Equipment

Collect aquatic macroinvertebrates using this kick net.  A single kick net is provided, and 3+ students work together to collect a sample using the kick net. Refer to  Penn State Extension  for kick net instructions. If you need sorting supplies, identification charts, and lesson plan ideas, request Advancing Science lab kit 141 Stream Study: Macroinvertebrates as Stream Health Indicators.  

The instructor must have a valid  PA fishing license  to remove macroinvertebrates from the stream. If you are working with students aged 16 and older, the instructor must also file for an  educational exemption permit  from PA Fish and Boat. 

Collect aquatic macroinvertebrates using this D-Net. A single D-Net is provided which is ideal if the instructor is collecting organisms to bring to their classroom. If you are working with students in the stream, consider requesting the 3050 - Kick Net instead. If you need sorting supplies, identification charts, and lesson plan ideas, request Advancing Science lab 141 Stream Study: Macroinvertebrates as Stream Health Indicators.   

The instructor must have a valid  PA fishing license  to remove macroinvertebrates from the stream. If you are working with students aged 16 and older, the instructor must also file for an  educational exemption permit  from PA Fish and Boat. 

Collect terrestrial insects in the field using this class set of 8 sweep nets.  Refer to Advancing Science lab kit 003 - Insect Field Study *Schoolyard Study* for instructions. 

Use this class set of 8 transparency tubes to monitor the clarity of stream water. Measure additional physical parameters of stream health using Advancing Science lab kit 150 - Stream Study: Physical Assessment. 

Use this class set of 25 binoculars, harnesses, and field guides to observe the birds in your schoolyard. Refer to Advancing Science lab kit 005 - Bird-watching Basics *Schoolyard Study* for lesson ideas.  

Place HoboWare Data Loggers anywhere to collect temperature (-20°C to 70°C in air 0°C to 50°C in water) and light (0 to 320,000 Lux) data for an extended period of time. These rugged devices can be left outdoors and submerged (up to a depth of 30m). Set the data collection parameters to measure temperature and light at your desired frequency, from 1 sample/second to 1 sample/18 hours. Three data loggers and a USB computer adaptor are provided.   Download the free HoboWare software  to set up the loggers and retrieve the data.  The data can be viewed in the HoboWare software or downloaded as a spreadsheet. Data loggers support experiments that require long term data collection. 

Use this class set of 8 measuring wheels to measure your schoolyard in feet/inches. 

Use this class set of 8 garbage grabbers to clean up your schoolyard. 

Use this kit to monitor weather conditions in your school yard. The kit includes 5 each of the following weather tools: thermometer, barometer, hygrometer, anemometer (digital and analog), and wind vanes. Instrument instructions are included with the kit and also in Advancing Science lab kit 401 - Weather Tools. 

Use this class set of 8 rain gauges to monitor schoolyard rainfall. Refer to Advancing Science lesson 402 Rain Gauges for lesson ideas and how to prepare your students for the CoCoRaHS citizen science project. Visit the CoCoRaHS website to learn how to purchase a low-cost rain gauge to install in your schoolyard for year-round precipitation monitoring.  

Available in 50, 100, 250, 400, 600, and 1000mL. 

Available in 50, 100, 250, 400, 600, and 1000mL. 

Available in 10mL. 

Available in 25mL.

Available in 100mL. 

Available in 500 and 1000mL. 

Available in 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000mL. 

Available in 50, 100, and 250mL. 

This set of 12 simple microscopes (20x) is ideal for field work for all ages as well as training young students to use a microscope. No power is needed and simply move the barrel up or down to focus. Additional sets of these microscopes are available if you need one scope per student. 

This set of 12 bug magnifiers allows top and bottom viewing of critters.  

Use this class set of up to 12 compound microscopes with 10x ocular lenses and 4, 10, and 40x objective lenses. A variety of prepared slides are available as well as blank slides, cover slips, and pipettes.  

Refer to Advancing Science lessons 071, 072, 083, 115, 124, and 201 for microscope-based lesson plans.   

Use this class set of 12 cell phone holders for compound microscopes. The holders slide on over the ocular and are adjustable for XX diameter oculars. Students use their phones to capture pictures of the microscopic image, students can then annotate and edit the images using any photo editing tool. Borrow these cell phone holders to use with your own microscopes or borrow Advancing Science microscopes.   

Use this class set of 10 Vernier Gas Pressure Sensors to monitor pressure changes of a gas in chemistry and biology experiments. These wired sensors work with the Vernier GoLink and an internet-connected student device or the Vernier LabQuest 2, let your Mobile Educator know which interface you prefer.  Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the Gas Pressure Sensors. 

Use this class set of 10 Vernier Motion Detectors to measure position, velocity, and acceleration of moving objects. The Motion Detector uses ultrasound to measure the position of carts, balls, people, and other objects between 15 cm and 6 m away. These wired sensors work with the Vernier LabQuest 2 which will be included with this equipment loan.  Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the Motion Detectors. 

Use this class set of 10 Vernier Photogates to study free fall, rolling objects, collisions, and pendulums. These wired sensors work with the Vernier LabQuest 2 which will be included with this equipment loan.  Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the Photogates.   

Use this class set of 9 Vernier SpectroVis Plus Spectrophotometers to measure wavelengths from 380 nm to 950 nm. These wired sensors work with the Vernier LabQuest 2 which will be included with this equipment loan, cuvettes are included with the equipment. Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the SpectroVis Plus.    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier Temperature Probes to measure temperature in the lab and in the field.  These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the GoDirect Bluetooth Temperature Probes.     

Use this class set of 10 Vernier Surface Temperature Probes to measure temperature in the lab and in the field. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device. Visit  Vernier's website  for more details on the GoDirect Bluetooth Surface Temperature Probes.     

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect Conductivity Probes to determine the ionic content of an aqueous solution by measuring its electrical conductivity. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device. Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Bluetooth Conductivity Probes .     

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect CO2 Gas Sensors to measure gaseous carbon dioxide concentration levels, air temperature, and relative humidity. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Bluetooth Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensors .    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect Magnetic Field Sensors to measure magnetic fields. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Magnetic Field Sensors.    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect Force Sensors to measure the force created by various objects. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Force Sensors.    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect pH Sensors to measure the pH of substances. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect pH Sensors.    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect Light and Color Sensors to measure light and color. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Light and Color Sensors.    

Use this class set of 10 Vernier GoDirect Dissolved Oxygen Sensors to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. These Bluetooth sensors connect wirelessly (or via USB) to an internet-connected student device.  Visit Vernier's website for more details on the  GoDirect Dissolved Oxygen Sensors.