PASCO SPARK Operation & User’s Manual

Copyright SPARK Science Learning System User’s Guide is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted to non-profit educational institutions for repro- duction of any part of this manual, providing the reproductions are used only in their laboratories and classrooms, and are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO scientific, is prohibited. Trademarks PASCO, PASCO scientific, PASPORT, SPARK, SPARK Science Learning System, and SPARKlab are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO scientific, in the United States and/or in other countries. All other brands, products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and are used to identify products or services of their respective owners. For more information visit www.pasco.com/legal. 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 (worldwide), or by email at [email protected]/support

Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Technical and Teacher Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 Starting an experiment Turning on the SPARK Science Learning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Connecting a sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Connecting PASPORT sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Connecting a temperature probe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Connecting a voltage probe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Monitoring live data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Moving on from the Home Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Opening a SPARKlab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Showing a SPARKlab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Building a SPARKlab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3 Setting up an experiment Customizing data collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Setting the sample rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Putting the SPARK into periodic sampling mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Putting the SPARK into manual sampling mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Customizing how numbers are displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Setting the number of decimal places displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Setting the number of significant figures displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Displaying numbers in scientific notation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Changing the units of a measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Changing the units of a measurement in an existing display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Changing the default units of a measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Calibrating sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Selecting a measurement to calibrate and a calibration type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Performing a calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Performing a 1-point offset-only calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Performing a 1-point slope-only calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 4 Data Recording Recording a run of periodically sampled data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Recording a set of manually sampled data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Deleting data runs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 5 Data display Displaying data in a graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Creating a new graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Showing and hiding the graph tool palette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Adjusting the scale of a graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Causing a graph to scale-to-fit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Scaling by direct manipulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Selecting data to show in an existing graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Showing and hiding data runs in a graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Changing the variable on the x- or y-axis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Selecting data for operation in a graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Selecting a data run for operation in a graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Selecting part of a data run for operation in a graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Annotating data in a graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Adding an annotation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Editing or deleting an annotation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Displaying data in a table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Creating a new table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Showing and hiding the table tool pallet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Scrolling a table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Selecting data to show in an existing table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Selecting a run for display in an existing column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Changing the variable displayed in an existing column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Adding a column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Removing a column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Displaying data in a digits display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Creating a new digits display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Showing and hiding the digits display tool palette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Changing the variable in a digits display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Displaying data in a meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Creating a new meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Showing and hiding the meter tool palette. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Adjusting the scale of a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Causing a meter to scale-to-fit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Setting the scale of a meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Changing the variable displayed in a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Customizing the appearance of a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 6 Data analysis Analyzing data in a graph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Viewing statistics in a graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Applying a curve fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Removing a curve fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Drawing a prediction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Finding the x- and y-values of a point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Finding the x- and y-distance between two points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Finding the slope at a point on a data plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Viewing statistics in a table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Viewing statistics in a digits display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Viewing statistics in a meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 7 Calculations and manually entered data Working with calculations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Opening the calculator screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Creating a calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Displaying a calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Entering data manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Opening the measurements list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Creating a data set for manually entered numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Creating a data set for manually entered text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Preparing a table for manual data entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Entering data into a manual data set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Displaying manually entered data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Editing manually entered data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 8 Building SPARKlab pages Starting a new SPARKlab page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Adding a display to a SPARKlab page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Adding a graph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Adding a table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Adding a digits display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Adding a meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Adding a text box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Adding an image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Removing or replacing an image in a image box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Locking an image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 About adding multiple elements to a SPARKlab page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Deleting a SPARKlab page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 9 Saving and sharing Saving a lab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Printing a lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Exporting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Opening a saved lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Opening a lab saved on a USB flash drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Managing files and folders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Deleting a file or folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Moving a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Copying a file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 10 Keeping a journal Taking a snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Adding a caption to a snapshot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Deleting a journal entry or snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Navigating in the journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Editing a caption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Rearranging journal entries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Closing the journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Saving a journal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Exporting a journal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Printing a journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 11 Common tasks Turning pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Returning to the Home Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Entering text and numbers using the on-screen keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Creating a new folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Reactivating the SPARK Science Learning System when it is in sleep mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Turning off the SPARK Science Learning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 12 Managing the device Updating the SPARK Science Learning System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Charging the battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 How battery status is indicated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Setting the date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 About sleep modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Customizing sleep modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Adjusting the screen brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Calibrating the touch-screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Product End of Life Disposal Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 SPARK Battery Replacement and Disposal Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

The SPARK Science Learning System is an all-in-one mobile device that seam- lessly integrates the power of probeware with inquiry-based content and assess- ment. With its large, full-color display, finger-touch navigation and data collection and analysis capabilities, SPARK redefines the concept of easy-to-use--so the focus remains on the learning of science. SPARK is designed to become the center of your school's discovery-based science learning environment, providing both teacher and student the embedded support for exploring scientific concepts. The SPARK Science Learning System includes more than 60 free pre-installed SPARKlabs™--standards-based guided inquiry labs in a unique electronic note- book format. These SPARKlabs integrate background content, data collection and analysis, even assessment--all within the same environment. Everything you need is right there in context. Getting started There are three basic ways to start an investigation on the SPARK Science Learning system. They are: • Open an embedded SPARKlab and follow the on-screen instructions; • Show a SPARKlab with one measurement in a graph, table, digits display, and meter; and • 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 instructions in this guide.

2 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.) +1 916 786 3800 (worldwide) Email: [email protected] Web: www.pasco.com/support

Turning on the SPARK Science Learning System 1. 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. 2. Press and hold the power button. TASK RESULT: The SPARK turns on, boots up, and displays the Home Screen. 1. AC adapter port. 2. Power button.

CONNECTING A SENSOR 4 Connecting a sensor 1. PASPORT ports. 2. Temperature port. 3. Voltage port. 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 1. Plug a PASPORT sensor into one of the PASPORT ports on the top of the SPARK. 2. Optionally, plug a second PASPORT sensor into the other PASPORT port. Connecting a temperature probe • Plug the included temperature probe (or other temperature probe) into the temperature port on the top of the SPARK.

