Proposal for handheld data acquisition devices:
Executive Summary
 Include options without details and costs. Include students affected by option and number of
courses affected initially by section
 Refer to assessment data that indicate a need
 Can we point to something in capital budgeting that shows this as a need? Probably not.
 Plan 2013: 1.1 Maintain and enhance Cameron’s commitment to providing programs of the
highest quality in instruction, research, and service to better meet the needs of the citizens of
the region.
 From ACS certification: 7.1 Problem-Solving Skills. The ultimate goal of chemistry
education is to provide students with the tools to solve problems. Students should be able to
define problems clearly, develop testable hypotheses, design and execute experiments,
analyze data using appropriate statistical methods, and draw appropriate conclusions. In this
process, students should apply their understanding of all chemistry subdisciplines. Students
should use appropriate laboratory skills and instrumentation to solve problems, while
understanding the fundamental uncertainties in experimental measurements.
 Two primary vendors – Pasco and Vernier
Introduction
 Needs identification
o Update data acquisition and handling skills of students. Requires ability to transfer
acquired data to standard productivity software (Word, Excel, etc.) for data handling.
o Extend shared equipment usage between multiple courses by providing affordable
transportability between physical spaces, both inside and outside of buildings
o Extend shared equipment usage by using common data acquisition devices that can be
connected to a variety of sensors
o Address chemistry, physics, and environmental instructional instrumentation needs
through shared systems
o Provide portable systems that can be transported to lecture rooms for demonstration
purposes – includes emulation system that can be projected

Plan
o Option 1: Purchase 16 handheld data acquisition devices with appropriate sensors to
handle primarily CHEM 1471 needs with some use in CHEM 1361. Chemistry
sensor use could easily be scheduled to avoid conflict between the CHEM 1361 and
CHEM 1471.
o Option 2: Purchase 32 handheld data acquisition devices with 16 chemistry sensors
to handle both CHEM 1471/CHEM 1361 (16 handhelds and 16 sensor sets) with the
other 16 handhelds with sensors to be deployed in the physics wing (already own over
$10000 worth of devices that would work with the Pasco handhelds)
o Option 3: Purchase 48 handheld data acquisition devices with 16 chemistry sensors
to handle both CHEM 1471/CHEM 1361 (32 handhelds and 16 sensor sets) with the
other 16 handhelds to be deployed in the physics wing (already own over $13000
worth of devices that would work with the Pasco handhelds). Chemistry sensor use
could easily be scheduled to avoid conflict between the CHEM 1361 and CHEM
1471.
o Option 4: Purchase 32 handheld data acquisition devices with appropriate sensors to
be used in CHEM 1471/CHEM 1364 and 16 handheld devices with sensors to be used
in physics.
o Option 5: Purchase 32 handheld data acquisition devices with appropriate sensors to
be used in CHEM 1471/CHEM 1364 and 16 handheld devices with sensors to be used
in physics. Include the purchase of four more handheld devices with four gas
chromatographs and spectrometers for use in CHEM 3314/3324 (organic chemistry)
and CHEM 3343 (organic analysis) as well as other upper-division laboratories.

Ability to use immediately
o Both vendors provide free-of-charge labs that may be used
o The Department of Physical Sciences already publishes its own General Chemistry I
and II and Physics I and II lab manuals. Incorporating new experiments is relatively
easy.
o Not all currently published experiments would be changed out. Several are readily
amenable to including the handheld data acquisition devices and some others may be
added.
o The Department of Physical Sciences handles both physics and chemistry courses and
at least two faculty members teach in both areas on a fairly regular basis. This type of
instrumentation could also be used in other existing courses such as Water and Waste
Water Analysis.

