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PASCO SPARK User Manual

Science learning system
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Science Learning System
U s e r ' s G u i d e
®
manual number 012-10616A

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Summary of Contents for PASCO SPARK

  • Page 1 Science Learning System U s e r ’ s G u i d e ® manual number 012-10616A...
  • Page 2 Software Licenses All required licenses for software components of the SPARK Science Learning System can be found on the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM included with the product. To obtain source code for GPL/LGPL licensed software components, contact PASCO at by phone at 1-800-772-8700 (in the U.S), +1 916 786 3800...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Putting the SPARK into periodic sampling mode........
  • Page 4 Performing a 2-point calibration ..........14 Performing a 1-point offset-only calibration .
  • Page 5 Selecting cells for operation in a table..........29 Displaying data in a digits display .
  • Page 6 Creating a data set for manual entry ..........45 Creating a data set for manually entered numbers.
  • Page 7 SPARK Battery Replacement and Disposal Instructions ........
  • Page 8 viii...

  • Page 9: Introduction

    Build a custom SPARKlab with your choice of data, displays, text, and pictures. To start learning the SPARK Science Learning System, simply turn it on, plug in a sensor, and start using it. If you need help doing a task, you'll find step-by-step...

  • Page 10: Technical And Teacher Support

    ECHNICAL AND EACHER UPPORT Technical and Teacher Support For help with the SPARK Science Learning System and other PASCO products, you can contact PASCO's Technical and Teacher Support staff by phone, email, or on the Web. Phone: 1-800-772-8700 (in the U.S.)

  • Page 11: Starting An Experiment

    Turning on the SPARK Science Learning System If the battery is not charged, connect the included AC adapter to a wall outlet and to the AC adapter port on the bottom of the SPARK. Press and hold the power button.

  • Page 12: Connecting A Sensor

    You can use up to two PASPORT sensors plus a temperature probe and a voltage probe. The SPARK automatically identifies any sensor connected to it. Complete one or more of the following tasks to connect sensors to the SPARK. Connecting PASPORT sensors Plug a PASPORT sensor into one of the PASPORT ports on the top of the SPARK.

  • Page 13: Connecting A Voltage Probe

    • If the SPARK is turned off, turn it on and connect a sensor. • If the SPARK is turned on, touch the Home button to return to the Home Screen. Moving on from the Home Screen With the Home Screen displayed, you're ready to move into a SPARKlab. A SPARKlab is a multi-page environment where your science investigation takes place.

  • Page 14: Showing A Sparklab

    TARTING AN EXPERIMENT OVING ON FROM THE CREEN Touch the SPARKlab that you would like to open. Touch OK. ESULT The SPARKlab opens. FTER OMPLETING Follow the on-screen instructions to continue your science investigation. Use the page navigator to turn pages. Showing a SPARKlab A show-path SPARKlab is the fastest way to record data and display it in a graph, table, digits display, and meter.
  • Page 15 TARTING AN EXPERIMENT OVING ON FROM THE CREEN Page-build screen: 1. Measurements. 2. Data display, image box, and text box buttons. 3. Preview. Touch the measurement (or measurements) that you would like to show in the first data display. Selected measurements are highlighted. Touch a measurement again to clear a selection.
  • Page 16 TARTING AN EXPERIMENT OVING ON FROM THE CREEN Optionally, do any of the following: • Repeat the steps above to select more measurements and add another data display. • Touch one of the image box buttons to add a large or small image box. (After the page has been added to the SPARKlab, you can touch the image box to select an image to display in the box.) •...

  • Page 17: Setting Up An Experiment

    Putting the SPARK into periodic sampling mode In periodic sampling mode (the default mode, sometimes known as “contin- uous” mode), the SPARK records data points at regular intervals. If the SPARK is in manual sampling mode, complete these steps to put it into periodic sampling mode: Touch the Sampling Options button.

  • Page 18: Putting The Spark Into Manual Sampling Mode

    Putting the SPARK into manual sampling mode In manual sampling mode, a single value from each measurement is recorded each time you manually trigger the SPARK. Complete these steps to put the SPARK into manual sampling mode: Touch the Sampling Options button.

  • Page 19: Setting The Number Of Significant Figures Displayed

    ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT USTOMIZING HOW NUMBERS ARE DISPLAYED Setting the number of significant figures displayed Touch the Experiment Tools button. ESULT The Experiment Tools screen opens. Touch DATA PROPERTIES. ESULT The Data Properties screen opens. Touch the Measurement box and select a measurement or other vari- able.