MONITORING LIVE DATA 5 Connecting a voltage probe • Plug the included voltage probe into the voltage port on the top of the SPARK. Monitoring live data Live data from all connected sensors are displayed whenever the Home Screen is open. Complete one of these steps to view the Home Screen: • 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. Complete one of the following tasks to open an embedded SPARKlab, show a measurement in a SPARKlab, or build a custom SPARKlab. Opening a SPARKlab The SPARK Science Learning System includes over 60 embedded SPARKlabs. Complete these steps to open a SPARKlab: 1. Connect the sensor (or sensors) required for the SPARKlab that you wish to do. 2. If there are unneeded sensors connected, disconnect them. 3. In the Home Screen, touch OPEN. STEP RESULT: A list of folders appears. 4. Touch the folder corresponding your subject area. 5. If necessary, touch a subfolder.

MOVING ON FROM THE HOME SCREEN 6 6. Touch the SPARKlab that you would like to open. 7. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The SPARKlab opens. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: 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. Complete these steps to show a SPARKlab: 1. Connect a sensor. 2. In the Home Screen, touch the measurement that you would like to show. STEP RESULT: The selected measurement is highlighted. 3. Touch SHOW. A measurement must be selected for SHOW to be available. TASK RESULT: A four-page SPARKlab opens. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Start button to record data. Use the page navigator to see your data in the different displays. Building a SPARKlab When you build a custom SPARKlab, you design each page with your choice of measurements and displays. You can also add text and pictures. Complete these steps to start building a SPARKlab: 1. Connect a sensor (or sensors). 2. In the Home Screen, touch BUILD. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen opens.

MOVING ON FROM THE HOME SCREEN 7 Page-build screen: 1. Measurements. 2. Data display, image box, and text box buttons. 3. Preview. 3. 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. 4. Touch one of the data display buttons for a graph, table, digits display, or meter. If you select just one measurement, all data displays are available. If you select two measurements, only the graph and table are available. If you select three or more measurements, only the table is available. Data display buttons: graph, digits display, table, and meter. STEP RESULT: The measurements and display that you have selected appear in the preview section of the page-build screen.

MOVING ON FROM THE HOME SCREEN 8 5. 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.) • Touch one of the text box buttons to add a large or small text box. (After the page has been added to the SPARKlab, you can touch the text box to enter text.) • Press UNDO to remove an element from the preview. 6. When you are satisfied with the preview and ready to build your page, touch OK. TASK RESULT: Your new SPARKlab opens showing the page that you have just built. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Start button to record data. Touch the New Page button build another page and add it to your SPARKlab.

experiment Customizing data collection You can start recording data using the default settings, or complete one or more of the following tasks to change the sampling rate or sampling mode. Setting the sample rate With the SPARK in periodic sampling mode (the default mode), complete these steps to set how many data points are recorded each second or how much time elapses between data points: 1. Touch the Sampling Options button. STEP RESULT: The Sampling Option screen opens. 2. Touch the Sample Rate Unit box and select Hz, minutes, or hours. 3. Touch the Sample Rate box and select a value. 4. Touch OK. 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: 1. Touch the Sampling Options button. STEP RESULT: The Sampling Option screen opens. 2. Touch Periodic. 3. Touch OK.

CUSTOMIZING HOW NUMBERS ARE DISPLAYED 10 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: 1. Touch the Sampling Options button. STEP RESULT: The Sampling Option screen opens. 2. Touch Manual. 3. Touch OK. Customizing how numbers are displayed Setting the number of decimal places displayed 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch DATA PROPERTIES. STEP RESULT: The Data Properties screen opens. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select a measurement or other vari- able. 4. Touch Number Format. STEP RESULT: The number format options appear. 5. Touch the Number Style box and select Fixed Precision. 6. Use the Digits arrows to select the number of digits to be displayed after the decimal point. 7. Touch OK.

CUSTOMIZING HOW NUMBERS ARE DISPLAYED 11 Setting the number of significant figures displayed 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch DATA PROPERTIES. STEP RESULT: The Data Properties screen opens. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select a measurement or other vari- able. 4. Touch Number Format. STEP RESULT: The number format options appear. 5. Touch the Number Style box and select Significant Figures. 6. Use the Digits arrows to select the number of significant figures to be displayed. 7. Touch OK. Displaying numbers in scientific notation 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch DATA PROPERTIES. STEP RESULT: The Data Properties screen opens. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select a measurement or other vari- able. 4. Touch Number Format. STEP RESULT: The number format options appear. 5. Touch the Number Style box and select Scientific Notation. 6. Use the Digits arrows to select the number of digits to be displayed. 7. Touch OK.

CUSTOMIZING HOW NUMBERS ARE DISPLAYED 12 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: 1. Touch the Tools button of a graph, digits display, table, or meter to open the tools palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Units box and select a unit of measure. 4. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The display shows the measurement with the selected units. Changing the default units of a measurement Complete these steps to change the units that will be used by default when you select a measurement in the future: 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button to open the Experiment Tools screen. 2. Touch DATA PROPERTIES to open the Data Properties screen. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select a measurement. 4. Touch the Units box and select units of measure. 5. Touch Set As Default to select it. When Set As Default is selected, it is highlighted. 6. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The next time you select that measurement for display, it will appear with the units that you selected.

CALIBRATING SENSORS 13 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 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch CALIBRATE SENSORS. STEP RESULT: The Calibrate Sensor: Select Measurement screen opens. 3. Touch the Sensor box and select the sensor to be calibrated. 4. Touch the Measurement box and select the measurement to be cali- brated. 5. Touch the Calibration Type box and select a calibration type. See the instructions provided with your sensor for information about what type of calibration is appropriate for your sensor. 6. Touch NEXT. TASK RESULT: The Calibration Sensor screen opens. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: In the Calibration Sensor screen, perform a calibra- tion as described in the next task.

