Science and Data Acquisition with
Vernier Probeware
Measuring Temperature – Level 1
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What You’ll Learn…
 How to use Vernier temperature sensors
 How to use the Vernier LabQuest interface
 How to use Vernier Logger Pro software to record and analyze
scientific data
 How to conduct experiments using the scientific method
 How experimental variables affect temperature
Stuff You’ll Need…
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Vernier temperature probe
“Beaker” for water
Vernier LabQuest interface
Computer with Logger Pro software
Vernier experiment activity sheets
Vernier, LabQuest and Logger Pro are all registered trademarks of Vernier Software and Technology
© Creative Learning Systems
www.creativelearningsystems.com
Before you continue…
 Go back to ShawSTEMLab.weebly.com and download the Word
Document entitled 01 A Hot Hand
 Save this document into your group’s file.
 On this Word document is where you will answer all the questions
from this PowerPoint and record your observations and notes for
this experiment.
Vernier, LabQuest and Logger Pro are all registered trademarks of Vernier Software and Technology
© Creative Learning Systems
www.creativelearningsystems.com
Research/Documentation…
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Ensure that you are writing everyday about what you do and accomplish.
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Formulate a hypothesis before you begin to record data. What do you think
your experimental data will reveal? Remember – it doesn’t matter whether
your hypothesis is right or wrong, only that you have a hypothesis to test.
 Hypothesis must be in an If/Then format
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Describe each step of your experiment.
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Record all of your experimental data.
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Take photographs (print screens)of your experiment.
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Answer the questions that follow each activity.
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Rewrite and answer these questions on
the document you downloaded from the
STEM Lab Website
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Where does the word ‘thermometer” come from?
Who invented the earliest temperature sensors?
What is a Thermoreceptor?
What does a Thermoreceptor regulate?
Where are Thermoreceptors located?
What software do you use to record your data?
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What You Should Know…
Who cares about temperature?
…EVERYBODY!!!!
Hardly a day goes by when we don’t measure temperature one
way or another. We measure temperature with sensors called
thermometers. The name comes from the Greek words thermo,
meaning temperature and meter, meaning measure.
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What You Should Know…
Since measuring temperature is so important, scientists and
inventors have developed many types of temperature sensors.
You probably know that most substances expand when they get
hot and contract when they get cold. Inventors began exploring
ways to measure this effect as early as the 11th century. One of
the earliest temperature sensors to use this principal was invented
by Galileo in the 16th century.
This is the same principle that is used in the
mercury and alcohol thermometers that are still
in common use.
Galileo Thermometer
Mercury Thermometer
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What You Should Know…
Modern technology has brought us many, many new ways to
measure temperature. We can now measure temperature using
electronic sensors, infrared scanners and liquid crystals just to
name a few.
The type of sensor you’ll be using for the activities in this Learning
Launcher is called a thermistor. Thermistors were invented by
Samuel Ruben in 1930. A thermistor uses electrical resistance to
measure temperature. Thermistors are most commonly used in
the digital thermistat you may use to control temperature in your
home.
Thermistor
Vernier Thermistor-based Temperature Probes
There’s still one very important type of temperature sensor
we haven’t discussed yet. One that you use every single day.
Can you guess what it is? Flip to the next slide to find out…
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What You Should Know…
…YOU!!!
Or, more specifically, a special type of nerve cell called a
thermoreceptor. In mammals such as humans, thermoreceptors are
concentrated in the skin. But there are also thermoreceptors that
regulate your internal systems. One type of thermoreceptor responds to
cold and another responds to heat. Together, they’re what make you
sweat when you’re hot and seek shelter or grab a sweater when you’re
cold. And they trigger emergency sensory alarms when you come in
contact with extreme hot or cold temperatures!
Can you imagine trying to survive without these sensitive temperature
sensors providing your body with a constant stream of data?
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What You Should Know…
The Scientific Method
You’ve studied the scientific method before in your Science classes. But,
before we start to use our Vernier probeware to collect data, let’s review
it one more time:
1. State the question you intend to answer through your research and
experimentation.
2. Form a hypothesis – a prediction of what you think you’ll find.
-If/Then format
3. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment or study.
4. Analyze your results.
5. Draw a conclusion and report your findings.
Be sure to capture all of these steps
in your Word Document
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What You Should Know…
The activities in this Learning Launcher use the Vernier temperature
probe, the LabQuest interface and Logger Pro software on your
computer.
Temperature Probe
LabQuest Interface
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What You Should Know…
Now let’s explore the Logger Pro software. It’s what you’ll use to record
and analyze your experimental data.
Launch Logger Pro software. Then under the File menu, click Open and
select the Middle School with Vernier folder. Click on “01 Hot Hand”.
Ensure the temperature is in Celsius.
Follow the directions for the
experiment on the document you
downloaded from the STEM Lab
Website.
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Do It!
As you plan your activity and conduct your experiment, you may come
up with interesting questions or ideas to explore about temperature.
That’s great!
After you’ve concluded the experiment, you may create your own
experiment. Be sure you follow the steps of the Scientific Method!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
State your Question
Formulate a Hypothesis (If/Then format)
Design your experiment
Observe and Collect Data
Analyze Data
State your conclusion
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