  • Page 20: Changing The Units Of A Measurement

    ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT USTOMIZING HOW NUMBERS ARE DISPLAYED Changing the units of a measurement Do one or both of the following tasks to select different units for a measurement. Changing the units of a measurement in an existing display Complete these steps to change the units of a measurement displayed in an existing graph, digits display, table, or meter: Touch the Tools button of a graph, digits display, table, or meter to...

  • Page 21: Calibrating Sensors

    ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT ALIBRATING SENSORS Calibrating sensors Sensor calibration is an optional step that can help to make measurements more accurate. Complete the following tasks to select a measurement and calibration type and perform a calibration. Selecting a measurement to calibrate and a calibration type Touch the Experiment Tools button.

  • Page 22: Performing A Calibration

    ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT ALIBRATING SENSORS Performing a calibration REREQUISITE Select a measurement to be calibrated and a calibration type (see previous task). Depending on the calibration type that you have selected, perform a 2-point calibration, a 1-point offset-only calibration, or a 1-point slope-only calibration. Performing a 2-point calibration In the Calibrate Sensor screen, complete these steps: Apply a known quantity to the sensor.

  • Page 23: Performing A 1-Point Slope-Only Calibration

    ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT ALIBRATING SENSORS Under Calibration Point 1 touch Read From Sensor. ESULT The value measured by the sensor is transferred to the Sensor Value box. Touch OK. ESULT Calibration is complete. Performing a 1-point slope-only calibration In the Calibrate Sensor screen, complete these steps: Apply a known quantity to the sensor.
  • Page 24 ETTING UP AN EXPERIMENT ALIBRATING SENSORS...

  • Page 25: Data Recording

    Data Recording The following tasks describe how to record a data run with the SPARK in peri- odic sampling mode and manual sampling mode. Over the course of a science investigation, you can record multiple data runs and sets. Recording a run of periodically sampled data With the SPARK in periodic sampling mode (the default mode, sometimes known as “continuous”...

  • Page 26: Recording A Set Of Manually Sampled Data

    In manual sampling mode, a single value from each measurement is recorded each time you manually trigger the SPARK. A series of values is recorded in a data set. Complete these steps to start a data set, trigger points to be recorded,...

  • Page 27: Deleting Data Runs

    ELETING DATA RUNS Record buttons ESULT The SPARK records a single value from each measurement. Repeat the previous step as many times as necessary to record all of the data that you want in the data set. When the entire set has been recorded, touch the Stop button.
  • Page 28 ECORDING ELETING DATA RUNS...

  • Page 29: Data Display

    Data display Displaying data in a graph Creating a new graph To create a new graph, do one of the following: • If the Home Screen is visible, create a new SPARKlab: Touch a measurement. Touch SHOW. ESULT A graph appears on page 1 of the SPARKlab. •...

  • Page 30: Adjusting The Scale Of A Graph

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A GRAPH Adjusting the scale of a graph Do one or more of the following tasks (in any order) to change the range and domain of a graph. Causing a graph to scale-to-fit Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. Touch the Scale-to-fit button.

  • Page 31: Selecting Data To Show In An Existing Graph

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A GRAPH Selecting data to show in an existing graph Showing and hiding data runs in a graph Touch the graph legend in the upper right corner of the graph. ESULT The legend enlarges to show available data runs. Select or clear the check box next to each data run that you want to show or hide.

  • Page 32: Selecting Part Of A Data Run For Operation In A Graph

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A GRAPH In the legend, touch the symbol (but not the check box) of the run that you want to select. ESULT The red outline moves to the selected run. Graph legend FTER OMPLETING When you turn on statistics, graph tools, or curve fits, they are applied to the selected run.

  • Page 33: Annotating Data In A Graph

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A GRAPH Touch somewhere on the graph; then, within one second, touch some- where else on the graph. The two locations that you touch define the corners of a selection box. ESULT A selection box appears. Data points inside the box are high- lighted.

  • Page 34: Editing Or Deleting An Annotation

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A TABLE Touch the Annotation button. ESULT The on-screen keyboard appears. Enter a note and touch OK. ESULT An annotation appears on the graph. Touch the Select button. ESULT The button turns blue. Editing or deleting an annotation If necessary, touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette.

  • Page 35: Showing And Hiding The Table Tool Pallet

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A TABLE • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: Touch the New Page button. ESULT The page-build screen opens. Touch a measurement (or up to five measurements). Touch the Table button. Touch OK. ESULT A new page containing a table is added to the SPARKlab.