Students affected
o Headcount: Annual enrollment (summer/fall/spring) based on actual and projections:
 Chemistry 1361/1471:
 Physics 1115/2015/1215/2025:
o Types of students:
 Chemistry, physics, biology majors; those intending engineering futures
 Pre-nursing (approx. count); need to be able to use electronic devices well
Statement of the Problem
The Department of Physical Sciences at Cameron University annually provides chemistry and
physics laboratory instruction for approximately 800 freshman-level and 150 upper-division lab
students in chemistry and physics courses. Students in the freshman-level courses include those
with specific interests in chemistry, physics, biology, nursing, and engineering as well as
students with more general interests. The logistics of providing laboratory manuals, equipment,
and space have been well worked out over the years. It is, however, time to update our approach
to reach students with more technologically current and flexible approaches.
Faculty involved in the general chemistry laboratories (CHEM 1361/CHEM 1471) have, for
about eight years, published in-house laboratory manuals that include locally created
experiments as well as an assortment of the modified “tried-and-true” standards. Among the
learning objectives for the general chemistry laboratories is the development in the student the
ability to acquire and manipulate numerical data using a typical computer spreadsheet, such as
Excel. To this point in the laboratory, data sets that are collected for analysis are rather minimal
due to the lack of technology to acquire data on a near-continuous basis through electronic
means.
Physics labs have been using electronic data acquisition technology for a considerable period of
time but are currently facing issues with enrollment growth (and thus limited access per student
to the technology), difficulty in maintaining functioning computers adequate for acquiring and
manipulating data, and the aging of some of the acquisition equipment. With some lab sizes
mushrooming to 24-30 students, the usual set of eight or fewer data acquisition devices makes it
increasingly difficult to provide high quality learning experiences for each student.
The Proposed Solution
Proposed here is the purchase of a set of handheld data acquisition devices with appropriate
sensors to allow the recording of numerical data on a near-continuous basis in both chemistry
and physics environments. Key aspects of the system to be acquired include:
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Easily transportable computer-independent systems to allow interchange between
chemistry and physics laboratories. Depending upon the option chosen (delineated later
in the proposal), one set of sensors would be shared within and between both
disciplines; two sets would be acquired, one for chemistry and one for physics; or three
sets would be acquired, one each for CHEM 1361 and for CHEM 1471 and one set for
physics.
Capability of functioning outdoors for data acquisition with data transfer capabilities to
flash cards, SD cards, computers, or by other means.
Immediate access to laboratory experiments based on the use of the selected equipment.
These would be modified as necessary for our local use and other experiments will be
created.
Emulation software available to allow projection of the screen for use in lecture room
demonstrations.
Consistency between lab sections. We have a preference for the same type of system to
be used both in chemistry and physics since many of the students will be in both

