Protocols

Field Protocols: Palm IIIc

Before You Leave for the Field

1. Set Vital Signs Preferences

Why set preferences?

The Vital Signs Measurements page can be modified to suit your specific field measurement needs. For instance, if you are only collecting temperature and pH data, you can have the Measurements page display Temp and pH only (striking DO and salinity from view). Having only the necessary peripherals listed is most helpful when working with students to avoid confusion and/or distraction in the field.

To set preferences

• From the blue Vital Signs start page, tap the menu icon in the lower left of the screen to access the Options drop down menu
• Choose [Preferences]
• Select the probes you plan to use during your site visit by tapping the appropriate boxes. Check marks should appear in each box you select.
• Tap [OK] to return to the blue Vital Signs page
   
  
2. Calibrate Analytical Probes

What is calibration?  Why is probe calibration important?

Calibration is a process whereby scientific instruments are checked to make sure they are making accurate measurements. Instruments and equipment that typically need frequent calibration include scales, probes, and clocks. Readings from these instruments and others tend to "drift" over time and become unreliable.

Most calibration protocols ask that you compare the instrument you are using to standards of a known value. Adjustments to your instrument may be made automatically or manually depending on the type of instrument you are using.

In collecting data to better understand our environment, it is important that we use reliable instruments. We want our data to be as accurate as possible and the best reflection of what is really happening. Quick operational checks and instrument adjustments are a small price to pay for good, dependable data.

In the lab

• Calibrate temperature, DO, and pH probes: See "Collecting Data" for individual probe calibration protocols.

Tips & Tricks

• DO and pH probes must be calibrated before each use
• Temperature probes need calibrating less frequently than DO and pH probes, but should not be neglected
   
  

In the Field

1. Select Your Site

2. What makes a good Vital Signs site?

   Tips & Tricks

3. Take Digital Images

4. Why are images important to data collection?

   Digital images provide a visual, portable snapshot of your field site at the time you collected data. Images are useful when processing your data away from the field, explaining your findings to someone unfamiliar with your field site, remembering certain important aspects of your site, visually comparing one study site to another, etc. Images are also very useful in species identification, especially if you see a plant or animal that you do not recognize.

   What should you take images of?

   In the field

   Important: Pictures must be taken before launching and entering data in the VS program

   • Attach the PalmPix camera to the Palm IIIc.
   • Tap the house/home icon and launch the PalmPix application by tapping on the PalmPix icon.
   • Chose desired resolution by tapping the box with lots of dots (high resolution) or the box with fewer dots (lower resolution). We recommend using the high resolution setting.
   • Take one or more images using the calendar button (left-most button), making sure to hold the Palm steady. Do not move the camera until you see the image being stored (a black bar grows from left to right under the image on your Palm screen). DO NOT remove camera attachment before image is completely saved or you will lose your image
   • Return to the home screen and remove your PalmPix camera
   • Launch the Vital Signs application.
   • Click on the camera icon to access the Images page.
   • Select an image to associate with this record. If more than one image is stored in the Palm, you may scroll through them by tapping [Next] and [Prev]. When the desired image appears, tap [Select]
   • Tap the Globe icon to move on to the Location page.

   Tips & Tricks

   • Helpful information is embedded in Vital Signs - tap the "i" icon (upper right corner of the screen).
      
     
5. Find Your Location

6. Why is it important to find and record your location?

   Every place on Earth has a known geographical address. This address is written as a set of latitude and longitude coordinates. It is useful to know this address when you are collecting scientific information about a place for many reasons. The most important being so you or someone interested in your data can easily and accurately find your study site again.

   We can find and record our geographic location using a map and compass. GPS (Geographic Positioning System) helps us find our location using satellites and handheld receivers instead of maps. There are certain benefits and limitations to both methods.

   In the field

   • Tap the Globe icon to move to the Location page.
   • Plug in the GPS receiver to the Palm
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] - or if you are collecting data from the same place your collected previously, tap [Use Last Position].
   • Wait for the satellite to lock. It may take 30 seconds to 3 minutes to establish a lock.
   • The program will display [Locked!] when the GPS receiver has determined a location.
   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.

