LONDON, January 13 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an international effort to stimulate the use of inquiry-based, hands-on technology in science education, PASCO(R) scientific today announced that its SPARKvue(TM) software will soon be available in 11 languages. SPARKvue is an integrated learning application that works with a sensor interface to bring award-winning SPARK Science Learning System capabilities to other computing environments, such as Windows(R) XP and Vista.
Educators can preview several international versions of SPARKvue today at BETT, a leading world showcase for innovative information and communications technologies and education resources. SPARKvue translations include Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. The translated versions are expected to ship in March.
PASCO is taking action to support countries that are raising the bar for science learning, said Kevin Mather, PASCO's director of international business. More and more countries are investing in science technology that supports a learn by doing model through which students can initiate their own investigations, ask significant questions, gather and reflect on data and interpret their findings using the same sensor interface capabilities that real scientists use in research and discovery. PASCO has been steadfast in developing technologies that support these capabilities.
SPARKvue software combines multimedia curriculum, real-time data collection, and powerful scientific analysis tools in an easy-to-use, icon-based user interface that can be used in either a Windows or Mac computing environment. Students using the SPARKvue application in any language can simply plug one of PASCO's 70 PASPORT(R) sensors into a compatible PASCO sensor interface-SPARKlink.(TM) USB Link, PowerLink, Xplorer GLX(R) and Xplorer datalogger--and collect real-time data. Just like the stand-alone SPARK Science Learning System, SPARKvue creates a media-rich environment that promotes real-time analysis and direct manipulation of data. Students can represent data as graphs, tables, digits and analog meters-all in a single view. The application is designed to promote student reflection and discussion with built-in annotation tools, snapshot tools and journal tools. It enables students to print their journals or even create electronic portfolios so that teachers can use them to monitor student progress and understanding. The labs contain all the instructions, procedures, safety tips, graphs, tables, analysis tools and student response tools needed for successful inquiry-based investigations all within the same framework.
SPARKvue currently ships with six free labs and supports 61 integrated SPARKlabs, with more in development. SPARKvue labs are available in English and Spanish. PASCO's country partners continue to work with local education experts to adapt and localize SPARKlabs in order to meet the needs of each country.
The beauty and power of SPARKvue is the ability to create custom, embedded curriculum that meets local needs, said Mather.
For more information call +1-916-786-3800 or visit www.pasco.com.
About PASCO scientific
PASCO scientific is a leading developer of innovative, technology solutions for hands-on science. PASCO's team includes former and current teachers, educational researchers, engineers and many more. Throughout its more than 45-year history, PASCO has focused exclusively on science education--designing, developing and supporting better ways of teaching and learning science. Teachers and students in more than 100 countries throughout the world use PASCO solutions. For more information visit http://www.pasco.com or call +1-800-772-8700.
PASCO and PASPORT are registered trademarks of PASCO scientific. SPARK Science Learning System, SPARKvue, SPARKlabs and SPARKlink are trademarks of PASCO scientific. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify products or services of their respective owners.
PASCO Contact: Kathleen Dixon Dixon Communications +1-408-871-7765 kathleen@kdixon.com -------------------
SOURCE: PASCO
CONTACT: Kathleen Dixon of Dixon Communications, +1-408-871-7765,kathleen@kdixon.com, for PASCO
Comments