CALIBRATING SENSORS 14 Performing a calibration PREREQUISITE 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: 1. Apply a known quantity to the sensor. STEP EXAMPLE: Place a pH probe in a pH 4 buffer solution. 2. Under Calibration Point 1 touch the Standard Value box and enter the known value. STEP EXAMPLE: Enter the known pH of the buffer solution. 3. Under Calibration Point 1 touch Read From Sensor. STEP RESULT: The value measured by the sensor is transferred to the Sensor Value box. 4. Apply a different known quantity to the sensor. STEP EXAMPLE: Place the pH probe in a pH 7 buffer solution. 5. Under Calibration Point 2 touch the Standard Value box and enter the known value. STEP EXAMPLE: Enter the known pH of the buffer solution. 6. Under Calibration Point 2 touch Read From Sensor. STEP RESULT: The value measured by the sensor is transferred to the Sensor Value box. 7. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: Calibration is complete. Performing a 1-point offset-only calibration In the Calibrate Sensor screen, complete these steps: 1. Apply a known quantity to the sensor. STEP EXAMPLE: Place a temperature probe in ice water known to be 0 °C. 2. Under Calibration Point 1 touch the Standard Value box and enter the known value. STEP EXAMPLE: Enter the known temperature of the water.

CALIBRATING SENSORS 15 3. Under Calibration Point 1 touch Read From Sensor. STEP RESULT: The value measured by the sensor is transferred to the Sensor Value box. 4. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: Calibration is complete. Performing a 1-point slope-only calibration In the Calibrate Sensor screen, complete these steps: 1. Apply a known quantity to the sensor. STEP EXAMPLE: Place a dissolved oxygen probe in a bottle known to contain 9.1 mg/L of dissolved oxygen. 2. Under Calibration Point 2 touch the Standard Value box and enter the known value. STEP EXAMPLE: Enter the known dissolved oxygen concentration. 3. Under Calibration Point 2 touch Read From Sensor. STEP RESULT: The value measured by the sensor is transferred to the Sensor Value box. 4. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: Calibration is complete.

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” mode), complete these steps to record a data run: 1. Touch the Start button. You can press one of the record buttons instead of touching the on-screen Start button. Record buttons STEP RESULT: The SPARK creates a new data run and starts recording data points into it.

18 2. To stop recording data, touch the Stop button. You can press one of the record buttons instead of touching the on-screen Stop button. STEP RESULT: The SPARK stops recording data. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Repeat these steps to record another data run. Recording a set of manually sampled data PREREQUISITE Put 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. A series of values is recorded in a data set. Complete these steps to start a data set, trigger points to be recorded, and close the data set: 1. Optionally, turn to a page in your SPARKlab where you will be able to see your data in a table. You can record data with any type of display visible (or no display at all), but it is typical to record manually sampled data while looking at a table. 2. Touch the Start button. You can press one of the record buttons instead of touching the on-screen Start button. STEP RESULT: The SPARK creates a new data set. Live data appear in the data displays. The record buttons start flashing to indicate that the SPARK is ready to be triggered. 3. When you are ready to record a data point, touch the Keep button. You can press one of the record buttons instead of touching the on-screen Keep button.

19 Record buttons STEP RESULT: The SPARK records a single value from each measurement. 4. Repeat the previous step as many times as necessary to record all of the data that you want in the data set. 5. When the entire set has been recorded, touch the Stop button. STEP RESULT: The data set closes. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Repeat these steps to record another data set. Deleting data runs 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch MANAGE RUNS. STEP RESULT: The Manage Runs screen opens. 3. Do one of the following: • Touch Delete Last Run. • Touch Delete All Runs. • Touch Delete Run and select the run that you want to delete. 4. Touch DONE. 5. Touch OK.

Creating a new graph To create a new graph, do one of the following: • If the Home Screen is visible, create a new SPARKlab: a. Touch a measurement. b. Touch SHOW. STEP RESULT: A graph appears on page 1 of the SPARKlab. • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: a. Touch the New Page button. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen opens. b. Touch a measurement (or two measurements). c. Touch the Graph button. d. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: A new page containing a graph is added to the SPARKlab. Showing and hiding the graph tool palette • To show the tool palette, touch the blue Graph Tools button near the lower left corner of the graph. • To hide the tool palette, touch the orange Graph Tools button.

22 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 1. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Scale-to-fit button. TASK RESULT: The graph adjusts to fit all data (or all highlighted data). Scaling by direct manipulation Complete one or more of these steps in any order: • Touch one of the numbers labeling the x-scale of the graph and drag it left or right. STEP RESULT: The graph expands or contracts horizontally. • Touch one of the numbers labeling the y-scale of the graph and drag it up or down. STEP RESULT: The graph expands or contracts vertically. • Touch the middle of the graph and drag it in any direction. STEP RESULT: The graph moves. 1. Expanding and contracting horizontally. 2. Expanding and contracting vertically. 3. Moving.

23 Selecting data to show in an existing graph Showing and hiding data runs in a graph 1. Touch the graph legend in the upper right corner of the graph. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges to show available data runs. 2. Select or clear the check box next to each data run that you want to show or hide. 3. Optionally, touch outside the legend to reduce the size of the legend. Graph legend Changing the variable on the x- or y-axis 1. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. For each axis, touch the Measurement box and select a measurement or other variable. Selecting data for operation in a graph Selecting a data run for operation in a graph In the graph legend, a red outline surrounds the run that is selected for opera- tion. Complete these steps to change which run is selected: 1. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges.

24 2. In the legend, touch the symbol (but not the check box) of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. Graph legend AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: When you turn on statistics, graph tools, or curve fits, they are applied to the selected run. Selecting part of a data run for operation in a graph If part of a data run is selected for operation, the selected data points are high- lighted. Scale-to-fit, statistics, graph tools, and curve fits are applied only to the selected data points. Complete these steps to select part of a data run: 1. If there is more than one data run on the graph, first select the run from which you will select data points: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange.

25 4. 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. STEP RESULT: A selection box appears. Data points inside the box are high- lighted. 5. Optionally, adjust the size and position of the selection box by drag- ging the handles at the corners of the box. 6. When the desired data points are highlighted, touch OK. STEP RESULT: The selection box disappears, but the points remain selected. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To clear the selection, touch the Select button again. Annotating data in a graph Adding an annotation 1. If there is more than one data run on the graph, first select the run that the annotation will be attached to: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. 4. Touch a point on the graph. 5. Touch OK.

