Our first environmental science project hopes to show urban kids that they shouldn’t be afraid of pollinators, including bees.
MAIN PROJECT
Resources: My students need the bird feeder, hummingbird feeder, and lady bug/bee house to invite nature to our campus so they can learn more about pollinators and how they help our environment.
Economic need: Nearly all students from low‑income households
Location: Dillard Middle School, Goldsboro, North Carolina
Total: $388.28 (need half with matching offer)
Still Needed: $388.28 Completed! Please consider project below.
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. Tharrington:
My Students: The community around our school can be turbulent, but our students see their school as a safe space and the library is one of their favorite spaces at school. Teachers also enjoy bringing their classes to the library to work on assignments and pick out materials.
Our students learn best through hands-on activities.
If they can see it and do it, they will have a better understanding of the topics being taught. Sadly, our school is in a socially economically disadvantaged area and our students often do not get to see a lot of the world outside their neighborhood. They are interested in learning more about many different topics, but often don't have the resources at home to research those topics.
My Project: Our students live in an urban setting and do not have a lot of exposure to the gardening and the benefits of insects. I want them to be able to see a bee and not be afraid! I also want them to enjoy being outdoors and maybe find a new hobby.
The project will help our students see how pollinators are necessary to produce crops and flowers.
Our school has a small garden and adding the bee house and hummingbird feeder will be a great way for students to have a positive interaction with pollinators and hopefully not be afraid and see how plants cannot function without bees, bugs, and hummingbirds.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Fingers crossed that matching funds don’t run out on our long-term environmental science project. It’s ambitious, but we have plenty of time before the project expires.
LONG-TERM PROJECT
Resources: My students need a garden wand, a hose, gloves, and mesh to be able to tend to our outdoor classroom garden.
Economic need: Nearly all students from low‑income households
Location: Shearn Elementary School, Houston, Texas
Total: $977.25 (need half with matching offer)
Still Needed: $977.25 $582.78 ($292 from us!)
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. Rodriguez:
My Students: My students come from diverse backgrounds; some of them come with physical and emotional issues. About 96% of the students at my campus receive free lunch. We are a Hispanic dominant population, with English as a second language. We are a leader in me school, and we believe every student has a little leader inside of them.
Hurricane Harvey brought devastation to our city, and some of these scholars are slowly getting back to normal.
Our campus faces a lot of challenges this school year, and I would love to have more hands on activities for my little scientists. Shearn is located in the heart of a beautiful community. I would love to bring this community together one crop at a time.
My Project: Our Shearn Elementary garden has seen better days, this school semester we were able to give it a makeover. Our garden beds have been raised, and our beds have been filled with soil. We are now in need of materials to tend to our beautiful outdoor environment. Having a hose, and a watering wand will help keep our crops hydrated. The gloves will keep our hands safe, and help put some beautiful plants in the ground.
We are so excited to get planting, and reaping the fruits of our hard labor. For this to be possible our plants need to be protected, the mesh will help keep bugs, and birds from crawling and feeding. Our indoor compost viewer will help make connections with our outdoor bins, they will provide a visual of the process for my visual learners.
We are also working on patience, and kindness towards each other, and mother earth. Having an outdoor learning space creates a sense of belonging and pride. My students will be exposed to new skills they have never been exposed to, and an experiences that will bring fruitful rewards in the end. Our project will also bring community, and parent involvement to our school. Our campus culture will be transformed with the start of this project.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Thanks to our generous donors, both of last week’s projects were completed.
Here’s the thank you note for Science: A Buggy Business, which is providing caterpillars and butterfly habitats for students at a Missouri elementary school to witness life cycles and study BUGS!
We are so excited to add a real life, hands-on element to our science class! Thank you so much for your generosity and for showing my students that there are people out there that care about them and their education. May you have a blessed day, and be looking for photo updates!
With gratitude,
Mrs. Swaringim
And here’s the thank you note for providing basic school supplies for special needs students in a Wisconsin elementary classroom:
Thank you so much for my classroom supplies. My students will greatly benefit from these supplies to help them do their work while in my classroom. My students often do not have the necessary supplies for school, so these supplies are much needed and will be put to great use!!
With gratitude,
Ms. Krafczyk
Founded in 2009, The Inoculation Project combats the anti-science push in conservative America by funding science and math projects in traditionally red-state classrooms and libraries. Our conduit is DonorsChoose.org, a crowdfunding charity founded in 2000 and highly rated by both Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau.
Every Sunday, we focus on helping to fund two science or math projects in red states, preferably in neighborhood public schools where the overwhelming majority of students come from low-income households. We welcome everyone who supports public school education — no money is required!
Finally, here’s our list of successfully funded projects — our series total is 658! The success-list diary also contains links and additional information about DonorsChoose.org.