Scopes for Students

Would you like your science fair projects to go a little more “high tech” next year?  It could, thanks to a partnership between the Wright-Patterson AFB Educational Outreach Office and the Dayton-Wright Chapter of the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA).

Through the “Scopes for Students” program, High School students can apply for free usage of a computer based digital storage oscilloscope system that can provide a variety of scientific measurements. The system consists of a PC based digital storage oscilloscope (DSO), compatible surplus laptop personal computer, multi-meter, and sensors appropriate for the students investigation.  Limited technical assistance in DSO operation and sensor usage during the science fair season will also be provided.  Also available is loan of equipment for static measurement which consists of multi-meter and appropriate sensor.   

Students can chose from sensors that can measure acceleration, force, gas pressure, light based, pH, magnetic field, sound based, temperature and more.  The DSO can measure up to two simultaneous outputs over time and display this data in a usable format on the laptop computer. Using various computer controls, the data can be studied for changes that occur from mere microseconds up to gradual changes over several days.  The relationship of two sensor data can also be compared and be imported into Microsoft Excel for graphing analysis or Microsoft Word for documentation.

HOW TO APPLY: If you are a High School student, you  may apply for one of the available DSO systems to use in your science fair project. You will be asked to submit a one-page proposal that describes your project, what sensors are needed, along with permission from teacher and guardian.  Applications will be ranked using a blind review process, with the top applicants receiving loan of the equipment.  Depending on the equipment requested (some entries may require only static measurements via a sensor with meter) more student projects can be accepted.  Because of the technical nature of the equipment, students in higher grades may be given priority.  Multiple entry/decision dates will be established to accommodate different school project schedules.

APPLICATIONS: To request an application:
EMAIL: wpafb.educational.outreach@wpafb.af.mil
PHONE: (937) 904-8622 FAX: (937) 904-8033

Contact Bob at the WPAFB Educational Outreach Office for more information.

INTERNET RESOURCES

Information on DSO and Sensors:
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=351379
http://www.vernier.com/probes/index.html

Science fair ideas and research sites:
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/sciencefairs/
http://www.scifair.org/dr.shawnsideabank.html
http://scienceclub.org/scifair.html
http://www.madsci.org/MS_search.html
http://youth.net/nsrc/sci/sci.index.html
http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/projectguide/projects.html
http://amasci.com/amateur/sciam1.html

 

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