courses. However, this is not an absolute requirement since different vendors may
provide different opportunities for use in the two different fields.
Availability of probes to include pH, conductivity, temperature probe, voltage probe,
colorimeter or spectrometer, drop counter, gas sensor for chemistry. Physics
attachments to be considered include acceleration sensors, voltage sensors, sound
sensors, motion sensors, photogates, temperature sensors, rotary motion sensors force
sensors, and power amplifiers.
Specifics for Chemistry
General Chemistry I (CHEM 1361)
A typical CHEM 1361 schedule is comprised of fourteen weeks of experiments with a week
reserved for the final exam. Table 1 lists the experiments currently available in the lab book, the
device currently used for taking measurements, and potential upgrades in the data acquisition
device and new experiments. Implementation of the electronic sensors is more limited in the
CHEM 1361 lab than the CHEM 1471 lab primarily because of the student preparation. It is
anticipated that use would increase as our familiarity grows with the system and its capabilities.
General Chemistry II (CHEM 1471)
CHEM 1471 is considered to be the lab most capable of benefitting from the implementation of
handheld data acquisition devices and probes. The current lab format only has six weeks of
laboratory requiring numerical data acquisition. Five of the other weeks are occupied by a series
of experiments, called Qualitative Analysis, that are more observational. For several semesters
the department has been considering reducing the number of weeks of Qualitative Analysis.
The objectives of the Qualitative Analysis series of experiments can be met with fewer weeks
(currently 5-6 weeks) than currently used. Replacement labs would be in the areas of kinetics,
equilibrium, and perhaps a topic not directly related to topics covered in the lecture class.
During the Fall of 2010, three of the Qualitative Analysis laboratories were replaced on a trial
basis with one experiment dealing with kinetics and two with equilibrium (Table 2). The
kinetics experiment highlighted the need for near-continuous data acquisition with a colorimeter
or spectrometer. Currently we have on hand six working Spectronics 21-D spectrometers, but
lab time management is difficult with the small number of spectrometers and the large number of
pairs working the experiment, sometimes as high as twelve to fourteen pairs. In addition, the
Spectronics 21-D spectrometers are not easily amenable to digital data collection over time. A
colorimeter or spectrometer can also be used for the experiment dealing with finding the
equilibrium constant of a system.
In addition to the labs mentioned in the previous paragraph, there are other possible lab
replacements that would specifically reinforce a student’s concept of electrochemistry. The
current electrochemistry lab (Voltaic Cells and the Application of the Nernst Equation) was
developed in-house and added within the last two years and further exploration of other aspects
of electrochemistry would be of benefit to the student.
PHYS 1115/1215
The situation in physics (both PHYS 1115/1215 and PHYS 1215/2025) is considerably different
than that in chemistry. The physics laboratories have been using PASCO sensors for several
years. The current set-up has the following drawbacks:
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

The sensors are used with interface boxes, some still requiring SCSI cards in the
computer, that require a computer for operation.
It has become more difficult over the years to maintain functioning computers and
interface boxes.
The system is not transportable. It is currently in the PHYS 1115/2015 lab and cannot be
reasonably moved.
Some of the sensors have been used for over ten years and are starting to have reliability
problems.
The original implementation targeted eight lab pairs per section. With our current
physics enrollment this is no longer adequate as we will likely need to equip 12-16
workstations. Rather than expand the number of workstations, we could increase the size
of each group, but the important part of lab is the hands-on aspect which is difficult to
achieve with three-four people per team. The handheld approach is by far more
reasonable from a budgeting standpoint than the continuing use of the current interface
boxes in terms of expansion.
The upgrade in physics is more expensive than that in chemistry due to the significant
expenditure on ancillaries such as carts, tracks, etc. However, most of the sensors on hand can
be used with the handheld PASCO devices with the purchase of an interface cable. This could
potentially reduce the expenditure in upgrading the lab considerably. (We currently have on
hand over $13000 worth of PASCO interfaces and equipment that would be usable with the new
system.) The potential savings are considered in this proposal.
Potential Vendors and Costs
The two primary vendors of the handheld equipment are PASCO and Vernier. Other vendors are
possible, such as Measurenet, but their products are considerably more expensive and are not
transportable from lab to lab.
The pricing of this request is broken into five options in terms of priority. Each lab section is
scheduled for 16 systems in the following breakdown as that represents full space-constrained
capacity in each lab. Some trimming of budget would be realized by trimming the number to
perhaps 14, but the 16 provides backup for any equipment issues.

Option 1: CHEM 1471 is the initially targeted site for implementation of these devices
and is the focus of Option 1. Sixteen handheld devices and sixteen sets of chemistry
sensors will be acquired and can also be shared with CHEM 1361 with appropriate
scheduling.

Option 2: With the need in the physics laboratories for more equipment to replace aging
inventory and to handle increased enrollment, Option 2 includes Option 1 and adds in 16
handhelds, 16 sets of physics sensors, and 16 sets of associated equipment for physics.

Option 3: Option 3 includes Option 2 and adds 16 handheld data acquisition devices for
CHEM 1361. Sensors could be shared between CHEM 1361 and CHEM 1471 as needed.

Option 4: Option 4 includes Option 3 and includes a set of 16 chemistry sensors to be
used in CHEM 1361.

