Education Grant Leaves Gunter Students Blinded by Science
By Kimberly Svatek
Herald Democrat

GUNTER, Texas -- The eighth grade science lab at Gunter High School looks like something out of a television show. With laptop computers on each of the six stations and hand-held liquid crystal display monitors attached to probes.

The students, decked out in their goggles and aprons, mix chemicals in plastic sandwich bags and then set the mixture against the probe to see what temperature the reaction makes.

This test for temperature is one of several new activities the students are able to do this year since science teacher Debbie Murphy received a grant to purchase the new PASCO Xplorers probe system. The probes are used to collect data, and in today's experiment they're attached to a computer which instantly graphs and displays the readings.

Murphy said beyond just learning, a positive aspect of the new program is that it creates interest and a connection between the students and science.

"It's so hard to get the kids excited," she said. "Our kids love technology and by adding this equipment we are able to get them excited."

The probes, which are "kid friendly," can test things such as temperature, pH balance and conductivity. The students simply place the probe in the mixture being tested and the liquid crystal display saves the information and readings.

"I think it make the kids feel like real scientists so they can explore and look at the experiments on their own," Murphy said. "I don't have to stand over their shoulder and tell them what each experiment should do; they see it."

The new equipment has two uses, Murphy said. The first computes the data for the kids and displays it on laptop computers. This allows the students to see results in real time. Murphy said this function allows the students to focus on concepts behind the experiment instead of focusing on the numbers and the graph.

"It's good because sometimes it's hard to understand how (the experiment) works," she said. "This lets them see it in real time so they can get feedback."

Student Halley Erickson agreed the new probes and computers help her learn. "They're easier and quicker to get the information and you don't have to worry about drawing graphs," she said. "I don't learn less by not drawing because I still have to draw some."

The second use in the field allows students to put the data into the LCD receivers and later come back to use the information to draw charts and graphs.

"The LCD panel is field-ready and can save the information," Murphy said. "When kids come back inside, they can graph it themselves."

This ability, she said, allows students to not lose the skills of math and drawing graphs that could be lost if only the computer did the work.

Murphy said she hopes the equipment will help the students focus on concepts and not on the graphs so they can think about what's taking place.

"The probes help teach the importance of use in technology and science," she said. "Outside of school, computers are a must and with this technology the kids get more accurate information and learn more accurately."

During the experiment, Murphy asked one lab group which reaction they see, and all three members gave the right answer.

Holly Hilton said the computers help her better understand the concept so she can have the right answers more often.

"It graphs it for us so we can learn more about concepts," she said. "I've had to do graphs on paper before, and it was hard."

Murphy said the new equipment will also help children prepare for the Texas Enhanced Knowledge Skills test. She said technology has been on the test for years, but the schools haven't been able to afford the equipment to help the students.

Murphy said she looked for the equipment for more than two years before finding the PASCO Xplorer system. She said many of the systems were complicated and hard for the students to use.

Murphy received her new equipment through a grant by the Gunter ISD Foundation Trust. The trust provides scholarships to graduating seniors as well as grants for teachers and school personnel.

The foundation trust is part of the Kerfoot Trust which was established in 1975 for the benefit of Gunter schools. The foundation's goal is to replenish the Kerfoot trust scholarships as well as help teachers.