  • Page 36: Selecting Data To Show In An Existing Table

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A TABLE Selecting data to show in an existing table Selecting a run for display in an existing column Touch the run number at the top of the column. ESULT A list of available runs appears. Touch the run that you want to see.

  • Page 37: Removing A Column

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A TABLE Touch the Add Column button. ESULT A new, empty column is added to the table. FTER OMPLETING Touch the Properties button to select a measure- ment or other variable to display in the new column. Removing a column Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette.

  • Page 38: Displaying Data In A Digits Display

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A DIGITS DISPLAY 1. Selecting cells in a single column. 2. Selecting cells in a single row. 3. Selecting cells in multiple columns and rows. FTER OMPLETING To clear the selection, touch the Select button again.

  • Page 39: Showing And Hiding The Digits Display Tool Palette

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A METER Showing and hiding the digits display tool palette • To show the tool palette, touch the blue Digits Display Tools button near the lower left corner of the digits display. • To hide the tool palette, touch the orange Digits Display Tools button. Changing the variable in a digits display Touch the Digits Display Tools button to open the tool palette.

  • Page 40: Showing And Hiding The Meter Tool Palette

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A METER • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: Touch the New Page button. ESULT The page-build screen opens. Touch a measurement. Touch the Meter button. Touch OK. ESULT A new page containing a meter is added to the SPARKlab. Showing and hiding the meter tool palette •...

  • Page 41: Setting The Scale Of A Meter

    ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A METER Setting the scale of a meter Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. For the Always Scale to Fit option select off. Touch the Minimum box and enter the low value of the desired range.
  • Page 42 ATA DISPLAY ISPLAYING DATA IN A METER...

  • Page 43: Data Analysis

    Data analysis In any display, you can view the statistics of data runs, including minimum value, maximum value, mean value, standard deviation, and count (or number of points). In a graph, the area statistic is also available. A graph display also allows you to apply curve fits; draw predictions; and find coordinates, distances, and slopes on data plots.

  • Page 44: Applying A Curve Fit

    ATA ANALYSIS NALYZING DATA IN A GRAPH Optionally, select part of the data set for statistics to be applied to. See “Selecting part of a data run for operation in a graph” on page 24. FTER OMPLETING To remove the statistics, touch the Statistics button again.

  • Page 45: Drawing A Prediction

    ATA ANALYSIS NALYZING DATA IN A GRAPH Drawing a prediction Complete these steps to manually sketch on a graph: Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. Touch the Prediction button. Do one of the following: • Trace a continuous curve on the graph. •...

  • Page 46: Finding The X- And Y-Distance Between Two Points

    ATA ANALYSIS NALYZING DATA IN A GRAPH Optionally, use the point selector to change which point is selected. FTER OMPLETING Touch the Select button again to clear the selection. Finding the x- and y-distance between two points Complete these steps to select a range of points and display the change-in-x and change-in-y between the first and last points in the selected range: If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: Touch the graph legend.

  • Page 47: Finding The Slope At A Point On A Data Plot

    ATA ANALYSIS NALYZING DATA IN A GRAPH Touch the Coordinates button. ESULT An annotation with the following information appears on the graph: • The x- and y-values of the first point in the selected range (x1 and y1), • The x- and y-values of the last point in the selected range (x2 and y2), and •...

  • Page 48: Viewing Statistics In A Table

    ATA ANALYSIS IEWING STATISTICS IN A TABLE Complete these sub-steps to move the slope tool to any point on the data plot: Touch the Select button. ESULT The button turns orange. Touch a point on the graph. ESULT The slope tool moves to the selected point. Touch the select button again.

  • Page 49: Viewing Statistics In A Digits Display

    ATA ANALYSIS IEWING STATISTICS IN A DIGITS DISPLAY Viewing statistics in a digits display Complete these steps to see the minimum, maximum, mean, standard devia- tion, or count of a data run: Touch the Digits Display Tools button to open the tool palette. Touch the Statistics button to open the Statistics screen.
  • Page 50 ATA ANALYSIS IEWING STATISTICS IN A METER...

  • Page 51: Calculations And Manually Entered Data

    Calculations and manually entered data Working with calculations Opening the calculator screen Touch the Experiment Tools button. ESULT The Experiment Tools screen opens. Touch CALCULATED DATA. ESULT The calculator screen opens. Creating a calculation Complete one or more of the following steps in any order to enter an expression in the calculator screen: •...

  • Page 52: Displaying A Calculation

    Touch the Numbers button to return to the main calculator keyboard. • When you have finished entering the expression, touch RETURN. The SPARK may prompt you to enter definitions for variables and constants used in the expression. • To exit the calculator screen, touch DONE.