26 6. Touch the Annotation button. STEP RESULT: The on-screen keyboard appears. 7. Enter a note and touch OK. STEP RESULT: An annotation appears on the graph. 8. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns blue. Editing or deleting an annotation 1. If necessary, touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the annotation that you want to edit or delete. STEP RESULT: The annotation is highlighted. 3. Touch the Annotation button. STEP RESULT: The on-screen keyboard appears. 4. Edit or delete the annotation and touch OK. Displaying data in a table Creating a new table To create a new table, do one of the following: • If the Home Screen is visible, create a new SPARKlab: a. Touch a measurement. b. Touch SHOW. STEP RESULT: A SPARKlab appears. c. Use the page navigator to turn to the table on page 3.

27 • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: a. Touch the New Page button. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen opens. b. Touch a measurement (or up to five measurements). c. Touch the Table button. d. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: A new page containing a table is added to the SPARKlab. Showing and hiding the table tool pallet • To show the tool palette, touch the blue Table Tools button near the upper left corner of the table. • To hide the tool palette, touch the orange Table Tools button. Scrolling a table • Touch the middle of the table and drag it up or down.

28 Selecting data to show in an existing table Selecting a run for display in an existing column 1. Touch the run number at the top of the column. STEP RESULT: A list of available runs appears. 2. Touch the run that you want to see. Changing the variable displayed in an existing column 1. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Column box and select the column that you want to change. Columns are number 1, 2, 3, etc. from left to right. 4. Touch the Measurement box and select the measurement or other variable that you want to see. 5. Touch OK. Adding a column A table can contain up to six columns. Complete these steps to add a column to a table: 1. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Optionally, select a position in the table where the new column will be inserted: a. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. b. Touch the column to the right of where you want the new column to appear. If you do not select a position, the new column will be added to the right side of the table.

29 3. Touch the Add Column button. TASK RESULT: A new, empty column is added to the table. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Properties button to select a measure- ment or other variable to display in the new column. Removing a column 1. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. 3. Touch the column that you want to remove. 4. Touch the Remove Column button. Selecting cells for operation in a table If a group of table cells is selected for operation, the selected cells are outlined. If statistics are displayed, they apply only to the data in the selected cells. Complete these steps to select cells: 1. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. 3. On the table, drag down a column, across a row, or diagonally across rows and columns to select a group of cells. The selected group of cells is outlined.

30 1. Selecting cells in a single column. 2. Selecting cells in a single row. 3. Selecting cells in multiple columns and rows. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To clear the selection, touch the Select button again. Displaying data in a digits display Creating a new digits display To create a new digits display, do one of the following: • If the Home Screen is visible, create a new SPARKlab: a. Touch a measurement. b. Touch SHOW. STEP RESULT: A SPARKlab appears. c. Use the page navigator to turn to the digits display on page 2. • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: a. Touch the New Page button. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen opens. b. Touch a measurement. c. Touch the Digits Display button. d. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: A new page containing a digits display is added to the SPARKlab.

31 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 1. Touch the Digits Display Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select the measurement or other variable that you want to see. 4. Touch OK. Displaying data in a meter Creating a new meter To create a new meter, do one of the following: • If the Home Screen is visible, create a new SPARKlab: a. Touch a measurement. b. Touch SHOW. STEP RESULT: A SPARKlab appears. c. Use the page navigator to turn to the meter on page 4.

32 • If a SPARKlab is open, add a new page: a. Touch the New Page button. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen opens. b. Touch a measurement. c. Touch the Meter button. d. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: A new page containing a meter is added to the SPARKlab. Showing and hiding the meter tool palette • To show the tool palette, touch the blue Meter Tools button near the lower left corner of the meter. • To hide the tool palette, touch the orange Meter Tools button. Adjusting the scale of a meter Causing a meter to scale-to-fit 1. Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette 2. Touch the Scale-to-fit button. TASK RESULT: The scale of the meter adjusts to fit the currently displayed data run.

33 Setting the scale of a meter 1. Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. For the Always Scale to Fit option select off. 4. Touch the Minimum box and enter the low value of the desired range. 5. Touch the Maximum box and enter the high value of the desired range. 6. Touch OK. Changing the variable displayed in a meter 1. Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select the measurement or other variable that you want to see. 4. Touch OK. Customizing the appearance of a meter 1. Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Sweep Range box and select Small Sweep, Semicircle, or Large Sweep. 4. Touch OK.

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. Analyzing data in a graph Viewing statistics in a graph Complete these steps to see the minimum, maximum, mean, standard devia- tion, count, and area-under-the-curve of a data run: 1. If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Statistics button to open the Statistics screen. 4. Touch one or more of the statistics. Selected statistics are highlighted. 5. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: Statistics appear on the graph.

36 6. 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. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To remove the statistics, touch the Statistics button again. Applying a curve fit Complete these steps to apply a linear, quadratic, power, inverse, inverse square, or sine fit to a data run: 1. If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Curve Fit button to open the Curve Fit screen. 4. Touch one curve fit to select it. 5. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: The curve and parameters of the curve appear on the graph. 6. Optionally, select part of the data set for the curve fit to be applied to. See “Selecting part of a data run for operation in a graph” on page 24. Removing a curve fit 1. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Curve Fit button.

37 Drawing a prediction Complete these steps to manually sketch on a graph: 1. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Prediction button. 3. Do one of the following: • Trace a continuous curve on the graph. • Touch several locations on the graph to draw a series of connected points. 4. Touch OK. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To delete the prediction, touch the Prediction button again. Finding the x- and y-values of a point Complete these steps to select a point on a graph and display its coordinates: 1. If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. 4. Touch a point on the graph. STEP RESULT: The x- and y-values of the selected point are displayed.

38 5. Optionally, use the point selector to change which point is selected. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: 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: 1. If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. 4. 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. STEP RESULT: A selection box appears. Data points inside the box are high- lighted. 5. Optionally, adjust the size and position of the selection box by drag- ging the handles at the corners of the box. 6. When the desired data points are highlighted, touch OK. STEP RESULT: The selection box disappears, but the points remain selected.

