Vernier Software & Technology
 | This article contains promotional content. (October 2014) |
Vernier Software & Technology is an educational software and equipment company based in Beaverton, Oregon that produces sensors and graphing software for use in science education. Vernier is one of the first companies[1] to popularize the use of computers and sensor technology, known as "probeware"[2] or "Microcomputer Based Labs" (MBL), during laboratory experiments.
History
Vernier Software & Technology was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1981 in the home of David Vernier, a high-school physics teacher, and Christine Vernier, a local business manager.[3]
The first software programs developed by David Vernier were scientific simulations for Apple II computers. In 1982, David developed the program Graphical Analysis, which allowed an individual to manually enter data into a table and display the data as a graph. That year the company started producing data-acquisition software and providing instructions for individuals to build their own sensors. Gradually the company expanded the product line to include software for other computers using the DOS operating system and for Macintosh computers.
In the late 1980s, the company started producing assembled temperature sensors, and many other types of sensors, such as photogates and motion detectors for studying moving objects.[4] In 1990, the Universal Lab Interface (ULI), the MultiPurpose Lab Interface (MPLI), and software to run on Macintosh and Windows computers, was introduced, quickly followed by the introduction of the Serial Box Interface.
In 1994, Vernier began collaboration with Texas Instruments to support data collection on graphing calculators, after Texas Instruments introduced the Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL). In 1996, Vernier developed Logger Pro, a general-purpose data collection and analysis computer program, which after many revisions is now called Logger Pro 3.
Current products
Vernier Software & Technology now exports products to more than 120 different countries through Vernier International,[5] based in Sarasota, Florida. The company produces 75 sensors and six data-collection interfaces.
Logger Pro 3 software collects and analyzes data from Vernier interfaces, plus
- Electronic balances from Ohaus
- GPS from Garmin
- Spectrometers from Ocean Optics[6]
- Gas chromatographs developed in collaboration with Seacoast Science[7]
Other strategic partnerships for STEM education include the development of an adapter with Lego Education, which allows sensors to be used with Lego Mindstorms NXT;[8] and SensorDAQ, a sensor interface developed with National Instruments that may be used with LabVIEW.
Company
The company is located in a LEED gold-certified building[9] and employs approximately 100 individuals. David Vernier serves as CEO of Vernier Software & Technology and oversees product development and Christine Vernier serves as COO and oversees company operations.
United States President Barack Obama, then a presidential candidate, visited the company in May 2008.[10]
The company has won many awards, including Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon from Portland Business Journal, 100 Best Places to Work in Oregon from Oregon Business Magazine for the last 11 straight years,[11] and Best Green Companies in Oregon.[12]
Vernier Software & Technology has been engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, including the funding of the Vernier Technology Laboratory at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry[13] and many other educational, environmental, and social service organizations.[14]
The Vernier Technology Awards are presented every year to seven teachers at the National Science Teachers Association convention.[15][16]
References
- ^ A History of Probeware
- ^ Concord Consortium
- ^ The Caliper, Fall 2006 Archived March 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Physics Teacher volume 30 Nov 1992 p484 (subscription required)
- ^ Sensors, Data Loggers/Interfaces & Software for Educational Science Laboratories
- ^ Ocean Optics - Spectrometers for Education
- ^ Sea Coast Science
- ^ LEGO Education Archived September 20, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ LEED Certified Directory[dead link]
- ^ OregonLive
- ^ Oregon Business - 2010 100 Best Places to Work Award
- ^ Oregon Business - 2009 Green Companies Award
- ^ Home | OMSI
- ^ Association of Fundraising Professionals - Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Award
- ^ National Science Teachers Association
- ^ eSchool News