Nova Scotia 7-8 Resources
Getting Started With PASCO
Sensor-based, hands-on activities are very helpful in achieving important objectives of the recently revised curriculum by enhancing authentic learning experiences and investigative science.
Your new PASCO wireless sensors enable students to easily collect, record and analyze data within the SPARKvue software to support an enormous array of investigations. In the classroom, the sensors enhance engagement by providing students with instant and informative feedback as recorded measurements are immediately displayed in graphs, tables, charts and meters.
For longer term classroom and field investigations, many sensors allow for remote data collection, where recorded measurements can be stored in the sensor’s internal memory.
All of your sensors connect to SPARKvue in the same way.
This video explains how to connect a sensor wirelessly and to get started collecting data.
PASCO Digital Library
About Your PASCO Sensors
Application Videos
Hardware Check List
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Are your Chromebooks equipped with the right Bluetooth?
Ensure that your Chromebook has a bluetooth dongle inserted into its USB port. Your Chromebook’s internal bluetooth is not capable of communicating with the wireless sensors.
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Are your sensors charged?
The temperature, light and conductivity sensors are powered by a replaceable thumb battery. These sensors draw very little power and will likely not need to have their batteries replaced for at least a year.
The pressure, CO2, voltage, and current sensors feature rechargeable batteries that will need to be recharged more frequently. The CO2 sensor requires a considerable amount of power and should be charged before each lab.
To assess the power status of your sensor simply press the power button and note what happens to the LED lights:
- One LED flashes – your sensor has plenty of charge
- Two LED flashes – your sensor is low in power and should be charged
- No LED flashes – your sensor is completely flat and needs to be charged
Note: To stop the sensor from flashing press and hold the power button for several seconds. Skipping this step will cause the sensor to continue flashing for an extended period which will draw power and may confuse your students.
Charging your sensors
The rechargeable sensors are supplied with a USB cable that can be connected to any standard USB charger. If your sensor is completely flat, plugging your sensor in for 10 or 15 minutes should give an adequate charge for a single lab. The sensor will be fully charged after a couple of hours and will display a solid green LED. A partially charged sensor will have a solid red LED while charging. Leaving the sensor plugged in for extended periods of time may shorten the battery life.
Download SPARKvue Software for Free
SPARKvue works on Mac & Windows computers, iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and phones
and Chromebooks and the user experience is the same regardless of the platform.
PC & Mac
(Tech Dept)

PASCO Digital Library
What are SPARKlabs & How Do They Work?
Try it yourself:
Download this SPARKlab file so you can follow along and then try it on your own: Alka-Seltzer & Juice.spk2.
As with all SPARKlabs you must have the SPARKvue app or software installed to open these files.
Samples of Correlated SPARKlab Templates
Here are three sample templates that correlate to the Nova Scotia curriculum.
SPARKlab Activities
SPARKlabs are interactive, guided lab activities that use PASCO sensors and software. Below are the activities selected for use in Grades 7-8 using your sensors.
Grade 7 SPARKlabs
Grade 8 SPARKlabs
French SPARKlabs
Authorized Learning Resources (ALR)
To expand & browse the product lists simply click onto the “title” or the “+/-“.
