. For further information, please contact Vernier.
MBL training workshops have been provided in the summers by DODEA. Three-day workshops have been provided for TSI teachers at the following locations: Bahrain School and Incirlik High School.
MBL Training for 2000-2001 School Year (All dates are tentative due to local circumstances and/or turmoil in the Middle East):