Option 5: Option 5 includes Option 4 and includes 4 more handhelds, 4 gas
chromatographs (only available through Vernier), and 4 spectrometers for use in the
organic laboratory and other upper-division chemistry courses.
A summary of estimated costs by option is provided in Table 3.
Current Experiment
Measurements, Accuracy and Precision
Using Physical Properties to Determine the
Identity of an Unknown
Sugar in Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices
Separation of a Mixture
Determination of an Empirical Chemical
Formula
Preparation of an Alum
Metathesis Reactions
Molar Stoichiometry in a Chemical
Reaction
Determination of Acetic Acid in Vinegar
Determination of the Enthalpy of Fusion of
Ice
Comparison of the Energy Content of
Fuels by Combustion
Regularities in the Properties of the
Elements
Molecular Modeling
Molar Mass of a Volatile Liquid by the
Dumas Method
Table 1. CHEM 1361 Lab Experiment List
Numerical Current Data
Proposed Data
Data
Acquisition
Acquisition
Acquired
Device
Device(s)
mass
balance
same
volume
glassware
same
mass
balance
same
volume
glassware
same
temperature thermometer
temp sensor
index of
refractometer
same
refraction
flotation
hydrometer
same
mass
balance
same
mass
balance
same
mass
volume
none
mass
volume
mass
volume
mass
temperature
mass
temperature
various
balance
glassware
none
balance
glassware
balance
buret
balance
thermometer
balance
thermometer
software
same
same
temp sensor
same
same
same
drop counter
same
temp sensor
same
temp sensor
same
various
mass
temperature
software
balance
thermometer
same
same
temp sensor
Possible Experiment
Modification
Proposed Data
Acquisition
Device(s)
none
Exploration of the Volume of an
Ideal Gas
Conductometric Titration and
Gravimetric Determination of a
Precipitate
gas sensor
conductivity
drop counter
Current Experiment
Freezing Point Depression
Separation of Ions by Chromatography
Rates of Chemical Reactions: A Clock
Reaction
Determination of the Mass Percentage of
Sodium Hypochlorite in Bleach
Determining the pKa of an Unknown Weak
Acid
Table 2. CHEM 1471 Lab Experiment List
Numerical
Current
Proposed Data
Data
Data
Acquisition
Acquired
Acquisition
Device(s)
Device
mass
balance
same
temperature thermometer
temp sensor
length
ruler
same
time
stopwatch
same
mass
volume
mass
volume
pH
none
none
none
balance
buret
balance
buret
pH meter
none
none
none
same
drop counter
same
drop counter
pH sensor
none
none
none
General Unknown: Qualitative Analysis
none
none
none
Voltaic Cells and the Application of the
Nernst Equation
voltage
volume
multimeter
glassware
voltage probe
same
Group I: Qualitative Analysis
Group II: Qualitative Analysis
Group III/IV: Qualitative Analysis
Possible Experiment
Modification
Proposed Data
Acquisition
Device(s)
The Rate of Decolorization of
Phenolphthalein (tested in Fall
2010)
The Determination of an
Equilibrium Constant (tested in
Fall 2010)
colorimeter or
spectrometer
LeChatelier’s Principle
pH sensor
gas sensor
Current probe
Electroplating Copper onto Brass
colorimeter or
spectrometer
Current Experiment
Graphing
Statistical Error in Measurement
Acceleration of a Falling Body
Vector Addition of Forces
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Acceleration on an Inclined Plane
Circular Motion – Centripetal Force
Work Done by Several Forces One of
Which is Variable
Center of Mass
Rolling Down an Incline
Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
The Simple Pendulum
Hooke’s Law & Simple Harmonic Motion
Standing Waves on a Stretched Spring
Coefficient of Linear Expansion
Detection and Observation of Sound
Waves
Table 3. PHYS 1115/2015 Lab Experiment List
Numerical
Current
Proposed Data
Data
Data
Acquisition
Acquired
Acquisition
Device(s)
Device
time
time
distance
mass
acceleration
acceleration
time
revolutions
mass
displacement
mass
distance
location
time