39 7. Touch the Coordinates button. TASK RESULT: 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 • The x- and y-differences between those two points (dx and dy). AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To clear the annotation, touch the Coordinates button again. To clear the selection, touch the Select button again. Finding the slope at a point on a data plot Complete these steps to display the slope at a selected point. 1. If more than one data run is displayed, first select a run: a. Touch the graph legend. STEP RESULT: The legend enlarges. b. In the legend, touch the symbol of the run that you want to select. STEP RESULT: The red outline moves to the selected run. 2. Touch the Graph Tools button to open the tool palette. 3. Touch the Slope Tool button. STEP RESULT: A slope tool appears on the graph displaying the slope at one point. 4. Use the point selector to move the slope tool to nearby points.

40 5. Complete these sub-steps to move the slope tool to any point on the data plot: a. Touch the Select button. STEP RESULT: The button turns orange. b. Touch a point on the graph. STEP RESULT: The slope tool moves to the selected point. c. Touch the select button again. STEP RESULT: The button turns blue. Repeat these sub-steps to move the slope tool to another point. TASK RESULT: To hide the slope tool, touch the Slope Tool button again. Viewing statistics in a table Complete these steps to see the minimum, maximum, mean, standard devia- tion, and count of data runs: 1. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Statistics button to open the Statistics screen. 3. Touch one or more of the statistics. Selected statistics are highlighted 4. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: Statistics appear at the bottom of each column. 5. Optionally, select a group of cells for statistics to be applied to. See “Viewing statistics in a table” on page 40. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Statistics button again to remove the statistics.

41 Viewing statistics in a digits display Complete these steps to see the minimum, maximum, mean, standard devia- tion, or count of a data run: 1. Touch the Digits Display Tools button to open the tool palette. 2. Touch the Statistics button to open the Statistics screen. 3. Touch one of the statistics to select it. 4. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The selected statistic appears in the digits display (instead of the most recently collected value that normally appears). AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Statistics button again to return the digits display to normal. Viewing statistics in a meter Complete these steps to see the minimum, maximum, mean, standard devia- tion, or count of a data run: 1. Touch the Meter Tools button to open the tool palette 2. Touch the Statistics button to open the Statistics screen. 3. Touch one of the statistics to select it. 4. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The meter indicates the selected statistic (instead of the most recently collected value that it normally indicates). AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: Touch the Statistics button again to return the meter to normal.

Working with calculations Opening the calculator screen 1. Touch the Experiment Tools button. STEP RESULT: The Experiment Tools screen opens. 2. Touch CALCULATED DATA. STEP RESULT: 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: • To insert a measurement into the expression, touch Measurements. • To cycle through the various functions available for use in the expres- sion, touch Functions. • If the expression contains a trigonometric function, select RAD or DEG to indicate how angles are measured. • To enter words or letters into the expression, touch the Letters button. • To enter Greek letters into the expression, touch the Greek Letters button. Touch CAPS or SHIFT to switch between lowercase and uppercase Greek letters.

ENTERING DATA MANUALLY 44 • To enter subscript and superscript numbers, use the number keys on the Greek keyboard. Touch CAPS or SHIFT to switch between subscript and superscript. • 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. Displaying a calculation Once you have created a calculation, it is available to be shown in any data display. Complete these steps to select the calculation for display. 1. Touch the Tools button of a graph, digits display, table, or meter to open the tools palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select the calculation. 4. Touch OK. Entering data manually These steps outline the process of manual data entry. See the following tasks for detailed instructions. 1. Open the measurements list in the page-build screen or the Table Prop- erties screen. 2. Create a empty data set for number or text data entry. 3. Prepare a table for data entry. 4. Enter data in the table.

ENTERING DATA MANUALLY 45 5. Optionally, display the entered data in other displays. 6. 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. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen containing the measurements list opens. • If a SPARKlab is open and you want to enter data into a new table, touch the New Page button. STEP RESULT: The page-build screen containing the measurements list opens. • If you want to enter data into an existing table, complete these sub-steps: a. Touch the Table Tools button to open the tool palette. b. Touch the Add Column button to add a new empty column. c. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. d. Touch the Measurement box to open the measurement list. STEP RESULT: The measurement list opens. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: In the measurement list, create an empty data set as described in the next task. Creating a data set for manual entry Complete one of the following tasks. Creating a data set for manually entered numbers 1. In the measurement list under User-entered Number Data, touch Create Data Set. STEP RESULT: The Define the Data Set screen opens.

ENTERING DATA MANUALLY 46 2. Touch the Measurement Name box and enter a name for the new data set. 3. Optionally, touch the Unit Name box and enter the name of the units. 4. Touch OK. Creating a data set for manually entered text 1. In the measurement list under User-entered Text Data, touch Create Data Set. STEP RESULT: The Define the Data Set screen opens. 2. Touch the Measurement Name box and enter a name for the new data set. 3. 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: • If the Table Properties screen is open, touch OK. STEP RESULT: The table appears displaying the empty data set ready for data entry. • If the page build screen is open, build a page containing the empty data set displayed in a table: a. In the measurement list, touch the data set that you just created to select it. b. Touch the Table button. c. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: A new table appears displaying the empty data set ready for data entry.

ENTERING DATA MANUALLY 47 Entering data into a manual data set After creating a data set as described in the previous tasks, complete these steps to enter data: 1. If the table tool palette is not already open, touch the Table Tools button. 2. Touch the Select button. 3. Enter data in a cell: a. Touch the first table cell where you want to enter data. b. Touch the Data Entry button and enter a number or text (depending on what type of data set you created). 4. Repeat the previous step to enter data in other cells. Displaying manually entered data Once you have created a data set, it is available to be shown in any data display such as a graph. Complete these steps to select the data set for display. 1. Touch the Tools button of a graph, digits display, table, or meter to open the tools palette. 2. Touch the Properties button to open the properties screen. 3. Touch the Measurement box and select the data set. 4. Touch OK. Editing manually entered data 1. If the table tool palette is not already open, touch the Table Tools button.

