Patchi's Science Blog Page

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Thank you so much for your kind consideration in funding this project. Our school size was recently increased, which impacted the size of my classroom by about 10-15 more students each year. I found myself short on the hands-on manipulatives that I use for teaching important math concepts. I really appreciate your generosity in providing the extra materials I need to provide these hands-on experiences for my students. My students are loving the math activities and the fun they are having learning.

Thanks again for the great impact you have had on my students!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Oveson

I offer my sincerest gratitude for your donations that enabled my students to deepen their understanding of the topical debate surrounding food safety, justice, and purchasing options. As a Math and Art teacher, I thought it would be ideal to merge the two content areas in order to inform my students about the importance of building awareness of their individual health and nutrition. A key entrance point into this project was through observation and conversations started by exposure to the work of photographers Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio. Students were able to compare and analyze photographs and data from their book and series "Hungry Planet: What the World Eats" and "What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets". This wide-ranging photographic work emphasizes the global issue as well as forms a connective link between all cultures. Students compared the types of food (processed versus fresh) per country, determined the cost per person based on given data, and concluded the nutritional benefits of a given diet. Mathematically, we looked at how nutritional labels are presented on products in this country, how percentage of daily allowance is calculated, and how some products misrepresented information by rounding up or down incorrectly.

Students used the photographic images from Menzel and D'Aluisio as inspiration for looking at their own diets, specifically at the types of food eaten during school lunch. The digital cameras donated were vital to making this project a success. Students teamed up to photograph their daily lunch items. As they photographed themselves and others, they naturally started conversations about their project with students outside of our class- a genuine way of spreading information and raising questions about food quality. Thanks again for this opportunity to help my students become informed and learn to advocate for themselves and their families.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Herrmann

Many thanks for your generous donation to our class. The indoor garden has created a community of environmental scientists who have learned to prepare soil, measure plant growth and record data. The joy on students' faces as they tend to the plants is priceless.

About a third of our class are refugee students. For these English language learners in particular, this hands on experience has been very motivating as they feel confident in how to contribute to our classroom project.

So from each of us in our home language: Gracias! Murakoze! Asante! Merci! Thank you!

Because of donors like you, students continue to gain from unique experiences like this. ”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Nichols

I am so glad that I get an opportunity to thank you, the donors, for making such a big impact in my classroom. The printer/copier has allowed the students in my classroom to benefit in many ways. I have also utilized the usb flashdrive with my students as well, which they love using!

The printer/copier has afforded myself and my students the luxury of copying their documents to bring home. It has also allowed my students the ability to print translated copies of documents. Since I teach science, I translate all documents for my ESL students so they can excel in the content area, and can have a basic understanding of science concepts in their native language.

With the combined use of the USB flashdrive, it has allowed students to translate and save their projects, worksheets and classroom documents. Before using the flashdrive, I had a small lesson with the students how to use it properly. As their teacher, I am now given the chance to let my ESL students to work independently within the classroom on the laptop. It gives me the chance to see their abilities to complete tasks and assignments on their own. I can then save and view their work because the students utilize the USB flashdrive so often. They save their work in both english and their native language.

Since we have received these items, my ESL students have made huge strides with their science work. I have seen a significant increase in their test scores, about 5 – 9% increase per student. It is amazing how the students have responded to the technology in the classroom.

I could not have imagined these academic improvements without the donations to my classroom. My sincerest gratitude to you, the donors, for without you I do not think that my ESL students would have made such huge advancements. I feel such a sense of accomplishment as an educator because of your generosity.”

With gratitude,

Mrs. T.

Thank you so much for your lovely donation! With your help, we were able to get ten lamp clamps that have already been used by over one hundred students. These lamp clamps provide students with the opportunity to complete labs and practice the inquiry process.

Due to many recent budget cuts, my school is lacking on science supplies. The lamp clamps will be used by hundreds of students, ranging in grades between sixth, seventh, and eighth. Thank you for giving our students the necessary opportunity to complete hands-on activities which is vital to their success.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Foley

I can't tell you how excited my students were to finally get a new, wide projector screen! No longer do we have to make the picture small enough to fit on the old screen. That screen was falling apart and had graffiti on it. The new screen is beautiful.

I use the screen almost every day. Kids love to come up to it and explain things to their classmates. It is very clean and smooth to use. It is just the right size to fit between the air conditioners, yet afford us the biggest viewing screen. Students can see it perfectly from anywhere in the classroom. We do a lot of trigonometry lessons on the screen and it is great for displaying diagrams. I have already seen an improvement in student interest.

You should be very proud of your donation and the impact it has already made.”

With gratitude,

Mr. Dodell

I wish that you could be in our classroom on the days when we work with our Weekly Reader magazines! Our students are excited to read and learn about the many science topics. They enjoy learning the information that we discuss at school and the activities that they can practice at home with their families. One of our most recent and most exciting topics was about fire, fire safety and the firefighters that help us. We were able to arrange a visit from a local fire station at this time. The firefighters were able to connect directly to the information that students learned in their Weekly Reader, and they brought along a firetruck for students to see first-hand! Many of our students came back to school with information about their family's plan for safe ways out of their house and a meeting place to make sure that everyone was safe in the event of an emergency. That could be life-saving information! Thank you so much for making experiences like this one a reality for our students!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Tate

Thank you all so much for funding math literature and resources for my first grade class. It is very much appreciated. You have given a wonderful gift, not only to my current students, but also to my future students for many years to come. It will be a great tool to spark the children's interest in math and it will truly inspire a love of learning. Most importantly, it will help to build a foundation that students can use to be successful throughout their educational career. Thank you again for making a difference.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Stand