Pfizer's Inspiring Science Challenge

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Thank you so much for your generous donations! Getting the email that this project has been fully funded was such a wonderful treat at a time when I am really working to plan for a great new school year. Science was the one subject that I knew I needed to work to make more exciting and engaging, but it is so hard to do without the proper supplies. I am a pretty resourceful teacher, but without these basic things, it is very difficult to conduct certain types of experiments or complete certain demonstrations. These supplies will change everything about the way science is taught to my children.

As I mentioned in the proposal, the students at my school have not had a lot of exposure to science and scientific exploration. Our school had a science fair this past spring, and the concept was totally foreign to most children. We all worked hard, and one team from my class won second place, but I did notice that almost every third grade team made a baking soda volcano, which is fun, but more of a demonstration than a complete follow through of the scientific process, which is the point. Now as these students enter 4th grade, I will really be able to give them as close to a lab experience as possible.

The Lab on Wheels will go far in its reach. I plan to share the supplies with the other 3 dedicated, hardworking teachers on the 4th grade team. Its portability was one of the reasons I loved it. Thank you so much. Your generosity will support creative science instruction for years to come and it will impact many, many children.

With Warmest Regards,

Sharon ”

With gratitude,

Ms. Green

Thank you! Thank You! Thank you! My belief in humanity is reaffirmed when a stranger reaches out to kids they haven't met, and decides to believe in them. I don't know which is better, the laboratory kits or the lesson behind them. I'll teach both. I am grateful for your kindness.

Rau”

With gratitude,

Mr. B.

Thank you for funding this project!!!

Having access to great technology like this incubator opens many doors for our high school science instruction. While my biology and chemistry students already have a great love for and understanding of science, providing them opportunities to do college-level experiments studying the genetics of bacteria will undoubtedly provide them with greater excitement, understanding, and motivation to study science in college.

Besides watching kids get excited about learning profound science concepts, one of the best parts of teaching is knowing that, to some degree, you are changing the course of students' lives in profound ways. While it will be years before a student returns to tell me they are a doctor or research scientist, I already have many students who have expressed a sincere desire to become scientists and who have the intellect to achieve that goal.

Similarly, by funding this incubator, you will change the way my students view the world and, by encouraging them to study science, you have also altered their place in it.

Again, I wish to express my thanks for your support”

With gratitude,

Mr. Zavrel

Thank you so much for your generous donation to my budding scientists. The books you have donated on scientists will form the basis of a unit on overcoming stereotypes. During the unit, students will explore what the public perceives a scientist to be and have a chance to construct their own understandings while reading and discussing books about scientists from all walks of life. The books you have donated will expose my students to amazing men and women from around the world who are passionate about exploring different kinds of science. Your donation will make sure my students discover what it can really mean to be a scientist.

I cannot wait to share with you the life-long growth my students will make after their encounters with these books. I look forward to using these books with my students for many years to come.

Yours,

Katie C

Third Grade Teacher

PS 139, Brooklyn, N”

With gratitude,

Ms. C.

Thank you so much for funding the "Rock On" proposal! I know that my students will be very thrilled to work with the labs from the videolab kit and the rock cycle kit and classifying rock kits. They get so excited each time they see the lab supplies out. It will be especially relevant as we live in Washington State--home to Mt. St. Helen's. In addition, Mt. Rainier is also a volcano and we can see it from the highway. You will be hearing more after we complete our activities this school year and the kids write thank you notes. Thank you again!

Mrs. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Borders

Thank you very much for your donation for the document camera. My students will be very excited to use it in class. I'm looking forward to the students displaying their work for the whole class to see. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Edward ”

With gratitude,

Mr. Rice

Thank you for your generous donation to help our students have a better understanding of air pollution. Air pollution is something that will affect them their entire lives and they need to be able to understand how to determine if there is air pollution in an area, what are the possible causes of this pollution, and what is the impact on the plants, animals, buildings, and the people. This knowledge will enable them to make wise decisions on how they can reduce their personal impact to the air pollution problem in their city. Hopefully, this will be a lifelong lesson to make wise purchasing choices in their future such as energy efficient appliances, green homes, hybrid cars and such. Knowledge is the only way to get students to realize they need to make a change to make our world a better place and you are helping these students take the first step in that journey. Again, thank you so much for your willingness to help”

With gratitude,

Ms. Disteldorf

Thank you for your donation! The hot plates will be consistently used and carefully protected. In addition, I want you to know that getting a grant like this is a huge morale booster for me. So much of the time I think that no one notices how hard we work or how little we have to work with. Knowing people care enough to contribute directly to classrooms is inspiring to me. The long-term achievements of our students is mainly what keeps me going from year to year, but this support (especially in September) makes it much easier to get the ball rolling this year. I have a fantastic lab that will use the hot plates you have provided. Students heat shiny new pennies in a solution of zinc ions and zinc dust, which coats them with silvery zinc. Then they place the pennies directly on the hot plate. The pennies appear to turn gold before their eyes! What actually happens is that the zinc and copper become brass. They get to take the brass coated pennies home. The students love it, and they learn that alloys (like brass) are solutions of metals in metals. I thought you might enjoy a little taste of what we do to bring chemistry to life for our students!

Thank you again for your donation. It has made a difference to me personally. I give my students my very best effort, and I'm delighted to have your assistance. I will remember your gift every time I pull the hot plates out of the cabinet.

Best Regards,

Amy ”

With gratitude,

Ms. Z.

I want to thank you for funding “Check-It-Out Science Adventures”. I teach at a Title I school and your generous donation will make a great difference in the lives of my students. The students are very eager to explore Science activities, but with a lack of materials, they are at a disadvantage to truly understand concepts in an engaging way. Please know that you are making a difference in the lives of these children and hopefully one day they will make a positive difference in our world. I look forward to keeping you informed about this project. Thank you,

Mrs. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. N.