IOLabs for WV Physics Teachers

Although this AdvancingWVU campaign has concluded, if you would still like to make a donation to support this cause, you may always do so here. 

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Who We Are:

We are WVUteach, an innovative program uniting in-depth science and mathematics education with teacher preparation. Our graduates pass on their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) enthusiasm to the next generation by qualifying for secondary teaching certification by the West Virginia Department of Education upon completing our program.

Last year, a need came to our attention. West Virginia physics teachers are frequently faced with limited classroom resources. This was very concerning to us, as one-third of our first graduating class is majoring and certifying in physics, and we have an abundance of future physics teachers progressing through the program. Decades of physics education research has shown that hands-on activities demonstrating concepts of physics are vital to create deep [student] understanding. In order to address this need for local West Virginia physics teachers, we began purchasing and providing iOLabs and Accessory Kits. iOLabs are wireless lab systems with built-in sensors that can measure force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, magnetic field, rotation, light intensity, sound, temperature, and voltages. Free software controls the device, acquires and displays data in real time, and provides a suite of analysis and data manipulation features. iOLabs provide teacher flexibility in instructional design and the ability to implement virtually any physics experiment they want to assign their students or demonstrate in a lecture. Our goal is to provide this equipment to additional physics classrooms in West Virginia, giving local physics teachers the ability to provide their students with hands-on activities to experience physics concepts in action. We have already provided 7 iOLabs and Accessory Kits to local WV physics teachers in the 2017-2018 academic year, and with your help, we would like to provide additional iOLabs and Accessory Kits to 20 more WV physics teachers for the 2018-2019 academic year.

How You Can Help

Donate here! Take a look at our giving levels to see how far we can make your gift go toward providing West Virginia physics teachers the ability not only to spark the imagination of their students and re-energize the teaching experience, but also to facilitate an authentic learning of physics concepts throughout the entire school year. Each gift goes a long way!

Spread the word! Let all your friends know! Each person who sees our campaign has the potential to get involved by making a donation, or simply telling her or his friends, too. Spreading the word is as easy as clicking the button at the top of this page!

Stay in touch! Check us out on our website and keep an eye out for our social media updates! We’ll be posting our progress throughout the campaign and sharing all the excitement as we provide the iOLabs to 20 WV physics teachers in need.

Thank you in advance for your support!