A 21st Century Learning Environment
PASCO’s has always stood committed to giving teachers and students the most modern and effective tools for science education. That striving has culminated in SPARKscience, an authentic, research based learning environment that combines cutting edge data collection, interactive visualization, analysis tools that encourage exploration and collaboration and discovery-based interactive lab activities. The main components of SPARKscience are SPARKvue Software, the SPARK Science Learning System, PASPORT sensors and SPARKlabs.
SPARKvue software
At the heart of SPARKscience is SPARKvue software. Equally at home on Macs & PCs, interactive white boards and netbooks, SPARKvue is simple yet powerful software that keeps the focus on the science. Media rich, touch screen capable and with powerful analysis tools, SPARKvue is designed to help students learn science by doing science.
SPARK Science Learning System
The SPARK is PASCO’s fully integrated, standalone option for science both in and out of the classroom. Handheld and rugged, SPARK is powered by SPARKvue software. Its large touchscreen and oversized handles promote collaborative learning and the sharing of ideas. For those teachers seeking a dedicated device for science learning, the SPARK is the answer.
PASPORT Sensors
With over 70 available sensors students can measure virtually anything. With plug and play capabilities, any of the sensors can be connected and SPARKvue will immediately recognize it and be ready to collect data. From experiments on weather to cellular respiration, from sound levels in an elementary school classroom to advanced optics in physics – PASPORT probeware provides the information needed for modern science activities.
SPARKlabs
SPARKlabs are discovery-based interactive activities that seamlessly integrate content with data collection and analysis. Fully self-contained, students are engaged throughout with self-check questions, prompts for predictions and assessment questions. Teachers can design their own SPARKlabs or use labs created by PASCO and an ever growing list of partners.
SPARKlabs are or will soon be available from:
- Carolina
- Sally Ride Science
- Horizon
SPARK Science Learning System
Designed from the ground up for 21st century science discovery
Designed from the ground up to be an all-in-one device for learning science, the SPARK Science Learning System is at home in elementary schools as it is in an advanced chemistry class. The oversized hand straps make it easy to pass back and forth and the large full-color touch screen means that everyone in the lab group is involved and seeing the results of the activity. Simple two button design means starting and stopping data collection is easy for right or left handed students and frees up a hand for holding a sensor or probe.
Powered by SPARKvue software, the SPARK can use up to 4 sensors simultaneously with its two ports for any PASPORT sensor and built in temperature and voltage ports. It is also splash proof, has two USB ports for connecting to a computer, printer or flash drive, and has a rechargeable, high capacity batter for all day use.
Rugged and robust and shipping with over 60 free SPARKlabs installed, the award winning SPARK is designed to become the center of your school's discovery-based science learning environment, providing both teacher and student the embedded support for exploring scientific concepts.
SPARKvue
Software for interactive visualization and analysis
SPARKvue software was designed to be the most flexible solution for science classrooms. It adapts to your classroom technology without a problem (no worries about a mixed environment) and powers our standalone device for those without computers in their lab or who need a handheld unit for activities beyond the classroom
With the ability to display data in any fashion you wish (digits, meter, table, graph) and open analysis tools with the touch of the screen or mouse, SPARKvue is incredibly flexible. The intuitive user interface makes for almost no learning curve which keeps your science lesson from becoming a technology lesson.
Collect real-time sensor data, make predictions right on a graph and see the result, capture a snapshot of student work at any time with the journaling feature and create and edit student assessment prompts. Just a few of the many features of this media rich, powerful software. SPARKvue is truly science your way.
SPARKlabs
Discovery-based, interactive lab activities
Integrated data collection and analysis means that students immediately draw meaning from the measurements and connect them to the science concept being investigated.
Assessment throughout. Making predictions, sequencing challenges, free response and multiple choice questions are all used to keep students engaged — and to encourage reflection and retention.
All background information, materials lists, safety notes and procedures are provided keeping students in the flow of the lab, not flipping back and forth with paper reference materials.
A central theme of SPARKscience is the integration of the scientific process with the learning process. This is best embodied by our SPARKlabs, discovery-based interactive lab activities, incorporating science content, data collection and analysis, and assessment.
Over 60 SPARKlabs—free
We want you to experience how effective the integrated learning experience is with SPARKscience. So we include over 60 free discovery-based interactive lab activities— SPARKlabs—with every SPARK Science Learning System or SPARKvue license.
Growing SPARKlab collection
Educational publishers, non-profits, school districts and educators are actively developing instructional resource materials for SPARKscience. Both free and purchased materials, these SPARKlab collections will be announced throughout 2010.