Tag: Elementary

The first week of the Nova Scotia Training road show was a great success!

Facilitated by veteran PASCO trainer Glenn Starkey, the grade 4 to 6 teachers – representing over 20 schools per session – had an engaging time investigating temperature changes in water and reflective properties of light, as well as learning how to collect measurements with their own weather station. Helping to support Glenn at each session were Craig Ecclestone from AYVA Educational Solutions, and Eric Therrien and Christine Christensen from the Nova Scotia Department of Education.

Over the course of the week, eight separate 3-hour hands-on training sessions were conducted, with representatives from nearly half of the elementary schools across the province. The training was based on the Airlink, the general science sensor and the weather anemometer. The post training feedback was overwhelmingly positive with many teachers commenting that it was the best professional development they ever had to promote scientific inquiry.

Teachers at the Strait regional district school board were surprised and intrigued to discover that contrary to their predictions, a standing cup of water will almost always be lower than the surrounding air. — Teachers at the Strait Regional District School Board were surprised and intrigued to discover that contrary to their predictions, the temperature of a standing cup of water will almost always be lower than the surrounding air.

Reaching towards the ceiling a participant at the Halifax regional district school board investigates variations in light levels throughout the room. — Reaching towards the ceiling, a participant at the Halifax Regional District School Board investigates variations in light levels throughout the room.

With Glenn Starkey at the front of the class a teacher at the Strait regional district school board contemplates the effect of a drop of water on the probe's measurement of temperature. — With Glenn Starkey at the front of the class, a teacher at the Strait Regional District School Board contemplates the effect of a drop of water on the probe’s measurement of temperature.

PASCO Global Training Session

Craig Ecclestone had the pleasure of participating in a PASCO global training session during the week of July 24th. Attendees came from all corners of the globe including Australia, United Kingdom and Bangladesh. Despite enduring an unusually hot California summer with day time temperatures exceeding 42° Celsius, a great time was had by all. The packed agenda included training on PASCO’s newest products, advanced physics experiments and the latest in Capstone and SPARKvue.

PASCO’s ambitious program to bring innovative products to market at a reduced cost was clearly evident. The new Smart Cart – a revolutionary twist on a classic product – was just one example of the many exciting offerings PASCO has – and will continue to bring -to the classroom.

A Highlight of the trip was touring PASCO’s state-of-the-art facility where Craig met PASCO’s team of dedicated employees who design and manufacturer most of the company’s products.

PASCO Scientific Wins the ‘ISTE 2016 Best of Show Award!’

On August third, PASCO Scientific won Teach & Learnings ‘International Society for Technology in Education 2016 Best of Show Award’ for their cutting edge wireless sensors. These sensors connect directly to computers, tablets, smart phones and Chromebooks which provide the freedom and flexibility without compromise for a lower price.

You can read the complete article here or find out more about PASCO’s range of wireless sensors here.

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IB Conference of the Americas

IB Conference of Americas — Pictured above: Dianne Beveridge, President of AYVA Educational Solutions, Craig Ecclestone, PASCO Product Specialist at AYVA and Humberto Medina, Export Manager for the Americas,PASCO Scientific

The IB Conference of the Americas, organized by the International Baccalaureate Organization, was held July 14-17 at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto. PASCO, together with AYVA, was proud to showcase their new wireless sensors and dataloggers – a key requirement in the IB curriculum where students are encouraged to make connections between their studies and the real world. It was a fabulous professional development opportunity for coordinators, teachers, district and school board representatives to promote best practices and to develop ideas to foster inquiry-based learning. We too enjoyed the inspiring featured speakers and breakout presenters.

STEM Learning Must Go Beyond Memorizing Facts and Theories

Read Steven Korte’s article ‘STEM Learning Must Go Beyond Memorizing Facts and Theories‘ recently posted in ‘The Edvocate‘. In this article, Steven Korte – PASCO Scientific’s CEO – offers 9 points to consider when a school or district implements a STEM program.