   Tips & Tricks

   • Helpful information is embedded in Vital Signs - tap the "i" icon (upper right corner of the screen).
   • Take the reading in an open area with access to the southern sky.
   • Keep the GPS facing up when taking a reading.
   • Keep the GPS still when taking a reading.
   • If the GPS is not working, roll the batteries to make better contact (also see Battery Tips & Tricks below).
      
     
7. Measure Water Temperature

8. What is temperature?  Why is temperature important to aquatic systems?

   Temperature is a measure of how hot or cold something is. Temperature is important to plants and animals that live in the water in two ways: (1) by affecting the temperature of the creature itself, and (2) by its affect on the water chemistry.

   Most aquatic animals are cold blooded, meaning that their internal body temperature changes as the water temperature changes. A fish cannot regulate its body temperature like a human can. Each aquatic animal has a certain range of temperature it can tolerate and survive in. Water does not have to boil or freeze solid to kill a creature living in it.

   The primary way temperature affects water chemistry is through its effect on how much oxygen can dissolve in water. The colder the water is, the more oxygen the water can hold. All aquatic plants and animals need oxygen to survive, and some - like salmon - live best in cold water with a very high level of dissolved oxygen.

   In the field

   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
   • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [Temp]
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
   • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.

   Tips & Tricks

   • You do not need to follow a specific order when using the probes.
   • All probes produce more accurate readings if they are stirred during data acquisition.
   • Helpful information is embedded in Vital Signs - tap the "i" icon (upper right corner of the screen).
   • Calibrate the temperature probe before leaving for the field
   • It is possible to enter data using a temperature probe that is not connected to the Palm IIIc. See Collecting Data: Temperature for instructions.
      
     
9. Measure pH

10. What is pH?  Why is pH important to aquatic systems?

    pH is a measure of 0 to 14 of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. In molecular terms, pH (parts Hydrogen) is a measure of the concentration of H+ ions in a substance. pH is important to aquatic life because the concentration of free hydrogen ions in water affects the concentration and form of other important molecules in water, such as nutrients and toxic metals.

    When water is acidic, for example, more metal ions can be dissolved into the water from the rocks and sediments it runs over. When water is too basic, even small amounts of ammonia - a nitrogen-based compound that is a product of the decomposition of plant and animal material - become poisonous to fish.

    Some organisms can survive in only a narrow range of pH, while others are more tolerant of changes in pH. Streams and lakes generally have pH values in a range from 6 to 9, but a single stream will have a narrower range of pH values. Typically, oceans have a pH of 7.5-8.5. The pH of estuaries typically lies between that of its freshwater inputs and the ocean.

    In the field

    • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
    • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [pH]
    • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
    • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.

    Tips & Tricks

    • You do not need to follow a specific order when using the probes.
    • All probes produce more accurate readings if they are stirred during data acquisition.
    • Helpful information is embedded in Vital Signs - tap the "i" icon (upper right corner of the screen).
    • Calibrate the temperature probe before leaving for the field
    • It is possible to enter data using a pH probe that is not connected to the Palm IIIc. See Collecting Data: pH for instructions.
       
      
11. Measure dissolved oxygen

12. What is dissolved oxygen (DO)?  Why is DO important to aquatic systems?

    Water and other liquids have gases dissolved in them that are held there by pressure and temperature. When oxygen, or any gas, is dissolved in a liquid, it is invisible. It only becomes visible when it forms bubbles of pure gas and is no longer dissolved.

    One of the gases in water is dissolved oxygen. All animals and plants need oxygen to live; dissolved oxygen in water is as important to animals and plants living in water as the oxygen in air is important to those living on land. Some aquatic animals need more oxygen to survive than others. Salmon, for instance, lives best in cold, moving water with a very high level of dissolved oxygen.

