Project: Inspire Future Scientists Through Hands-on Learning
Resources Needed: pH meter, molecular model kits, rats for dissection, dissection kits
School Poverty Level: High
Location: Presque Isle High School, Presque Isle, ME
Total Cost: $807.76
Still Needed: $119.62 COMPLETED! Please see long-term project.
Expires: Dec 22, 2014
Teacher's Comments from Mrs. Dobrin:
My Students: Do you remember what it was like to be young and curious about everything? Perhaps you spent hours digging around in the mud just to see what you might find. That natural curiosity is what I am trying to bring back to my high school students.
My students are a creative and inspiring group of young adults. They love science, they work hard, and they are wonderful to have the opportunity to teach. My school is located in a rural farming community where close to 50% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
My Project: My chemistry students will use the molecular model sets to explore and learn about chemical bonding and the resulting shapes and structures. These hands-on kits help students conceptualize very difficult concepts.
These students will also use the pH meter during laboratory exercises, such as during the titration of acids and bases. The pH meter provides and accurate reading of a solutions level of acidity, much better than pH paper, which is what we currently use.
My biology students will use the rats and dissections kits during a unit on body systems in order to visualize how systems are connected and also to learn about the intricacies of the relationships between the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Donations to this project will improve my classroom by helping instruction move beyond didactic lecture in favor of hands-on applications and modeling. I have little doubt that a student-centered classroom that provides opportunities for action learning and collaboration can inspire lifelong learners to do good things in the future.
COMPLETED!
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!