This week, we’re providing scientific calculators for Mississippi high school students to use in their College Algebra class. And we’re in the home stretch for the Texas elementary classroom project replacing plastic utensils with reusable ones.
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.
This week’s main project will provide scientific calculators for some Mississippi high school juniors and seniors who are paying to take a College Algebra class. They are allowed to use this particular scientific calculator when taking SAT, ACT, or AP tests. When I read that, I had to wonder how students who cannot afford those calculators fare on those tests.
MAIN PROJECT
Resources: My students need the scientific calculators to work their College Algebra homework and test.
Economic need: More than three-quarters of students from low‑income households
Location: Morton High School, Morton, Mississippi
Total: $279.26 (1.5x match)
Still Needed: $279.26 Completed, thank you! We’ll have more projects next Sunday.
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. Harrell:
My Students: My school consists of around 450 students. Our student population is very diverse; we have African American students, Native American students, Caucasian students, Hispanic students, and students of mixed races. Most of the students in our school come from low economic homes. The town that our school is located in is very rural and prominently an industrial town with our major industry being the poultry industry. Most of our parents work in this industry.
These students are loving, kind, helpful students.
My Project: My students are taking College Algebra in high school to get a head start in college so they can complete college a semester early. I have very devoted students. My students are juniors and seniors. I have two students that are planning to graduate a year early. They need scientific calculators to help complete their goal. My students are paying to take college classes in high school so if anybody could donate to our project it would save my students money so they do not have a buy a calculator themselves. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My students will be excited to hear of this project.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Our long-term project is almost there!
LONG-TERM PROJECT
Resources: Reusable straws, forks, and spoons in order to avoid the waste of 160 pieces of plastic a day, and a picnic blanket for enjoying picnics and outdoor activities.
Economic need: Nearly all students from low‑income households
Location: L A Morgan Elementary School, Galveston, Texas
Total: $286.38
Still Needed: $21.49 Completed, thank you!
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. M:
My Students: My students live in Galveston County, where 100% of our students receive free lunch. The administration and teachers are wonderful, but our district lacks some of the resources that would aid in learning and enrichment. As a teacher, I inspire my students' attitudes towards learning and their perception of the world they live in. By the end of the year, the kids have soared! They become independent, responsible, well mannered, considerate, and compassionate kids who care for the environment and love to learn. I work on building the students as individuals, by celebrating their success, and treating mistakes as learning opportunities.
They are bright, excited students who truly love to learn.
I am honored to be their guide in the learning experience!
My Project: Our Earth is quickly becoming a poisonous and deadly environment for the creatures that live here. Sadly, most of this is due to careless human behavior.
I would love for my students to have reusable utensils in order to limit the plastics that make it to landfills and eventually end up in the oceans, ultimately injuring and killing vital sea life.
According to strawlessocean.org, by the year 2050, if we have not made enough change, there will be more straws in the ocean than fish. "An estimated 71% of seabirds and 30% of turtles have been found with plastics in their stomachs. When they ingest plastic, marine life has a 50% mortality rate.” (stawlessocean.org/faq.)
In an attempt to not only create environmental awareness for the future generations, but also to create a positive change in this harrowing dynamic, I aim to purchase reusable stainless steel straws, sporks, and tableware bags for storage. The picnic blankets will be used for field trips, picnics, and outdoor activities.
At our school, our students use plastic straws, forks, and spoons that come packaged in a plastic bag. They use these twice a day. That means in just my class of 20 students, we use 160 pieces of plastic a day. Ideally, the state would make a change and provide reusable utensils for all schools in the state of Texas. However, this is not the case.
As an educator, I am in a vital position where I can inspire future populations to change their behavior in order to positively impact the Earth and all the creatures that live here. If you can help me with this critical lesson, we would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you.
Donations of ANY size can make a BIG difference!
Our bonus project will help a never-before-funded kindergarten classroom in a rural area of Alabama. BYOD is an acronym for “bring your own device.”
Resources: My students need OSMO Genius kits to participate in STEM activities that will increase their skills in math and science.
Economic need: More than half of students from low-income households.
Location: McDavid-Jones Elementary School, Citronelle, Alabama
Still Needed: $74.21 Completed, thank you!
Teacher’s Comments from Mrs. Green:
My Students: Our school is a low income, Title 1 school. Most of our students have not been exposed to basic learning skills because they have never attended a pre-school program. Our students love to learn. Our school offers them a place to learn and experience things that they might not get to experience otherwise. Most of our students do not have access to technology at home.
Kindergarten is a place for challenge and discovery!
Our school is BYOD school and most are unable to participate in this. Adding OSMO Genius kits to our classroom will allow them to develop STEM skills such as math and science problem solving. When you see their faces light up for experiencing something they never have is very rewarding.
My Project: Learning in Kindergarten happens in many different ways. Kinders are very curious and love to explore technology. The OSMO kits would not only help my students gain a better understanding in reading and math, but they would also do it in a fun and interactive way! The OSMO games encourage STEM learning while giving students the opportunity to problem solve and work together. My students would use the OSMO kits to help develop creativity, vocabulary skills and reasoning skills. It will also help build their social skills. They would use this kit on a daily basis with a group or independently.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, last week’s main project — What's In Our Water? — was completed! Teacher’s thank you note:
I am in awe that so many people shared my interest in helping my students learn about water in a hands-on way. As a teacher we sometimes feel limited to what experiments we can do with kids based on funding. I am very excited to try water experiments with my students and am grateful for all of the donations people so graciously made to my classroom.
With gratitude,
Ms. Rymer
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 689! The success-list diary also contains links and additional information about DonorsChoose.org.