Dave and Christine Vernier combined Dave’s creativity and passion for science education with Christine’s business acumen, and founded Vernier Software & Technology about 40 years ago in Beaverton. Their award-winning interfaces, sensors, software, and lab books help engage and excite students around the world through hands-on scientific investigation, and their products are used across Beaverton School District classrooms. We sat down with Dave and Christine to learn why they’ve supported BEF for more than 20 years and how it helps their business.
Why is supporting public education in Beaverton important for our community and economic development?
Beaverton has one of the best reputations for public schools in Oregon, and we need to keep it that way. Good public schools are critical, and as a country we have not been funding them as well as we used to. And solid public schools are especially important when we’re recruiting high level employees like programmers and executives. The world is changing, and maybe all our employees don’t need to live near our office. If our employees — or anyone, really — can live anywhere, it’s all the more important to make Beaverton a great place to live, work, and raise a family, so people want to stay.
Why do you support BEF instead of individual schools?
BEF makes it simple to give in the most valuable way. It could be our full time jobs to review proposals and decide who really needs the money most. Instead, we trust BEF to identify and evaluate the most critical projects, ones that will make the most difference. We appreciate that BEF funds projects that get kids excited about learning, promote new ideas, and help programs become models for other schools.
Why is hands-on learning so important?
When I was a teacher in Hillsboro about 40 years ago, I quickly learned that lectures don’t work for most students. They learn much more when they are engaged in a project or a lab exercise or working in a group. So we’re big fans of having kids act like scientists and do what scientists do, which is investigate things and make conclusions. We’re proud to make products that inspire and enable interactive learning for students, and to have our products used in Beaverton public schools.
How does supporting BEF benefit your business?
First, like we said earlier, the better our public schools are, the better employees we can attract and retain to work here in Beaverton.
Second, our employees tell us they appreciate that we support their kids’ schools. We encourage them to give to BEF and other great local causes through our matching giving program. This is another way we attract and retain the best employees.
Lastly, we need skilled employees and by helping ensure everyone gets a good high school education, we’re feeding our pipeline. From managers and programmers to shipment packers, they all need good computer and communication skills. Well-equipped and well-funded public schools can provide that education.
“We use Vernier products in our physics, chemistry, and biology courses because our students engage more with the lessons and learn quickly and in a more meaningful way. In our science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) lessons, they use sensors to collect real data and learn how to analyze it with a simple interface. 100% hands-on learning like this puts an emphasis on technology skills, and students see how they can be applied in real life.”
—Carlie Harris, science teacher at Beaverton Academy of Science & Engineering (BASE)
