Using Vernier Probes in Science

I had the opportunity to have students in my Eighth Grade Science class explore the differences between temperatures in various types of water this week. Using Vernier Temperature probes and LabPros they measured temperature change as ice melted, as ice with salt added melted, and water without anything added. I was impressed with how well the Vernier Temperature probes worked for us. In addition, I was thrilled to see the engagement of students. Each student was actively involved and very interested in the data collected on the computer program. We discussed the lab and it was quickly apparent that they understood the relationship of temperature and the related molecule motion as it applied to their comparison. Many commented about how surprised they were to see the temperature went lower when salt was added. These same students indicated that salt was used on their sidewalks in the winter to melt ice. They, however, did not make the automatic transition to how the freezing point had changed with the addition of salt.