STEM

Vernier Debuts Tools To Demonstrate Key Engineering Concepts

• By Michael Hart
• 02/04/15

Vernier Software & Technology has unveiled the Vernier Structures & Materials Tester (VSMT) to help students in both high school and college to understand key engineering concepts. The VSMT is a device that will help students who are designing, building and testing structures like bridges to understand how important load and stress levels are.

The VSMT is a device about 20 inches tall that has a force sensor that can measure up to 1,000 N (units of force) and a displacement sensor that can measure with a precision of 0.1 mm resolution. With these two tools, students can record maximum breaking loads as well as the characteristics of force and stress. There is also video analysis software in conjunction with the sensors that can help them visualize the exact moment when their structures bend and break.

"When I taught, bridge competitions were one of my favorite activities," said Vernier co-founder and former physics teacher David Vernier. "However, it was challenging to test all of the bridges and accurately apply force in a measured way. Now, students can use the Tester with sensors and data-collection devices to assess bridges and use the data to refine their designs."

The VSMT is accompanied by a tackle kit that has all the necessary aluminum plates, chains, rods and accessories to build bridges and structures of varying sizes and shapes.

The suggested price of the Vernier Structures & Materials Tester is $999.