  • Page 53: Opening The Measurements List

    ALCULATIONS AND MANUALLY ENTERED DATA NTERING DATA MANUALLY Optionally, display the entered data in other displays. Optionally, edit any manually entered number or text. Opening the measurements list Do one of the following to open the measurements list: • If the Home Screen is open, touch BUILD. ESULT The page-build screen containing the measurements list opens.

  • Page 54: Creating A Data Set For Manually Entered Text

    Touch OK. Preparing a table for manual data entry After you have completed the previous task, the SPARK returns either to the page-build screen or to the Table Properties screen. Depending on which screen you see, do one of the following: •...

  • Page 55: Entering Data Into A Manual Data Set

    ALCULATIONS AND MANUALLY ENTERED DATA NTERING DATA MANUALLY Entering data into a manual data set After creating a data set as described in the previous tasks, complete these steps to enter data: If the table tool palette is not already open, touch the Table Tools button.
  • Page 56 ALCULATIONS AND MANUALLY ENTERED DATA NTERING DATA MANUALLY Touch the Select button. Touch the table cell containing the data that you want to change. Touch the Data Entry button and change or delete the number or text.

  • Page 57: Building Sparklab

    Building SPARKlab pages Starting a new SPARKlab page Complete one of these steps to start building a new page: • From the Home Screen, touch BUILD. • From within an existing SPARKlab, touch the New Page button. ESULT The page-build screen appears. Page-build screen: 1.

  • Page 58: Adding A Display To A Sparklab Page

    SPARK UILDING LAB PAGES SPARK DDING A DISPLAY TO A LAB PAGE Adding a display to a SPARKlab page In the page-build screen, complete one or more of the following tasks to add displays. Adding a graph Complete these steps in the page-build screen: Touch one or two measurements (or other variables) to select them.

  • Page 59: Adding A Meter

    SPARK UILDING LAB PAGES DDING A TEXT BOX Touch the Digits Display button. ESULT A digits display is added to the preview. FTER OMPLETING If you have finished adding elements to the page, touch OK to exit the page-build screen.

  • Page 60: Adding An Image

    640×354 (full page), 640×175 (half page hori- zontal), 317×354 (half page vertical), 417×354 (2/3 page), or 209×175 (1/6 page). Connect the flash drive to USB port of the SPARK. On the SPARKlab page, touch the image box. ESULT The image palette appears.

  • Page 61: Locking An Image

    SPARK UILDING LAB PAGES OCKING AN IMAGE Do one of the following: • Touch the Remove button to delete the image. • Touch the Load button to load a new image from a connected USB flash drive. Locking an image Once an image is locked it cannot be changed or removed.

  • Page 62: Deleting A Sparklab Page

    SPARK UILDING LAB PAGES SPARK ELETING A LAB PAGE • meters, • small image boxes, and • small text boxes. As you add elements to a page, they are automatically arranged and aligned. Examples of screen layouts: 1. One large or small element. 2. Two large or elements.

  • Page 63: Saving And Sharing

    Saving and sharing Saving a lab Complete these steps to save your work on the SPARK or on a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). Optionally, connect a USB flash drive to the SPARK. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen.

  • Page 64: Printing A Lab

    Note that exporting data is not equivalent to saving the lab. If you plan to later reopen your work on the SPARK, you must also save the lab. Complete these steps to export data: Connect a flash drive to USB port of the SPARK.

  • Page 65: Opening A Saved Lab

    Touch EXPORT DATA to open the export data page. Touch the Name box and enter a filename. Touch EXPORT. ESULT A data file is saved on the USB flash drive, and the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen. Touch DONE. FTER...

  • Page 66: Managing Files And Folders

    ESULT A list of file locations, folders, and files appears. Touch the location (SPARK or USB) of the file that you want to move. If necessary, touch the folder and subfolders that contain the file. Touch the file that you want to move.

  • Page 67: Copying A File

    ESULT A list of file locations, folders, and files appears. Touch the location (SPARK or USB) of the file that you want to copy. If necessary, touch the folder and subfolders that contain the file. Touch the file that you want to copy.
  • Page 68 AVING AND SHARING ANAGING FILES AND FOLDERS...

  • Page 69: Keeping A Journal

    At any time during your science investigation, complete these steps to save an image of the SPARK screen. • Press the Snapshot button. ESULT The SPARK records an image of the screen, and the Snapshot Quick View appears briefly. The Snapshot Quick View FTER OMPLETING...