Access the full article here: http://www.theedadvocate.org/stem-learning-must-go-beyond-memorizing-facts-theories/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email

PASCO Wireless Sensors & SPARKVue – Changing the Way Teachers Teach Science

“For science teachers who are looking to change their classroom practices and give their students more hands on experience, you need to consider using the latest wireless temperature sensors from PASCO. Using the PASCO Wireless Sensor technology will change the way you teach ….”

Read the entire review blog by Brian Friedlander from Assistive Tek LLC here: http://assistivetek.blogspot.com/2016/06/pasco-scientific-wireless-sensors.html

Innovative Science Curriculum in 300 Nova Scotia Schools with PASCO

Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) Chooses PASCO Science Solutions to Support an Innovative Curriculum in Grades 4–6
EECD will provide the SPARKvue science learning application and PASPORT sensors to nearly 300 elementary schools for hands-on, inquiry-based learning.

May 7, 2016

In 2015, the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development launched an Action Plan for Education to renew, refocus, and rebuild the education system for the first time in a generation. As part of its efforts to create an innovative and streamlined curriculum in grades 4–6, EECD has purchased PASCO® Scientific science solutions for nearly 300 elementary schools from PASCO Canada/AYVA Educational Solutions Ltd. The PASCO science solutions will be part of the Department of Education’s curriculum resource kit for grades 4–6. It will include SPARKvue®, a powerful yet easy to use science application that delivers data collection, visualization, and analysis tools in a content-rich, standards-based science learning and sharing environment. It will also include the PASPORT General Science Sensor, Weather Sensor, and Weather/Anemometer Sensor, as well as the AirLink interface, which will allow students to wirelessly connect the PASPORT sensors to Chromebooks or iPads.

Professional development began in May and the new streamlined curriculum resource kit s will be introduced to students in the fall. “Sensor-based investigations support inquiry-based learning and help students develop scientific literacy and technological literacy,” said Eric Therrien, information, communication and technology (ICT) mathematics and sciences consultant at the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. “The SPARKvue software and PASPORT sensors will allow students to collect, visualize, analyze, record, and assess data in and out of the classroom — all with the touch of a finger. Using these tools for data logging, students will have the opportunity to think and act like scientists, which will improve their learning and retention of core scientific concepts as well as their higher order cognitive skill development.”

Click here to read the complete article.

2016 Global Partners Conference at PASCO

Once again, the AYVA Team had the opportunity to network with PASCO distributors from around the world. This year’s theme was Re-Imagine the Science Classroom and we were excited to share stories of how PASCO’s new wireless sensors and dataloggers are fostering STEM education and engaging more students.

During the Awards Ceremony, AYVA was honoured to have our efforts recognized by PASCO’s Management Team. We want to thank everyone at PASCO for their hospitality and we can’t wait until next time.

Ayva Sales Meeting Collage — AYVA Sales Meeting Collage

NSTA Reviews PASCO’s Wireless Temperature Sensor

PASCO’s new Wireless Temperature Sensor was put to the test by NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) Blog author Martin Horejsi.

He touched base on many aspects of the temperature sensor from; cost, battery life (and how easily it can be replaced), to ease of use and signal distance. Overall the results were great and you can check it out here.

You can find more details about the Wireless Temperature Sensor on our PASCO Wireless page.

AYVA supports MyClassNeeds.ca

Many students across Canada will have a richer learning experience this year with the addition of classroom supplies that bring education out of the textbook and into curious hands.

AYVA is an Education industry supporter of MyClassNeeds.ca. The Canadian charity helps connect deserving K-12 classroom projects with interested donors through a crowdfunding website. In its first few years, it has helped teachers in publicly-funded schools purchase everything from a cooling unit to raise salmon eggs, to electric motors, to rocket supplies.

Mrs. Sekhon in Surrey, B.C. teaches children in primary classes. She knew that adding butterfly larvae would be a great addition to her class. “We have a diverse group of students who love playing outdoors and exploring nature. We have many English language learner students who have joined us recently and this is a great hands-on way to learning about nature, life cycles and basic needs of local animals, without a language barrier.”

Through MyClassNeeds.ca and supporters like AYVA, Mrs. Sekhon’s students will marvel at the transformation from larvae to butterflies this year.

To see more, go to MyClassNeeds.ca.