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These AP Physics students at Hermon High School are conducting a standard experiment--measuring the energy created by this pendulum. But with the help of these light sensors, they’re doing it in a way that all science in the real world is done.
Lester French, Ph.D. Candidate-Material Science/ GK-12 Sensors Program Fellow:
"A lot of times when they do chemistry or physics, they use methods where they're timing a pendulum with a stopwatch and that's not how science is done anymore in the real world. It's about getting the data onto a computer with digital electronic sensors. So, now they get to see why that's done."
Lester French is a Ph.D. Student in material science at UMaine. In addition to his research, he spends time every week using sensors to teach science to high school and middle school kids. A grant from the National Science Foundation places UMaine grad students in these classrooms across the state. John Vetelino helped create the GK-12 Sensors in the schools program.
John Vetelino, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering:
"The program basically got started with us asking or, I guess, answering the question of how we might be able to help the state in terms of the economy and creating opportunities for people in high technology."
For Hermon High School physics teacher Joanna Lisker, using sensors to teach the principles of physics has made science and engineering more relevant for her students. They see the sensors they use in class around them every day.
Joanna Lisker, Science Teacher--Hermon High School:
"I think it makes them realize just how broad the field of science is. That there are just so many jobs that use these principles in different ways, and so many jobs where knowledge of physics is going to be fundamental knowledge to start to understand how some of these applications work."
Senior Adam Blakeway plans to study engineering at MIT next year. Working with Lester French and the sensors program has helped refine the goals he has for his education.
Adam Blakeway, Senior--Hermon High School:
"Personally, I've always wanted to be an engineer but especially with using light sensors; it's really opened me up to different types of engineering. So, I've been thinking a lot about different types and what I can do. Hopefully, I can major in a couple of different types."
As these students work with sensors, they’re getting experience with a discipline that has vast potential. The Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology at UMaine has been doing cutting-edge sensor research for many years. Its work has spun off many startup companies that one day will make a significant impact on jobs and the economy in Maine.
John Vetelino:
"Projections in the area of sensors are dramatic. Sensors appear in many forms in the area of homeland security. You see this in train stations, airports and bus stations. Also, you see it in the area of agriculture. The medical area is absolutely huge. The horizons are huge."