  • Page 70: Opening The Journal

    EEPING A JOURNAL PENING THE JOURNAL Opening the journal Do one of the following: • At any time, touch the Journal button. • If the Snapshot Quick View is open, touch the Expand Snapshot button. Adding a caption to a snapshot •...

  • Page 71: Editing A Caption

    EEPING A JOURNAL DITING A CAPTION 1. Journal entry. 2. Thumbnails. Editing a caption • In the journal, touch the Edit Caption button to edit the caption of the currently visible journal entry. Rearranging journal entries • In the journal, touch the Move Journal Entry Up button or Move Journal Entry Down button to change the position of the currently visible entry.

  • Page 72: Saving A Journal

    Note that exporting the journal is not equivalent to saving the lab. If you plan to later reopen your work on the SPARK, you must also save the lab. Complete these steps to export a journal: Connect a USB flash drive or other USB storage device to the SPARK.

  • Page 73: Printing A Journal

    To view the saved journal, connect the flash drive to a computer. On the flash drive, you will find a folder with the journal name that you entered on the SPARK. Inside the folder, you will find an HTML file. Open that file in a web browser.
  • Page 74 EEPING A JOURNAL RINTING A JOURNAL...

  • Page 75: Common Tasks

    Touch the Home button to close a SPARKlab and return to the Home Screen. Entering text and numbers using the on-screen keyboard The on-screen keyboard opens when the SPARK is ready to accept text or number input. • To enter capital letters, touch CAPS or SHIFT.

  • Page 76: Creating A New Folder

    To reactivate it, do one of the following: • Touch the screen. This will reactivate the SPARK only if it is in Screen Sleep mode. See “About sleep modes” on page 73. • Press and hold the power button.

  • Page 77: Turning Off The Spark Science Learning System

    YSTEM • Press one of the record buttons. If the SPARK is in Screen Sleep mode, this will also cause it to start or stop data recording or keep a data point. Turning off the SPARK Science Learning System •...
  • Page 78 OMMON TASKS SPARK S URNING OFF THE CIENCE EARNING YSTEM...

  • Page 79: Managing The Device

    Managing the device Updating the SPARK Science Learning System Check the firmware version installed on your SPARK: Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. Touch About SPARK. Visit www.pasco.com/spark to check for the latest update. Follow the instructions on the website to download and install the update.

  • Page 80: How Battery Status Is Indicated

    How battery status is indicated When the SPARK is turned on, the Battery icon indicates battery status. Battery icons: full, low, and nearly empty When the SPARK is connected to AC power, the status light indicates battery status: Constant green...

  • Page 81: About Sleep Modes

    BOUT SLEEP MODES Touch OK. Touch DONE. About sleep modes There are two types of sleep mode that the SPARK may go into to conserve battery charge: Screen Sleep mode Screen Sleep mode occurs when the SPARK is running on battery power and has received no user input for a certain amount of time.

  • Page 82: Adjusting The Screen Brightness

    ANAGING THE DEVICE DJUSTING THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS Use the Screen Sleep Time arrows to adjust the idle time for Screen Sleep mode. Touch OK. Touch Power Settings to open the Power Settings screen. Use the Battery Sleep Time arrows to adjust the idle time for Battery Sleep mode.

  • Page 83: Spark Battery Replacement And Disposal Instructions

    Removal/Replacement- Tools required: #0 or #1 Phillips screw driver. Remove the single screw holding the battery door (see figure), and remove the battery door from the Spark product. Disconnect the battery cable, and slide out the Li-Poly battery pack. Reverse these instructions for a battery replacement.
  • Page 84 ANAGING THE DEVICE SPARK B ATTERY EPLACEMENT AND ISPOSAL NSTRUCTIONS...
  • Page 85 62, 63 exporting data 56 change in x and y 38 exporting journal 64 continuous sampling mode data recording in 17 putting SPARK into 9 firmware updates 71 copying files 59 folders, creating 68 curve fits 36 custom SPARKlabs 6...
  • Page 86 36, 39 new folder 68 Slope Tool 39 new page 49 Snapshot Quick View 61 snapshots 61 SPARK Science Learning System, about 1 off button 69 SPARKlabs on button 3 about 1 OPEN command 5, 57 about pages 53...
  • Page 87 tool palette in digits display 31 table in graph 21 adding column 28 in meter 32 adding to SPARKlab page 50 in table 27 changing variables in 28 touch-screen calibration 74 creating 26 turning pages 67 removing column 29 scrolling 27 selecting data for operation 29 selecting run for display 28 units of measure 12...

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