Vernier Software & Technology
Encyclopedia
Vernier Software & Technology is an educational software and equipment company based in Portland, Oregon
that produces sensors and graphing software for use in science education. Vernier was one of the first companies to popularize the use of computers and sensor technology, known as "probeware" or "Microcomputer Based Labs (MBL)", during laboratory experiments.
, Oregon in 1981 in the home of David Vernier, a high-school physics teacher, and Christine Vernier, a local business manager.
The first software programs developed by David Vernier were scientific simulations for Apple II
computers. In 1982, David developed the program Graphical Analysis, which allowed an individual to manually enter data into a table and display the data as a graph. That year the company started producing data-acquisition software and providing instructions for individuals to build their own sensors. Gradually the company expanded the product line to include software for other computers using the MS-DOS operating system and for Macintosh
computers.
In the late 1980s, the company started producing assembled temperature sensors, and many other types of sensors, such as photogates and motion detectors for studying moving objects. In 1990, the Universal Lab Interface (ULI) and the MultiPurpose Lab Interface (MPLI), along with software to run on both Macintosh and Windows computers, was introduced, quickly followed by the introduction of the Serial Box Interface.
In 1994, Vernier began collaboration with Texas Instruments
to support data collection on graphing calculators, after Texas Instruments introduced the Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL). In 1996, Vernier developed Logger Pro, a general-purpose data collection and analysis computer program, which after many revisions is now called Logger Pro 3.
. The company produces 75 sensors and six data-collection interfaces.
Logger Pro 3 software collects and analyzes data from Vernier interfaces, plus
Other strategic partnerships for STEM education include the development of an adapter with LEGO Education, which allows sensors to be used with Lego Mindstorms NXT
; and SensorDAQ, a sensor interface developed with National Instruments that may be used with LabVIEW.
gold-certified building and employs approximately 90 individuals. David Vernier serves as CEO of Vernier Software & Technology and oversees product development and Christine Vernier serves as CFO and oversees company operations.
United States President Barack Obama
, then a presidential candidate, visited the company in May 2008.
The company has won many awards, including Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon from Portland Business Journal, 100 Best Places to Work in Oregon from Oregon Business Magazine for the last 11 straight years, and Best Green Companies in Oregon.
Vernier Software & Technology has been engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, including the funding of the Vernier Technology Laboratory at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
and many other educational, environmental, and social service organizations.
The Vernier Technology Awards are presented every year to seven teachers at the National Science Teachers Association
convention.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
that produces sensors and graphing software for use in science education. Vernier was one of the first companies to popularize the use of computers and sensor technology, known as "probeware" or "Microcomputer Based Labs (MBL)", during laboratory experiments.
History
Vernier Software & Technology was founded in PortlandPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon in 1981 in the home of David Vernier, a high-school physics teacher, and Christine Vernier, a local business manager.
The first software programs developed by David Vernier were scientific simulations for Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
computers. In 1982, David developed the program Graphical Analysis, which allowed an individual to manually enter data into a table and display the data as a graph. That year the company started producing data-acquisition software and providing instructions for individuals to build their own sensors. Gradually the company expanded the product line to include software for other computers using the MS-DOS operating system and for Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
computers.
In the late 1980s, the company started producing assembled temperature sensors, and many other types of sensors, such as photogates and motion detectors for studying moving objects. In 1990, the Universal Lab Interface (ULI) and the MultiPurpose Lab Interface (MPLI), along with software to run on both Macintosh and Windows computers, was introduced, quickly followed by the introduction of the Serial Box Interface.
In 1994, Vernier began collaboration with Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
to support data collection on graphing calculators, after Texas Instruments introduced the Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL). In 1996, Vernier developed Logger Pro, a general-purpose data collection and analysis computer program, which after many revisions is now called Logger Pro 3.
Current products
Vernier Software & Technology now exports products to more than 120 different countries through Vernier International, based in Sarasota, FloridaSarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
. The company produces 75 sensors and six data-collection interfaces.
Logger Pro 3 software collects and analyzes data from Vernier interfaces, plus
- Electronic balances from OhausOhausOhaus Corporation is a manufacturer of scales and balances for the laboratory, education, industrial and specialty markets worldwide. Headquartered in Pine Brook, New Jersey, USA, Ohaus Corporation has offices throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America....
- GPS from GarminGarminGarmin Ltd. , incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is the parent company of a group of companies founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao , that develops consumer, aviation, and marine technologies for the Global Positioning System...
- Spectrometers from Ocean Optics
- Gas chromatographs developed in collaboration with Seacoast Science
Other strategic partnerships for STEM education include the development of an adapter with LEGO Education, which allows sensors to be used with Lego Mindstorms NXT
Lego Mindstorms NXT
Lego Mindstorms NXT is a programmable robotics kit released by Lego in late July 2006.It replaced the first-generation Lego Mindstorms kit, which was called the Robotics Invention System. The base kit ships in two versions: the Retail Version and the Education Base Set . It comes with the NXT-G...
; and SensorDAQ, a sensor interface developed with National Instruments that may be used with LabVIEW.
Company
The company is located in a LEEDLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
gold-certified building and employs approximately 90 individuals. David Vernier serves as CEO of Vernier Software & Technology and oversees product development and Christine Vernier serves as CFO and oversees company operations.
United States President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, then a presidential candidate, visited the company in May 2008.
The company has won many awards, including Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon from Portland Business Journal, 100 Best Places to Work in Oregon from Oregon Business Magazine for the last 11 straight years, and Best Green Companies in Oregon.
Vernier Software & Technology has been engaged in many philanthropic endeavors, including the funding of the Vernier Technology Laboratory at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a museum located in Portland, Oregon, United States. It contains two auditoriums, including an IMAX Dome theatre, and a variety of hands-on permanent exhibits focused on natural sciences, industry, and technology...
and many other educational, environmental, and social service organizations.
The Vernier Technology Awards are presented every year to seven teachers at the National Science Teachers Association
National Science Teachers Association
The National Science Teachers Association , founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is an association of science teachers in the United States and is the largest organization of science teachers worldwide...
convention.