The SKU number listed is your Nova Scotia ALR number.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor (NS) | The Wireless Soil Moisture Sensor measures the volumetric water content (%VWC) of soil, reporting data … | 0137 | |
Wireless Weather Sensor with GPS (NS) | Go beyond tracking weather Analyze trends to create understanding The Wireless Weather Sensor with GPS … | 118 | |
Elementary School Sensor Bundle (NS) | A bundle of the most commonly used sensors for Elementary School Science including Wireless Sensors … | 5000082 | |
Wireless Colorimeter and Turbidity (NS) | The Wireless Colorimeter and Turbidity Sensor simultaneously measures the absorbance and transmittance of six different … | 117 | |
Wireless O2 Sensor (NS) | The Wireless Oxygen Gas Sensor measures gaseous O2 concentration as well as humidity and air … | 135 | |
Wireless CO2 Sensor (NS) | Blog: 7 Ways to Use a CO2 Sensor! Use this wireless sensor to measure … | 115 | |
Wireless Hand-Grip Heart Rate Sensor (NS) | Product Summary With these wireless hand grips, conducting physiology labs on the cardiovascular system or … | 125 | |
Wireless Temperature Sensor (NS) | Easy-to-use, rugged (dust proof and water resistant) and with high resolution, the Wireless Temperature Sensor … | 1002831 | |
Smart Cart - Blue (NS) | Smart Carts available for both Capstone and SPARKvue users. Also available in red (ME-1240). … | 1002825 | |
Smart Cart - Red (NS) | Smart Carts available for both Capstone and SPARKvue users. Also available in blue … | 1002826 | |
Wireless Force Acceleration Sensor (NS) | Capable of measuring force, acceleration, and rotation, this sensor is ideal for experiments involving … | 1002828 | |
Wireless pH Sensor (NS) | This sensor measures the pH of a solution as discrete measurements or as a … | 1002829 | |
Wireless Pressure Sensor (NS) | Make accurate and consistent measurements of gas pressure, regardless of ambient conditions, and explore … | 1002830 | |
Wireless Conductivity Sensor (NS) | Wirelessly measure both conductivity and dissolved solids. Highly accurate with a fast response time … | 1003048 | |
Wireless Current Sensor (NS) | Measure currents of up to 1 A with built-in protection for the sensor against … | 1003045 | |
Wireless Voltage Sensor (NS) | Ideal for exploring the fundamental concepts of electricity and exploring circuit concepts.Measure voltages of … | 1003047 | |
Wireless Drop Counter (NS) | Titration experiments are core to any chemistry curriculum – now conducting a titration has … | 134 | |
Wireless Motion Sensor (NS) | The Wireless Motion Sensor connects via Bluetooth or USB to your device and uses … | 136 | |
Wireless Blood Pressure Sensor (NS) | PASCO’s Wireless Blood Pressure Sensor allows students to quickly and easily measure both systolic and … | 132 | |
Wireless Spectrometer (NS) | Wireless spectrometry at an affordable price. The PASCO Wireless Spectrometer is specifically designed for … | 2001777 |
The SKU number listed is your Nova Scotia ALR number.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
PASPORT Force Sensor (NS) | The study of force is critical to many science explorations. An accurate and rugged sensor … | 5 | |
PASPORT pH Sensor (NS) | Resolution is a very important feature of pH meters, but high resolution is useless if … | 92 | |
Galvanometer - PASPORT (NS) | Specifications Range ±2000 mV differential Resolution 0.1 mV Maximum Sample Rate 5000 Hz Xplorer GLX … | 51 | |
Infrared Light Sensor - PASPORT (NS) | Product Summary The Infrared Light Sensor is sensitive in the infrared portion (up to 40,000 … | 37 | |
Motion Sensor - PASPORT (NS) | Whether measuring the motion of a ball, a dynamics cart or a person, you … | 5000048 | |
Multisensor - Absolute Pressure / Temperature - PASPORT (NS) | This combination sensor is specifically designed for studying the Ideal Gas Law. The included … | 38 | |
ScienceWorkshop Sensor Analogue Adapter - PASPORT (NS) | The PASPORT Analog Adapter is the ideal solution for connecting ScienceWorkshop sensors to your … | 5000090 | |
