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TIES Resources
The TIES program has two ways to help you bring authentic science into your middle school classroom: mini-grants and equipment loans/donations.
| Equipment for Loan: | |
| Actical accelerometers, with reader, software and manual. We have 50-60 Acticals available, with waistbands, and two readers (necessary to download data from the Acticals). Please give us as much notice as possible for the Acticals so we can arrange battery replacement and calibration. |  |
| Pedometers – We have 34 "Step into Health" pedometers and 17 "Sport Line" pedometers that can be checked out for classroom use. |   |
Vernier LabQuest - Can be used as a computer interface, a stand-alone device or in the field. This device has built-in graphing and analysis software, color touch screen and is compatible with existing Vernier sensors (see below). Has 50 labs built into the unit, including experiments from biology, chemistry, physics, Earth science, water quality, advanced chemistry, physical science, and more. We have 8 of these units, which can be checked out for extended periods to execute classroom activities. |
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Gas Pressure Sensor - for experiments related to Boyle's law, vapor pressure, pressure-temperature, plant transpiration and monitoring consumption of O2 and CO2 in an enclosed atmosphere. |
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| Respiration Monitor Belt - Used in conjunction with the gas pressure sensor (above) to measure human respiration rates. |  |
| CO2 Gas Sensor - Monitors changes in CO2 levels occurring in respiration of organisms from crickets to humans! Also great for measuring changes in CO2 levels during plant photosynthesis. A chamber with probe attachment is included for running controlled experiments with small plants and animals. |  |
| O2 Gas Sensor - Measures oxygen concentration in air and can be used to study respiration of plants and insects, or rusting of iron. Many of the experiments performed using the CO2 Gas Sensor (above) can be performed or complemented using the O2 Gas Sensor. |  |
| Spirometer - Performs a variety of tests related to air flow and lung volume. Designed to make human respiratory measurements at rest and during moderate activity. |  |
| EKG Sensor - Measures electrical signals produced during muscle contractions. It can be used for standard 3-lead EKG tracings or to make surface EMG recordings. Each of the three leads on the sensor connect to disposable electrodes. |  |
| Hand Dynamometer - Used to measure grip strength and to perform muscle fatigue studies. The Hand Dynamometer can be used alone or in combination with EMG recordings (above) for detailed studies of muscular activity. |  |
| Hand-Grip Heart Rate Monitor - Determines a person’s heart rate while mobile or stationary, allowing measurements during and after excercise. The sensor consists of wireless hand grips and a receiver module that plugs into Vernier data-collection devices. The hand grips sense the electrical signals generated by the heart, much like an ECG. For each pulse detected, a signal is transmitted to the receiver module, and the individual’s pulse rate is calculated. |  |
| Blood Pressure Sensor (two sizes)- A non-invasive sensor designed to measure human blood pressure. It can be used to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure utilizing the oscillometric technique. The sensor includes a standard adult size adjustable cuff (27 cm to 39 cm), pump bulb and pressure transducer. A smaller cuff (18 cm to 27 cm) is also available for younger students, and includes a pump bulb and valve. |  |
| 3-Axis Accelerometer - Three low-g accelerometers mounted at right angles and all placed in this small box. Use it for studying the complex motion of an amusement park ride, a bungee jumper, or a toss in the air. Graphs the magnitude of the total acceleration vector. |  |
| Wireless Dynamics Sensor System - Combines a 3-axis accelerometer, altimeter, and force sensor into one unit that communicates wirelessly with your computer using Bluetooth® wireless technology. Can also be used as a stand-alone data logger. |  |
Surface Temperature Sensor - Has an exposed thermistor that results in an extremely rapid response time and is good for situations in which low thermal mass or flexibility are required, or for a skin temperature measurement. For use in air only. |
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| Temperature Probe (Go!Temp) - Collects temperature data directly through the USB Port of your computer (Windows® or Macintosh®). Plug it in and use the enclosed software to see the temperature graph plotted in real time. Range: -20°C to 110°C; Resolution: 0.07°C; Accuracy: ± 0.5°C; Response time: 4 s (to 90% of full reading in water). |  |
| Instrumentation Amplifier - Monitors voltages from a few millivolts (DC or AC) and has several switch settings to allow you to select the best gain. Used to amplify the chart recorder output of many instruments (such as a Gas Chromatograph) or to measure the voltage drop across a resistor. |  |
| Go! Link interface - Connects any one of 43 compatible Vernier sensors to your Windows® or Macintosh® computer. Allows you to collect and see your data in real time. |  |
| Gameshow Pro3 - this software tool is already mounted on a laptop and ready for you to borrow and use in your classroom. Create and play Hollywood-style game shows around any content. Simply fill in questions and answers, and within minutes have a game that reinforces content while creating an energizing, effective, and innovative learning environment. In the classroom, Gameshow Pro handles the business end of playing a game show for you. We have 5 individual buzzers where students can ring in individually as well as a "team" set of buzzers (4 hooked together where any of the students can ring in for the entire team). |  |
| Equipment for donation: | |
| Bethea Balance – a plastic balance with a variety of weights that can be used to “weigh up” ethical issues in the classroom. |  |