Students in Cal U’s Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences will be measuring with greater precision and accuracy thanks to a technology company in Long Island, N.Y.
Arlyn Scales, a leader in the design and development of weighing technology, has donated an industrial, professional-grade scale to the Cal U biology department. The digital Ultra Precision Scale provides greater accuracy, sensitivity and stability than regular scales, the company explains.
“Having this instrument will ensure that our students have access to the best equipment available,” says Dr. David Argent, professor of wildlife and fisheries science. “It will allow our faculty to enhance their labs with state-of-the-art equipment to be used for teaching and student research.”
Ohad Yarel, a spokesperson for Arlyn Scales, says the small business was glad to donate the instrument to Cal U. “We want to give back to the community by supporting the young minds of today and the future.”
Hands-on learning
Academic programs at Cal U, including those in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, engage students in applied and active learning. Students are encouraged to take part in hands-on learning activities that address real-world problems and serve local communities.
In a Cal U ecology class, for example, students weigh individual plants as they investigate the effect of increasing density on the growth of agricultural crops.
In an agricultural setting, Argent explains, it is important to understand plant competition so that growers know how many plants to sow and how far apart they should be planted for optimal results. By assessing plant weight, student researchers seek to determine the density and total biomass of plants in a given area and to determine survival patterns among them.
“This Ultra Precision Scale will allow our students to perform repeated measurement tasks efficiently and precisely,” Argent says. “With this instrument, students can make highly precise measurements, which produce more accurate research results.”
Study biology and environmental sciences at Cal U
California University of Pennsylvania offers a variety of bachelor’s degrees and concentrations in biology and environmental sciences, including programs of study in natural resource management, fisheries and wildlife biology and conservation ecology. Students also can study environmental leadership and management or prepare to teach biology in secondary schools.