    Dissolved oxygen gets into water in the same way that oxygen gets into air: oxygen is a byproduct of photosynthesis, whether photosynthesis occurs underwater or in air. Oxygen also moves directly into water when that water comes into contact with air. Water that is moving, as in a river, stream, or over a waterfall, comes into contact with more air than still water does, and so moving water has more dissolved oxygen in it.

    The colder the water is, the more oxygen the water can hold. This means that dissolved oxygen varies through the course of the day, and along a stream where the stream moves in and out of sunlit areas.

    In the field

    • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
    • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [DO]
    • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
    • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.

    Tips & Tricks

    • You do not need to follow a specific order when using the probes.
    • All probes produce more accurate readings if they are stirred during data acquisition. This is especially true of the DO probe, which actually uses DO as it takes its measurement.
    • Helpful information is embedded in Vital Signs - tap the "i" icon (upper right corner of the screen).
    • Calibrate the dissolved oxygen probe before leaving for the field
    • It is possible to enter data using a DO probe that is not connected to the Palm IIIc. See Collecting Data: Dissolved Oxygen for instructions.
       
      
13. Make Observations and Take Notes

14. What is observation?  Why is observation important to science?

    Observation is a very important part of science and is the first step of the Scientific Method. From observations, scientists form questions to ask about how and why their environment looks, sounds, feels, and works the way it does. Observations become the basis for experiments and data collection that help us better understand the natural world.

    In the field

    • Find a comfortable place to sit, open the foldout portable keyboard on your knees and seat the Palm IIIc onto the Universal connector plug.
    • Make observations of your site. Use all of your senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and feeling. Try to notice new things each time you are at your site. Consider noting:

    Current/recent weather

    Types, sizes, and color of flora (plants) and fauna (animals)

    Signs of wildlife (birdcalls, scat, prints, etc.)

    Flowers budding or in bloom

    Color of the water / Can you see the bottom?

    Water movement

    Approximate water depth

    Interesting smells

    Interesting sounds

    Something a team member said or did while visiting the site

    Anything that you notice has changed since your last visit

    Anything that surprised you about your site

    Initial thoughts about the data you collected - Do your measurements make sense?  Did you expect the results you got?  What surprised you and why?

    A descriptive caption for your photograph

    • Begin typing. NOTE: Your input is limited to 1000 characters.

    Tips & Tricks

    • Consider having students record part of their names in the note on the Observation page.
    • Have students record which data they were responsible for collecting.
       
      
15. Complete Your Vital Signs Record
     
    
• Tap [Store] when ALL data have been collected/entered (i.e. when there is a checkmark over all 4 screen icons).
• [Store] returns you to the blue Vital Signs start page.
• Review, change, and/or delete a stored record by tapping [Edit] on the start page.

Tips & Tricks

• Whenever [Store] is tapped, all information entered will be considered a record - do not tap [Store] until all data have been recorded!
• Tapping [Reject] will only clear data on the current screen.

General Field Tips & Tricks

Batteries

• Check batteries frequently (a simple battery charge tester may be purchased at many electronics stores, or buy batteries with built in battery life indicators
• Have a store of new batteries with you in the field
• Use high output batteries
• Keep batteries warm on cold field days - put batteries in pockets and insert just before use
• Take batteries out between use, especially the GPS and Datastick
• Keep the probes separate from the Datastick (probes draw on Datastick battery power)

Palm IIIc

• Palms do not typically survive submersion in salt water, but may survive brief dunkings in freshwater. If the Palm gets wet, turn it off as soon as possible and dry it out thoroughly before turning it on again (place in a sunny window for a day or two, place on a heating vent or a radiator for a day or two, or use a hairdryer). If the Palm gets wet with salt water, open and flush with distilled water and then dry out thoroughly before turning on.
• Use a white (NOT colored) pencil eraser to remove any green oxidation that forms on battery contacts and Datastick contacts.

Beaming Data

• When working in small groups to collect data, the beam function can be a useful and efficient tool. Data from each peripheral can be collected individually and then beamed to one Palm to create a complete data record for the group.
• However, beaming can also be a distraction and can hinder efficient group work. Guidelines and protocols for beaming and creating a common record must be clear.
• If you chose to Beam data, the Palm that takes the image should be the Palm that receives beamed data (images take a long time to beam, and must be beamed from the PalmPix function, so it is best to avoid beaming images).

