Over 55 years of commitment to science education, born from a science fair project
Many years ago, PASCO was born from a science fair project. Hands-on, inquiry-based science is at the core of PASCO. Very simply, PASCO’s mission is to provide educators worldwide with innovative ways to teach and learn science.
PASCO started in a college dorm room, grew to a garage, and ultimately to their headquarters in Roseville, California. It has been quite a journey, and very rewarding to work with talented educators on every continent.
Today PASCO has become the global leader in developing technology-based solutions for hands-on science, serving educators and students in more than 100 countries around the world. They have worked with individual teachers to transform what happens in their labs, and with Ministries of Education to transform education for an entire country. Moreover, their physics and engineering solutions continue to be the first-choice at colleges and universities around the world.
“It’s been a long time since that science fair project. But I can still remember that thrill of discovery, and my great wish is that we can help all students have the opportunity of an authentic science experience. At every age and in every country. We hope you will give us the privilege to work with you.”
— Paul Stokstad, President, PASCO Scientific
Electron Charge-to-Mass Ratio System
This system reproduces J.J Thompson’s landmark experiment to calculate the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron. A very sharp and visible electron beam within the vacuum tube allows for its radius (R) to be easily measured using the built-in fluorescent scale. The system also provides a measurement for the accelerating potential (V) applied to the electron gun as well as the magnetic field (B) produced from applying a current to the Helmholtz coils. With these measurements students can then accurately calculate the electron’s charge to mass ratio using the formula e/m=2V/B2R2
SE-9629 – Complete system with e/m tube and power supplies
Photoelectric Effect System
Planck’s constant is a central quantity in quantum mechanics and its discovery was one of the greatest breakthroughs in understanding the nature of light. With this system your students will be able to perform the photoelectric experiment to determine Planck’s Constant to within 5%. Students will also be able to verify that stopping voltage is independent of intensity and find the characteristics of the photodiode. Can be used with the 850 Interface and Capstone software
SE-6614 – Basic System, includes Mercury Light Source with Hg tube
SE-6609 – Basic System plus DC Current Amplifier and DC Power Supply
Microwave Optics
The transmitter emits a large 3 cm wavelength that makes it easy for students to visualize and understand electromagnetic interactions. The system can be quickly adjusted with magnetic mounting components, rotatable transmitters and receivers and a Goniometer with rotatable arms featuring built-in degree and millimeter scales. Durably designed, the system will provide years of trouble free labs with components made of either cast-die aluminum or stainless steel.
WA-9314C – Basic System for investigation electromagnetic interactions
WA-9316A – Advanced System includes accessories for Brewster Angle and Bragg Diffraction experiments
Shoot the Target
Your students will ask you to repeat this demo over-and-over again. The suspense of waiting for the target-to-drop and for the gun-to-shoot will mesmerize your students. At the instant the projectile is shot from the launcher the target is dropped. The ball will consistently hit the bull’s-eye of the falling target as both objects accelerate downwards at the same rate.
ME-6853 – Shoot-the-Target System
Ring Launcher
The ‘launched’ ring may not make it to the moon, but it will fly an impressive 2 meters straight up. The projectile is propelled by the Lorentz Force that arises from the interaction between the alternating magnetic field of the coil and the current induced in the ring. The Ring Launcher is a classic demonstration that can include 5 rings of different metals and dimensions.
EM-8661 – Ring Launcher
EM-8662 – Ring Launcher Accessories