mass
distance
mass
time
length
mass
time
length
mass
time
temperature
stopwatch
spark tape
free fall app.
balance
acc. sensor
acc. sensor
cent. F app.
stamped wts
ruler
balance
ruler
motion
sensor
balance
m stick
balance
stopwatch
m stick
balance
stopwatch
m stick
balance
stopwatch
thermometer
sound
sensor
picket fence
photogate
acc. sensor
acc. sensor
rotary motion
sensor
motion sensor
photogate
temp. sensor
sound sensor
Possible Experiment
Modification
Proposed Data
Acquisition
Device(s)
Current Experiment
Mapping Magnetic Fields
Mapping Equipotential Lines and Electric
Field
Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s Law: Power Transfer
Wheatstone Bridge – Resistivity
Introduction to Circuits
Series and Parallel Resistances
Kirchhoff’s Circuit Rules
Capacitance-Resistance
The VOM
AC Signals and the Oscilloscope
Reflection and Refraction
Thin Lenses
Diffraction Grating and Line Spectra of the
Elements
Diffraction Patterns and the Laser
Holography
Radioactivity Simulation Experiment
Table 4. PHYS 1215/2025 Lab Experiment List
Numerical Current Data
Proposed Data
Data
Acquisition
Acquisition
Acquired
Device
Device(s)
B direction minicompass
magnetic field
sensor or 2-axis
magnetic field
sensor
voltage
multimeter
voltage probe
voltage
current
voltage
current
current
voltage
current
voltage
current
voltage
current
voltage
current
time
distance
angle
distance
distance
distance
none
activity
(calculate)
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
galvanometer
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
multimeter
stopwatch
voltage probe
oscilloscope
track
voltage probe
voltage probe
track
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
voltage probe
Possible Experiment
Modification
Proposed Data
Acquisition
Device(s)
Course Affected
CHEM 1361
CHEM 1471
Option 1
Shared sensors with
CHEM 1471
Table 3. Estimated Cost by Option
Option 2
Option 3
16 handhelds, sensors to
Shared sensors with
be shared with CHEM
CHEM 1471
1471
Option 4
Option 5
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
(including spectrometer
from Vernier)
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
chemistry sensors
PHYS 1115/2015
PHYS 1215/2025
-
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
physics sensors, 16 sets of
associated equipment
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
physics sensors, 16 sets of
associated equipment
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
physics sensors, 16 sets of
associated equipment
CHEM 3314/3324
CHEM 3343
-
-
-
-
16 handhelds, 16 sets of
physics sensors, 16 sets of
associated equipment
4 handhelds, 4 gas
chromatographs (Vernier
only), 4 visible spectrometers
16000
25000
32000
27000
5300
4800
9000
13000
10000
16000
25000
(19000 with colorimeter)
48000
52000
(46000 with colorimeter)
53300
56800
(50800 with colorimeter)
62300
69800
(63800 with colorimeter)
79800
(73800 with colorimeter)
Incremental Cost from
Previous Option
PASCO
Vernier
Total Cost
PASCO
Vernier
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
The spectrometer is the preferred mode of collecting visible light information due to its ability to both scan and take single wavelength data over a wide range. The
colorimeter only takes data at four wavelengths. Estimates that include a Vernier spectrometer are given above due to its reasonable cost (about $450 per
handheld). The PASCO estimates include a colorimeter only, since moving to a spectrometer with PASCO would cost over $1000 per handheld.
Under Option 5, only Vernier provides a gas chromatograph to fulfill that option so the PASCO cost estimate is not included.
The Options are not intended to indicate the years to full implementation, only a sequencing of purchases. The order of the purchases can be modified as necessary
to reflect instructional needs and funding availability.