This week, we're helping a Louisiana fourth grade track the growth of plants they will raise in their classroom, while a Georgia third grade gets a chance to crack open some geodes to enhance their study of rocks and minerals. We hope that readers who support quality public school education will help these teachers and students by sharing or supporting our featured projects.
The Inoculation Project is an ongoing, volunteer effort to crowdfund science and math projects for red-state public schools in low-income neighborhoods. As always, our conduit is DonorsChoose.org, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that facilitates tax-deductible donations to specific, vetted projects in public schools.
Don’t be confused by the term “seed pods” in this request! A previous DonorsChoose project brought this fourth-grade class an “aeroGarden”, a tabletop hydroponic gardening environment with attached grow-light, and “pods” are what the maker calls the pre-seeded refill packs that can be inserted in the unit.
We’re taking advantage of a matching offer here, from Craig Newmark Philanthropies: All teachers deserve our respect and care. Craig Newmark Philanthropies is honored to support the needs of educators as they bring STEM resources to students across the country.
MAIN PROJECT
Resources: My students need these seed pods to use in our new aeroGarden. We will incorporate STEM activities as we use the polaroid camera and film to document the seeds germination.
Economic need: More than three-quarters of students from low‑income households
Location: Walter Abney Elementary School, Slidell, Louisiana
Total: $284.18 (Matching funds from Craig Newmark Philanthropies)
Still Needed: $284.18 $69.76 ($35 from us)
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. Clark:
My Students: I teach at a Title I, ethnically diverse school in southeast Louisiana. Our students are mostly from a low socio-economic background and receive free breakfast and lunch. Hurricane Katrina has greatly affected our community. Regardless of their home lives and background, my students walk into the classroom every morning full of life and ready for a day of learning. My goal for my students is that each and every one of them will be a productive member of our community. They have so much to offer, each one having a unique and special story to tell. I can see their eyes light up as they are learning and soaking up new information. I'm so blessed that I can play a small part in their journey to success.
My Project: These seed pods will allow us to grow these herbs and vegetables in our classroom in our aeroGarden all while learning about plant life cycles and what seeds need to germinate. The Polaroid camera and film will give my students the opportunity to document the seeds growth along the way while completing STEM activities. We will use the photos in our science journal as we record data and note the changes as time passes. The photos will also be used to compare and contrast the different herbs at different stages of development. Each group will present their photos to the class as well as their descriptions. Thank you so much for taking interest in my students and this project. I'm so excited to kick this project off.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
LONG-TERM PROJECT
Resources: My students need geodes and related materials for hands on science observation.
Economic need: More than a third of students from low‑income households
Location: White Oak Elementary School, Newnan, Georgia
Total: $185.28
Still Needed: $185.28 $94.11
Teacher’s Comments from Ms. L.:
My Students: My students are a diverse group of individuals. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of advantages. Our school is a Title I school and our population is made up of about 50% low-income families. As a teacher, I always strive to level the playing field between my students and to offer engaging resources. My goal is to make ALL of my students want to learn. Unfortunately, on a teachers salary, this is not always easy. That is why I am turning to DonorsChoose.org for a little help.
My Project: One of the main 3rd grade science units is Rocks and Minerals. In the past we have made "crystals" out of epsom salt. While this activity is enjoyable and produces something that looks like a crystal it is not the real thing. I would love to let my students experience real geodes in the classroom. I know that cracking these geodes open would be an experience my students will not forget. Each student will receive 1-2 Geodes to crack. They will be able to take these home as a memento of the lesson. The hammers will be used to crack open the geodes, and the goggles will be worn by the students for safety reasons. Most of my students do not have the means to do activities like this at home, and I would love to give them the opportunity in the classroom.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Last week, we completed both our projects!
Teacher Miles’ North Carolina fourth grade students will receive a programmable Sphero robot that will help them learn programming and develop imaginative new projects for the robot.
Teacher Miles writes: We are beyond grateful for your donations! I can not wait to teach and engage my students with the Sphero, I already have plans for it. As a 21st century teacher I strive to give my students the best relevant education possible. My goal is and always will be to do whatever it takes for my kids. Thank you again!
We also helped Mrs. Breuhl’s pre-K students in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with MakeDo tools and other tools and supplies to create a MakerSpace, where they can design and build using cardboard.
She writes: All I can say right now is WOW! You all have made our learning dreams come true. These supplies are going to motivate our students so much more! They already LOVE center time. Just wait until I tell them all about the new supplies we will be getting that they will be able to work with during center time! They are going to be blown away! Thank you for the maker space materials that will be able to broaden our children's tinkering and making skills! Again, THANK YOU so much for supporting our class!
Our Dollars at Work
Back in November, we helped Mrs. K’s fifth grade class in the Detroit-area city of Hamtramk, the first majority-Muslim US city and a very diverse community. Mrs. K’s class cares for guinea pigs, which not only teaches them about the animals but helps them in their social development and supports their learning as they speak and read to their furry friends. The project was Becoming Responsible People. (More photos at the link.)
It feels like all of our birthdays at once! We are so excited and honored to receive all the materials our Guinea Pigs need to live, grow, and thrive in our classroom! Our Guinea Pigs, "Pinky" and "Coco", are very important to us, and we love them very much. When we feel down, they are our snuggle buddies. When we feel unimportant, we are reminded our our importance when we care for other living beings.
Guinea Pigs don't speak English either! Our accents aren't embarrassing to them, they don't correct us when we say a word wrong or pick the wrong word for our sentence, and if we don't feel like talking at all, they accept it!
Your materials help us learn responsibility, foster caring, and build relationships.
Thanks!
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 680! The success-list diary also contains links and additional information about DonorsChoose.org.