ENTERING DATA MANUALLY 48 2. Touch the Select button. 3. Touch the table cell containing the data that you want to change. 4. Touch the Data Entry button and change or delete the number or text.

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. TASK RESULT: The page-build screen appears. Page-build screen: 1. Measurements. 2. Data display, image box, and text box buttons. 3. Preview.

ADDING A DISPLAY TO A SPARKLAB PAGE 50 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: 1. Touch one or two measurements (or other variables) to select them. If you select just one measurement, it will be plotted on the y-axis with time on the x-axis. If you select two measurements, the first selected will be plotted on the y-axis, and the second selected will be plotted on the x-axis. 2. Touch the Graph button. TASK RESULT: A graph is added to the preview. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: If you have finished adding elements to the page, touch OK to exit the page-build screen. Adding a table Complete these steps in the page-build screen: 1. Touch one or more measurements or other variables (up to five) to select them. 2. Touch the Table button. TASK RESULT: A table is added to the preview. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: If you have finished adding elements to the page, touch OK to exit the page-build screen. Adding a digits display Complete these steps in the page-build screen: 1. Touch one measurement or other variable to select it.

ADDING A TEXT BOX 51 2. Touch the Digits Display button. TASK RESULT: A digits display is added to the preview. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: If you have finished adding elements to the page, touch OK to exit the page-build screen. Adding a meter Complete these steps in the page-build screen: 1. Touch one measurement or other variable to select it. 2. Touch the Meter button. TASK RESULT: A meter is added to the preview. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: If you have finished adding elements to the page, touch OK to exit the page-build screen. Adding a text box Complete these steps in the page-build screen: 1. Touch the large or small Text Box button. STEP RESULT: A text box is added to the preview. 2. Optionally, add other elements to the page. 3. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: The new page containing the empty text box appears. 4. Touch the text box and enter text. You can enter text (such as experiment instructions) as part of the initial exper- iment setup or leave the text box empty as a place to answer questions or enter notes during the experiment.

ADDING AN IMAGE 52 Adding an image Complete these steps in the page-build screen: 1. Touch the large or small Image Box button. STEP RESULT: An image box is added to the preview. 2. Optionally, add other elements to the page. 3. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: The new page containing the empty image box appears. 4. On a computer, save an image file to a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). The image can be any size; however, to fit exactly in the image box, use an image with pixel dimensions of: 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). 5. Connect the flash drive to USB port of the SPARK. 6. On the SPARKlab page, touch the image box. STEP RESULT: The image palette appears. 7. Touch the Load button. STEP RESULT: A list of folders and images on the USB flash drive appears. 8. Touch an image file to select it. 9. Touch Load. STEP RESULT: The image from the selected file appears in the image box. 10. Optionally, touch the image to hide the image palette. 11. Optionally, remove the USB flash drive. Removing or replacing an image in a image box 1. Touch the image to open the image palette.

LOCKING AN IMAGE 53 2. 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. However, the SPARKlab page that contains the locked image can be deleted. 1. Touch the image to open the image palette. 2. Touch the Lock button. About adding multiple elements to a SPARKlab page Each SPARKlab page can contain multiple displays, images, and text boxes. The maximum number of elements on a page depends on the sizes of the elements. A page can contain: • up to two large elements, • up to six small elements, or • one large element and up to two small elements. The large elements are: • graphs, • tables, • large image boxes, and • large text boxes. The small elements are: • digits displays,

DELETING A SPARKLAB PAGE 54 • 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. 3. Two small or elements. 4. One large and two small elements. 5. Three small elements. 6. Six small elements. Deleting a SPARKlab page • While viewing the page in a SPARKlab, touch the Delete Page button.

Saving a lab Complete these steps to save your work on the SPARK or on a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). 1. Optionally, connect a USB flash drive to the SPARK. 2. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen. 3. Touch SAVE FILE AS. STEP RESULT: The save file screen opens. 4. Touch the Name box and enter a name for your experiment. 5. If you plan to save the lab on a USB flash drive touch USB. 6. Optionally, touch a folder to select it. The experiment will be saved in the selected folder. 7. Optionally, touch an existing file to select it. The selected file will be overwritten. 8. Touch SAVE. STEP RESULT: The experiment is saved, and the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen. 9. Touch DONE to return to your SPARKlab. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: After you have saved a file once using the procedure above, you can quickly save the file again by touching SAVE FILE instead of SAVE FILE AS in the Sharing screen.

PRINTING A LAB 56 Printing a lab The SPARKlab cannot be printed directly; however, you can capture SPARKlab pages in the journal and print the journal You will need a compatible USB printer. Most USB inkjet printers manufac- tured by HP are compatible with SPARK. Complete these steps to take a snapshots of SPARKlab pages and print the snap- shots: 1. On each SPARKlab page that you wish to print, touch the Snapshot button. STEP RESULT: Each time you touch the Snapshot button, the Snapshot Quick View appears briefly and an image of the page is added to the journal. 2. Connect a printer to USB port of the SPARK. 3. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen. 4. Touch the JOURNAL tab. 5. Touch PRINT JOURNAL to open the journal print page. 6. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: The journal is printed, and the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen. 7. Touch DONE to return to your SPARKlab. Exporting data To export data, you will need a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). The data that you have collected will be saved on the flash drive in a tab-delim- ited text file that can be opened on a computer. 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: 1. Connect a flash drive to USB port of the SPARK. 2. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen.

OPENING A SAVED LAB 57 3. Touch EXPORT DATA to open the export data page. 4. Touch the Name box and enter a filename. 5. Touch EXPORT. STEP RESULT: A data file is saved on the USB flash drive, and the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen. 6. Touch DONE. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: To view the saved data, connect the flash drive to a computer. Open the file in a spreadsheet program, mapping program, word processor, or text editor. Opening a saved lab Complete these steps to open a lab saved on the SPARK: 1. If necessary, touch the Home button to return to the Home Screen. 2. In the Home Screen, touch OPEN. 3. Touch the SAVED WORK tab. 4. If necessary, touch the folder where the file is saved. 5. Touch the file that you would like to open. 6. Touch OK. TASK RESULT: The lab opens. Opening a lab saved on a USB flash drive 1. Connect a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device) to the SPARK. 2. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 3. Touch Manage Files. 4. Copy or move the lab from the flash drive to the SPARK (see next section).

