Team Labs Corp. said that teachers doing data analysis in their math and science curricula can now use the ThinkStation Probeware System on the Macintosh. The computer-based data collection system has been available for the PC for more than a year now.
The ThinkStation Probeware System includes software, hardware and curriculum designed to enable students and teachers to experiment with real data, as opposed to simulated or theoretical data. The system is appropriate for elementary through college, according to Team Labs.
ThinkStation enables students to capture hands-on data using physical phenomena like temperature, light, force, distance, heart rate, pH and sound. The software collects, displays and analyzes the data from science experiments. Team Labs offered a practical example of how ThinkStation can be used — to measure the cooling rate of water when ice is added.
“Complex experiments that took several class periods can now be done in one class period, creating more time for additional investigations, in-depth analyses and producing lab reports,” said Team Labs.
The software’s data files are cross-compatible on both platforms, so teachers who already use the ThinkStation Probeware System can transfer info between PCs and Macs. The ThinkStation data is also compatible with Microsoft Excel, so students can create more detailed graphs if they wish.
System requirements call for Mac OS 8.6 – 9.1 with minimum 64MB RAM and 333MHz PowerPC G3 processor, Microsoft Excel 98 or 2001.
The ThinkStation SP16 Interface Kit includes the interface, Excelerator 2002 software, power supply and communications cable. It carries a suggested retail price of US$485. A Mac/PC USB Adapter is also needed, for $49. Probes and accessories are available separately depending on the teacher’s specific needs.