Classroom Management

• It takes time and practice for students to be able to create a complete data record
• Color code the hardware (e.g. with stickers or nail polish) to use the same Palm and peripherals together
• Consider beaming data (see Beaming Data above for pros and cons)
• Do your GPS lock before temperature, DO, and pH probes as it takes the longest time
• Set clear expectations for the Observations/Notes screen
• Have students write their group name in the Observations screen for later identification
• Delete all photos off the Palm after syncing (Options > Erase All)
• Set the preferences on each Palm to view only the necessary peripherals to avoid confusion and/or distraction while collecting data in the field

Vital Signs Quick Field Guide

Before You Leave for the Field

1. Set Vital Signs Preferences
    
   
   • From the blue Vital Signs start page, tap the menu icon in the lower left of the screen to access the Options drop down menu
   • Choose [Preferences]
   • Select the probes you plan to use during your data collection by tapping the appropriate boxes. Check marks should appear in each box you select.
   • Tap [OK] to return to the blue Vital Signs page
      
     
2. Calibrate Analytical Probes
    
   
   • Calibrate DO and pH probes before each use (see Collecting Data for probe calibration protocols).
   • Calibrate Temperature probes need calibrating less frequently (see Collecting Data for probe calibration protocols).

In the Field

1. Select Your Site
2. Take Digital Images
   

   IMPORTANT: Pictures must be taken first, before launching and entering data in the VS program

   • Attach the PalmPix camera to the Palm IIIc.
   • Tap the house/home icon and launch the Palmpix application. Chose desired resolution by tapping the box with lots of dots (high resolution) or the box with fewer dots (lower resolution). Use the high resolution setting for best results.
   • Take one or more images using the calendar button (left-most button), making sure to hold the Palm steady as you are processing the image. DO NOT remove camera before image is completely saved.
   • Return to the home screen and remove the PalmPix camera
   • Launch the Vital Signs application.
   • Click on the camera icon to access the Images page.
   • Select an image to associate with this record. If more than one image is stored in the palm, you may scroll through them by tapping [Next] and [Prev]. When the desired image appears, tap [Select]
   • Tap the Globe icon to move on to the GPS data acquisition page.
      
     
3. Find Your Location
    
   
   • Tap the Globe icon to move to the Location screen.
   • Plug in the GPS receiver to the Palm
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] - or if you are collecting data from the exact same place your collected the last time, you may tap [Use Last Position].
   • Wait for the satellite to lock. It may take 30 seconds to 3 minutes to establish a lock.
   • The program will display [Locked!]
   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
      
     
4. Measure Water Temperature
    
   
   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
   • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [Temp]
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
   • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.
      
     
5. Measure pH
    
   
   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
   • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [pH]
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
   • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.
      
     
6. Measure dissolved oxygen
    
   
   • Tap the thermometer icon to begin analytical data collection.
   • Select the probe you would like to use by tapping the box next to it - in this case, tap [DO]
   • Tap [Then Tap Here] to initiate readings.
   • Tap [Freeze It] after the numbers stabilize.
      
     
7. Make Observations and Take Notes
    
   
   • Attach the foldout portable keyboard to the Palm IIIc.
   • Make observations of your site. Consider noting:
     

     Current/recent weather

     Signs of wildlife (birdcalls, scat, prints, etc.)

     Interesting smells (skunk cabbage), sounds (birdcalls, road noise), and sights (animals, plants, flowers, trash)

     Water movement, color, and approximate depth

     A descriptive caption for your photograph

   • Begin typing. NOTE: Input is limited to 1000 characters.
      
     
8. Complete Your Vital Signs Record
    
   
   • Tap [Store] when ALL data have been collected/entered (i.e. when there is a checkmark over all 4 screen icons).
   • [Store] returns you to the Vital Signs start page.
   • Review a stored record by tapping [Edit] on the start page.