MANAGING FILES AND FOLDERS 58 5. Optionally, disconnect the USB flash drive. 6. Open the file as described in the previous task. Managing files and folders Deleting a file or folder 1. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 2. Touch Manage Files to open the Manage Files screen. 3. Touch DELETE FILES. STEP RESULT: A list of file locations, folders, and files appears. 4. If necessary, touch the folder and subfolders that contain the file or folder. 5. Touch the file or folder that you want to delete. 6. Touch DELETE. Moving a file Complete these steps to move a file between folders within the SPARK, or between the SPARK and a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). 1. Optionally, connect a USB flash drive to the SPARK. 2. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 3. Touch Manage Files to open the Manage Files screen. 4. Touch MOVE FILES. STEP RESULT: A list of file locations, folders, and files appears. 5. Touch the location (SPARK or USB) of the file that you want to move. 6. If necessary, touch the folder and subfolders that contain the file. 7. Touch the file that you want to move. 8. Touch NEXT. 9. Touch the destination (SPARK or USB).

MANAGING FILES AND FOLDERS 59 10. Touch the folder and subfolders where you would like the file to be moved. 11. Touch MOVE. Copying a file Complete these steps to copy a file between folders within the SPARK, or between the SPARK and a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). 1. Optionally, connect a USB flash drive to the SPARK. 2. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 3. Touch Manage Files to open the Manage Files screen. 4. Touch COPY FILES. STEP RESULT: A list of file locations, folders, and files appears. 5. Touch the location (SPARK or USB) of the file that you want to copy. 6. If necessary, touch the folder and subfolders that contain the file. 7. Touch the file that you want to copy. 8. Touch NEXT. 9. Touch the destination (SPARK or USB). 10. Touch the folder and subfolders where you would like the copy of the file to be saved. 11. Touch COPY.

The journal allows you to keep a record of your work in a series of pictures and captions as your science investigation progresses. These steps outline the process of keeping a journal. See the following tasks for detailed instructions. 1. Take a snapshot. STEP RESULT: An image of the screen is recorded. 2. Optionally, add a caption to the snapshot. 3. Repeat the previous steps at anytime during your science investigation. 4. Save, export, or print the journal. Taking a snapshot At any time during your science investigation, complete these steps to save an image of the SPARK screen. • Press the Snapshot button. TASK RESULT: The SPARK records an image of the screen, and the Snapshot Quick View appears briefly. The Snapshot Quick View AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: You can let the Snapshot Quick View close auto- matically or use the buttons in the Snapshot Quick View to open the journal, add a caption, or delete the snapshot.

OPENING THE JOURNAL 62 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 • In the journal or the Snapshot Quick View, touch the Edit Caption button and enter a caption. Deleting a journal entry or snapshot • In the journal or the Snapshot Quick View, touch the Delete button to delete the currently visible journal entry. Navigating in the journal • In the journal, touch a thumbnail on the right side of the screen to view a journal entry. • Use the arrows to scroll through the thumbnails

EDITING A CAPTION 63 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. Closing the journal • Touch DONE to close the journal and return to the SPARKlab.

SAVING A JOURNAL 64 Saving a journal Do one of the following to save a journal: • Save the entire lab. See “Saving a lab” on page 55. STEP RESULT: The journal is saved as part of the lab. • Export the journal. See next task. STEP RESULT: The journal is saved on a USB flash drive. Exporting a journal To export a journal, you will need a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). The journal will be saved on the flash drive as a group of files that can be viewed in the web browser on a computer. 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: 1. Connect a USB flash drive or other USB storage device to the SPARK. 2. If you are currently viewing the journal, touch DONE to return to the SPARKlab. 3. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen. 4. Touch the JOURNAL tab. 5. Touch EXPORT JOURNAL to open the journal export page. 6. Touch the Name box and enter a name for your journal. 7. Optionally, touch a folder on the flash drive where you would like the journal to be saved. If you skip this step, the journal will be saved in a folder at the root level of the flash drive. 8. Touch EXPORT. STEP RESULT: When the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen, the journal has been saved on the flash drive.

PRINTING A JOURNAL 65 9. Touch DONE to return to your SPARKlab. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK: 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. Printing a journal To print a journal, you will need a compatible USB printer. Most USB inkjet printers manufactured by HP are compatible with SPARK. Complete these steps to export a journal. 1. Connect a printer to USB port of the SPARK. 2. If you are currently viewing the journal, touch DONE to return to the SPARKlab. 3. Touch the Sharing button to open the Sharing screen. 4. Touch the JOURNAL tab. 5. Touch PRINT JOURNAL to open the print journal page. 6. Touch OK. STEP RESULT: The journal is printed, and the SPARK returns to the Sharing screen. 7. Touch DONE to return to your SPARKlab.

Returning to the Home Screen • 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.

68 • To enter punctuation and other symbols, touch the Punctuation button. • To enter Greek letters, touch the Greek Letters button. Touch CAPS or SHIFT to switch between lowercase and uppercase Greek letters. • To enter subscript and superscript numbers, use the number keys on the Greek keyboard. Touch CAPS or SHIFT to switch between subscript and superscript. • To start a new line, touch RETURN. • When you have finished entering text or a number, touch OK. Creating a new folder When you save, move, or copy a file, you will see the option to create a new folder: Complete these steps to create a new folder. 1. Touch the existing folder that will contain the new folder. You can skip this step if you are creating a new folder on a USB flash drive (or other USB storage device). 2. Touch New Folder. 3. Enter the name of the new folder. TASK RESULT: A new folder is created. Reactivating the SPARK Science Learning System when it is in sleep mode If you haven't touched the SPARK for several minutes, it may go into sleep mode. 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.

69 • 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 • Press and hold the power button on the bottom of the SPARK.

