Jan 10th, 2017 — Roseville, CA

The British International School of Houston Creates Deeper Connections in Science utilizing Wireless Sensors and Equipment from PASCO Scientific

Easy-to-use wireless solutions and cross-platform software simplify lab setups and deepen conceptual understanding.

Through its innovative, interdisciplinary approach to science and technology, the British International School of Houston (BISH) is dedicated to teaching the next generation of innovators, building the skills students will need for jobs in the 21^st century. To help facilitate this goal, BISH has purchased cutting-edge wireless sensors and dynamics carts from PASCO Scientific for its science classes in grades 6–12.

Students have already begun using the wireless PASCO Smart Carts and wireless sensors, along with the SPARKvue^® data collection and analysis software. PASCO technologies enable inquiry-based learning and expose students to practical, hands-on problem solving. Through this, students develop creativity, curiosity, resilience, resourcefulness, collaboration and confidence to pave the way to a wide-open future.

“We were seeking novel techniques to increase innovation and support a constructivist approach to teaching. We’re also now a 1:1 school, so we wanted tools that are compatible with multiple devices,” said Andrew Derry, Principal at BISH. “We chose to partner with PASCO because of the ease of use of the sensors and software. With the wireless sensors, students can now easily collect data and stream it to any device, which is a big improvement over what we were doing before. Because students can see the data and how it relates to what’s happening before them, they can directly connect their observations with scientific theory. We’re already starting to see students making deeper connections and more quickly.”

The wireless line — which includes pH, temperature, pressure, force/acceleration, conductivity, light, voltage, and current sensors — is compatible with multiple platforms, including Windows^®, Mac^®, iPad^® and iPhone^®, Android™ tablets and phones, and Chromebooks™. Because the sensors simplify lab setup and remove the clutter of cables, students can spend more time exploring, and perform experiments that were difficult or impossible before.

“This is just the beginning,” said Gavin Rayner, a physics teacher at BISH “Our long-term goal is that students will be as familiar with using the wireless sensors for data collection as they are with using a pencil. We aim to blur the lines between subjects for a deeper conceptual understanding. These sensors are the first step in doing so.”

About British International School of Houston:

The British International School of Houston is Houston’s premier independent school. Serving children from Pre-K to 12th grade, learning and achievement in the school is supported by collaborations with The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and FIRST^® LEGO^® League. These collaborations have allowed BISH to fully embed STEAM programming throughout all grades. The school recently opened a new 34-acre campus featuring purpose driven technology supported by Apple, customizable maker spaces, state-of-the-art science labs, four athletic fields, an aquatic center, two NCAA regulation size gymnasiums, and a 550-seat performing arts theater designed in collaboration with Juilliard. The school is part of Nord Anglia Education (NAE), the world’s premium schools organization. With 43 international schools around the world, including China, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North America, NAE educates more than 37,000 students globally. Visit www.bishouston.org to learn more.

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