Australia
Science Week Introduces Young Australian Students to Probeware
By Peter Cavallaro Science Teacher, Blackwater Senior High School
Australian teacher Peter Cavallaro finds students' concepts of mechanics and motion dramatically changed through activities incorporating probeware.
QUEENSLAND, Australia -- My senior physics students at Blackwater Senior High
School recently planned hands-on, probeware-based activities for year one and
two students to celebrate Science Week, a national event.
Using the PASCO
Roller Coaster System the first and second year students had to predict where to
start the car in order to get it through the loop. We changed the masses and
added the water accessory and students made further predictions. We also used
the PASCO Projectile Launcher. Students predicted the range of projectile and
launch speed. Students' predictions were often in error even though the
activities appeared fairly obvious (of course it was planned for that
effect).
These activities all had an element of fun and involved real
scientific thinking. The first and second year students gained a physical thrill
and mental stimulation from participating in these hands-on activities. This was
the first time they were exposed to probeware. We found their concepts of
mechanics and motion were dramatically changed through activities incorporating
probeware. It was absolutely a completely new (and better) way to teach and
learn science.
My students at Blackwater Senior High School use 
probeware on
a regular basis. They do experiments first, collect real-time data using
probeware, then offer explanations. They also do guided research and further
experiments in class. Basically, they construct their own knowledge in a
structured, safe environment, with me acting as a guide and
facilitator.
Blackwater Senior High School has approximately 300 students.
The town is in a remote area of central Queensland state and has a population of
about 4,000. The town is here predominately to service the mining industry. The
mines have the lure of relatively large incomes and job security. Therefore, a
substantial percentage of these students will seek employment in the mining
industry first. However, I think the technology we've used in class has inspired
some to seek professional qualifications such as engineering (mechanical,
electrical and mining).
My students are regularly exposed to a range of
skills and equipment associated with the use of probeware. I plan to extend my
range of probeware and equipment to encompass broader subject areas in the
future.