Updating the SPARK Science Learning System 1. Check the firmware version installed on your SPARK: a. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. b. Touch About SPARK. 2. Visit www.pasco.com/spark to check for the latest update. 3. Follow the instructions on the website to download and install the update. 4. Also check for the latest version of this user's guide on the website. Charging the battery 1. Connect the SPARK to the AC Adapter. 2. Connect the AC Adapter to a wall outlet. TASK RESULT: The battery begins to recharge.

HOW BATTERY STATUS IS INDICATED 72 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 fully charged Flashing green battery sleep mode Constant red low battery Flashing red charging Status light Setting the date and time 1. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 2. Touch Set Date & Time to open the Set Date & Time screen. 3. Set the date, time, and time zone.

ABOUT SLEEP MODES 73 4. Touch OK. 5. 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. The screen goes dark, but the SPARK will continue to record data (if it is recording). If the SPARK is recording data, the record buttons continue to flash blue. Battery Sleep mode Battery Sleep mode occurs when the SPARK is running on battery power, has received no user input for a certain amount of time, and is not recording data. The screen goes dark and power to the sensors is cut off. The status light flashes green. Status light Customizing sleep modes Complete these steps to set the amount of idle time that will elapse before the SPARK goes into each type of sleep mode: 1. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 2. Touch Display Settings to open the Display Settings screen.

ADJUSTING THE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS 74 3. Use the Screen Sleep Time arrows to adjust the idle time for Screen Sleep mode. 4. Touch OK. 5. Touch Power Settings to open the Power Settings screen. 6. Use the Battery Sleep Time arrows to adjust the idle time for Battery Sleep mode. 7. Touch OK. 8. Touch DONE. Adjusting the screen brightness 1. Touch the Date/Time/Battery icon to open the Device Tools screen. 2. Touch Display Settings to open the Display Settings screen. 3. Use the Screen Brightness arrows to adjust the screen brightness. 4. Touch OK. 5. Touch DONE. Calibrating the touch-screen 1. Hold down both record buttons and touch the screen three times. STEP RESULT: The first of a series of green boxes appears. 2. Touch the center of each green box. 3. Touch OK. Product End of Life Disposal Instructions This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations that vary by country and region. It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic equip- ment per your local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact

SPARK BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS 75 your local waste recycle/disposal service, or the place where you purchased the product. The European Union WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol (above) and on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste container. 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. Battery Disposal- Batteries contain chemicals that, if released, may affect the environment and human health. Batteries should be collected separately for recycling, and recycled at a local hazardous material disposal location adhering to your country and local government regulations. To find out where you can drop off your waste battery for recycling, please contact your local waste disposal service, or the place where you purchased the product. The Lithium Polymer (Li-Poly) rechargeable battery used in this product is marked with the International symbols (above) to indicate the need for the separate collection and recycling of batteries.

analysis 35 annotations 25, 26 B battery charging 71 status 72 BUILD command 6 building a page 6, 49 C calculations creating 43 displaying 44 calculator 43 calibrating sensors 13 captions 62, 63 change in x and y 38 continuous sampling mode data recording in 17 putting SPARK into 9 copying files 59 curve fits 36 custom SPARKlabs 6 D data analysis 35 data points selecting for operation 24 x- and y-distance between 38 x- and y-values of 37 data recording 17, 18 data runs selecting for operation 23 showing and hiding 23, 28 date and time 72 decimal places 10 deleting annotations 26 data runs 19 files and folders 58 journal entries and snapshots 62 SPARKlab pages 54 delta x and y 38 digits display adding to SPARKlab page 50 changing variables in 31 creating 30 statistics 41 tool palette 31 direct manipulation of graph 22 displaying data in digits display 30 in graph 21 in meter 31 in table 26 disposal instructions 74, 75 E editing annotations 26 journal captions 63 manually entered data 48 exporting data 56 exporting journal 64 F firmware updates 71 folders, creating 68 G getting started 1 graph adding to SPARKlab page 50 analysis curve fit 36 curve fits 36 finding x- and y-values of points 37 slope 36, 39 statistics 35 x- and y-distance between points 38 annotation 25, 26 changing variables in 23 creating 21 prediction drawing 37 scaling 22 selecting data for operation 23, 24 showing and hiding data runs 23 tool palette 21 H Home Screen 67 I images 52

adding snapshot 61 closing 63 deleting entries and snapshots 62 editing 63 exporting 64 navigating in 62 opening 62 printing 65 rearranging entries 63 saving 64 K keyboard, on-screen 67 M manual sampling mode data recording in 18 putting SPARK into 10 manually entered data 44 meter adding to SPARKlab page 51 changing variable in 33 creating 31 customizing appearance 33 scaling 32, 33 statistics 41 tool palette 32 monitoring live data 5 moving files 58 N new folder 68 new page 49 O off button 69 on button 3 OPEN command 5, 57 opening journal 62 opening saved labs 57 opening SPARKlabs 5 P page-build screen 6, 49 pages about 53 turning 67 PASPORT sensor ports 4 periodic sampling mode data recording in 17 putting SPARK into 9 pictures 52 power 3 power button 3, 69 prediction drawing 37 printing 56, 65 R record buttons 17, 18, 68 recording data 17, 18 S sample rate 9 sampling modes manual 10 periodic (continuous) 9 saving 55 scale-to-fit in graph 22 in meter 32 scientific notation 11 screen brightness 74 calibration 74 scrolling 27 selecting data for operation 23, 24, 29 sensor ports 4 SHOW command 6 show-path SPARKlabs 6 significant figures 11 sleep modes 68, 73 slope 36, 39 Slope Tool 39 Snapshot Quick View 61 snapshots 61 SPARK Science Learning System, about 1 SPARKlabs about 1 about pages 53 adding pages 49 custom 6, 49 opening 5 show-path 6 turning pages 67 statistics 35, 40, 41 status light 72 support, technical 2

adding to SPARKlab page 50 changing variables in 28 creating 26 removing column 29 scrolling 27 selecting data for operation 29 selecting run for display 28 statistics 40 tool palette 27 technical support 2 temperature probe 4 text boxes 51 time and date 72 tool palette in digits display 31 in graph 21 in meter 32 in table 27 touch-screen calibration 74 turning pages 67 U units of measure 12 updating 71 USB flash drive 56, 57, 64 V voltage probe 5