Smart Gate - PASPORT (NS) | The Smart Gate connects directly to nearly any PASPORT interface (Smart Gate is not … | 116 | |
Temperature (Skin/Surface) - PASPORT (NS) | Use this sensor when you want to know just how warm “warm to the … | 5000065 | |
Temperature Sensor - PASPORT (NS) | Our Temperature Sensor is reason enough to make the switch to probeware! Its stainless … | 51235 | |
Voltage/Current Sensor - PASPORT (NS) | The PASPORT Voltage-Current Sensor combines voltage and current sensors in one case. It can … | 54 | |
Water Quality Colorimeter - PASPORT (NS) | Product Summary This PASPORT Water Quality Colorimeter is designed specifically to support chemical analysis of … | 87 |
Simply check the box at the end of each row, adjust to your desired quantity and then click the add selected to cart button at the bottom.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
AirLink (NS) | Our most cost effective interface. Connect one PASPORT sensor via Bluetooth® or through a … | 1002824 | |
550 Universal Interface (NS) | Meet PASCO’s 550 Universal Interface. Why the excitement? Well, the 550 Universal Interface is … | 1002822 | |
SPARKlink Air (NS) | The SPARKlink® Air allows students and teachers to connect any of PASCO’s 70+ sensors to … | 5000084 |
The SKU number listed is your Nova Scotia ALR number.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
PASCO Capstone Site License (NS) | PASCO Capstone is the next leap forward in software for data acquisition, display and … | 5000085 | |
SPARKvue Site License (NS) | SPARKvue was designed to be a solution for science students of all levels — … | 5000057 |
The SKU number listed is your Nova Scotia ALR number.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
Chemistry Through Inquiry Teacher Guide (NS) | Description At the heart of PASCO’s Chemistry through Inquiry lab manual is a commitment to … | 51225 | |
Advanced Physics through Inquiry 1 (NS) | PASCO’s Advanced Physics through Inquiry 1 helps you prepare your students for the rigors … | 100000 | |
Advanced Physics through Inquiry 2 (NS) | PASCO’s Advanced Physics through Inquiry 2 helps you prepare your students for the rigors … | 22811 |
The SKU number listed is your Nova Scotia ALR number.
Image | Name | Description | SKU |
---|---|---|---|
Weather Vane Accessory (NS) | Equip your Wireless Weather Sensor with GPS for extended environmental monitoring with the Weather Vane … | 119 | |
Basic Optics Light Source (NS) | The Basic Optics Light Source uses a single 10 Watt quartz-halogen bulb to provide … | 2001788 | |
PAScar Standard System - 1.2m Metal Track (NS) | PASCO Dynamics Systems have been a staple in physics labs for over 25 years. They … | 51322 | |
PASCO Renewable Energy Kit (NS) | With the renewable energy kit students can investigate key concepts around energy transformation and … | 1003049 | |
PASCO Renewable Energy Bundle (NS) | With the renewable energy kit students can investigate key concepts around energy transformation and … | 120 | |
50 mm Diameter Lens Assortment (NS) | 50 mm Diameter Lens Assortment This set of 6 lenses is made of polished … | 2001789 | |
EKG Sensor Electrode Patches (NS) | Replacement set includes 100 self-adhesive disposable electrode patches (one year shelf life) for use … | 5000060 | |
Fiber Optic Cable Accessory - Wireless Spectrometer (NS) | Perform emissions spectroscopy experiments with the PASCO spectrometer. SImply insert the Fiber Optic Cable … | 2001778 | |
Photogate and Pulley System (NS) | The Photogate/Pulley System uses a photogate head to monitor low-friction pulley rotation, providing a … | 51231 | |
Photogate Stand (NS) | This stand can hold PASCO’s precision Photogate heads, and is available separately or as … | 5000067 | |
Picket Fence (NS) | Conduct free fall experiments by dropping this Picket Fence through the PASCO Photogate. The … | 5000061 | |
USB / Serial Converter (NS) | The USB/Serial Converter is used to connect the serial port of ScienceWorkshop Interfaces to … | 5000040 | |
USB Bluetooth Adapter (NS) | USB Bluetooth Adapter: Required for wireless pairing of PASCO wireless sensors to Windows 7 … | 1002827 |