Vernier Science Education

09/03/2026

A skateboard accelerating down a hill. A shopping cart rolling to a stop. Two bumper cars colliding. Students observe these events every day, but collecting real-time data helps them move beyond observation to explain the physics of what's happening and why.

Our latest blog walks through three hands-on investigations using the Dynamics Cart and Track System with Go Direct® Sensor Carts: “Newton's Second Law,” “Momentum and Collisions,” and “Impulse-Momentum Theorem.”

Each investigation connects everyday phenomena to quantitative data students collect themselves.

Read the full blog:

Whether it's a skateboard accelerating down a hill, a shopping cart rolling to a stop, or two bumper cars colliding, motion is constantly changing in...

09/02/2026

Every August, spends an afternoon with Schoolhouse Supplies, packing school supply kits for students in Portland. This year our team packed 986 kits!

A well-stocked backpack at the start of the year is a small thing that makes a real difference for a kid walking into a new classroom. It's one of those volunteer days that reminds you why community partnerships matter, and we're grateful for the years we've been able to be part of it.

Thank you to Schoolhouse Supplies for having us!

09/02/2026

Happy back to school from !

Pictured are the people who answer your calls, chats, and emails: real former classroom teachers who have taught chemistry, physics, biology, and more. When you reach out with a question, you're talking to someone who has been exactly where you are.

Have a question as you're getting started this fall? We're here: https://www.vernier.com/support/

Here's to a great school year!

09/01/2026

School is back in session, and these three free investigations are ready when you are.

The 2026 3D Investigation Sampler includes phenomena-based investigations in biology, chemistry, and physics, each using Go Direct® wireless sensors and Graphical Analysis®.

Here's a taste:
Biology: Can a seed really undergo cellular respiration before it even sprouts? Investigate gas exchange in germinating seeds and compare cellular respiration across plants and animals using CO₂ and O₂ sensors.
Chemistry: Many clear solutions look identical—so how can we tell them apart? Prepare salt solutions of unique molarity, test your results, and explore what conductivity reveals about particles in solution.
Physics: How can a world-record sprint produce three completely different-looking graphs? Take a motion detector outside and use your own movement to model position, velocity, and acceleration, all at once.

Download free: https://engage.vernier.com/2026-3d-investigation-download

And don't forget, the Science in Motion Sweepstakes is still open! Enter for a chance to win the sensors that bring these investigations to life: https://gleam.io/fhym1/2026-science-in-motion-sweepstakes

08/28/2026

Here's a to send you into the weekend!
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Answer: C) Tungsten! With a melting point of 3,422°C, tungsten holds the record. It is so heat-resistant that it's used in light bulb filaments, rocket nozzles, and welding electrodes.

08/27/2026

The first investigations of the year build a foundation for students to go from curious to confident, offering students opportunities to explore, ask questions, and get familiar with the tools.

Here are three simple sensor experiments to build strong science habits from day one →
Read more: https://www.vernier.com/blog/3-simple-sensor-experiments-to-build-strong-science-habits/

08/26/2026

As you kick off the school year, here are 3 hands-on, low-prep sensor activities to start your year with curiosity!

Students track temperature change in real time, create position vs. time graphs by walking toward or away from a sensor, and investigate how different materials interact with light. Each activity introduces essential science practices while giving students an early win with real data.

Read the full blog:

The first week of school is a great time to lean into student curiosity, help everyone get comfortable with your lab routines and tools, and...

08/25/2026

Two engaging webinars this week. Here's what's coming up:

Toss It, Walk It, Graph It: Simple Motion Experiments to Start the Year Strong
Today, August 25 | 4:00–5:00 p.m. PDT / 7:00–8:00 p.m. EDT
Three classroom educators from the Vernier Trendsetters Community share experiments they use in the first weeks of school, from walking a position-time graph with your own body to investigating energy transformations of a tossed ball. You will be sent to NSTA to register for this webinar. You may be asked to create an account.
Register here: https://my.nsta.org/event/sponsored-web-seminar-toss-it-walk-it-graph-it-simple-motion-experiments-to-s

What's New: A Showcase of Vernier's Latest Sensors and Tools
Tomorrow, August 26 | 4:00–4:45 p.m. PDT / 7:00–7:45 p.m. EDT
Tour the latest additions to our sensor lineup across environmental science, physics, and human physiology, and learn how these tools expand what's possible in your labs.
Register here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5440459/774963C5F4208A03D11DAF411664E2D2

All free. All designed by educators for educators.

Please note: Vernier webinars are now delivered using the ON24 platform! As a browser-based system, you simply click to join–no apps to download. To sign up, you’ll be directed to an ON24-hosted registration page.

08/21/2026

Making the most of your STEM budget this year? Our blog, "Five Ways to Make the Most of Your District's STEM Budget," has practical ideas you can actually use, from doing a quick equipment audit to tapping into free expert-led webinars for PD to making the case for more hands-on science funding down the road.

Check it out for more ideas as you head into the school year: https://www.vernier.com/blog/five-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-districts-stem-budget/

Want the bigger picture? Grab our free guide, Maximizing STEM Impact with Strategic Investments: A Practical Guide for Budget Conscious Districts https://engage.vernier.com/maximizing_stem_investments_landing_page

Are you planning on making new STEM investments this year or looking for ways to get more from the STEM technology you already have? Vernier's...

08/20/2026

The Science in Motion Sweepstakes is open for one more month, so make sure you enter to win prizes!

When students collect their own data, ask their own questions, and see results in real time, something shifts. That's the science Vernier is built for, and this fall, we're giving 15 educators the tools to hit the ground running.

Entering takes just a few minutes and there are lots of ways to earn entries.

Enter now: https://gleam.io/fhym1/2026-science-in-motion-sweepstakes

When students collect their own data, ask their own questions, and see results respond in real time, something shifts. That's the science Vernier is built for, and this fall, we're giving 15 educators the tools to hit the ground running.

The Science in Motion Sweepstakes is open now through September 18. Entering takes just a few minutes and there are lots of ways to earn entries, so your odds are better than you think.

The grand prize winner gets their choice of one Classroom Pack of Go Direct® Temperature Probes or one Dynamics Cart and Track System with Go Direct Sensor Carts, a Vernier e-book, two hours of professional development, a one-year Graphical Analysis® Pro subscription, a t-shirt, and Mo the Motion Detector plushie. Plus, 14 more educators will take home a Go Direct® sensor or Vernier swag.

Enter now: https://gleam.io/fhym1/2026-science-in-motion-sweepstakes

Want a freebie right now? Download free resources here: https://www.vernier.com/resources/free-downloadables/

Or grab three free 3D investigations written by Vernier Trendsetters: https://engage.vernier.com/2026-3d-investigation-download