Past projects 2
Getting Inquiry Science Back on Track
Funded Aug 8, 2024Thank you for funding our sixth-grade project to get science back on track! This unit brought Newton's laws of motion to life, immersing students in hands-on force investigations. Thanks to your generosity, the materials purchased through DonorsChoose sparked a month of inquiry, with students eagerly anticipating each science lesson.
The highlight was our Hot Wheels lab, where students explored Newton's laws through four engaging activities. They examined inertia in action, compared friction across different surfaces, added mass to cars to observe changes in motion, and tested how elevation affects the distance a Hot Wheels car can travel. The excitement in the room was palpable as students dove into each challenge.
Experiences like these ignite a desire to explore. My students think like scientists, ask questions, and apply their inquiry skills to every new concept we encounter. This investigation into Newton's laws was so engaging that there was no need to force them into loving science.
Your donation will continue to inspire future classes!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Skoglund
This classroom project was brought to life by Governor Jared Polis.Help Restore Critical Thinking Skills
Funded Aug 27, 2023Thank you for your generous donation of science equipment to help cultivate critical thinking skills for my sixth-grade students. Students will be using the materials throughout the school year. So far, we have explored density using electronic scales and density cubes. The day my students were introduced to the new equipment was exciting. They walked into a classroom staged for hands-on science. Their tables were filled with equipment and materials, and they were eager to begin exploring.
As students started an exploration of density, the activity was filled with moments of aha as students realized that volumes of objects could change, but the mass remains the same. They were equally surprised that the volume of multiple objects could be the same with different masses. The activity brought exploring density alive. Students used critical thinking skills to develop their understanding of density rather than memorizing a definition recorded in their notes. Thanks to the generous donation of scales and density cubes, this activity reached new levels of cognition.
My students remain eager to continue exploring the new equipment they have seen added to our classroom. Along with the continued application of electronic scales, future activities will engage them in exploring the lunar phases using the flashlights purchased with donations. Flashlights currently available to our sixth-graders are old and require D-cell batteries. Replacement of the batteries is environmentally unfriendly and expensive. Donors Choose has made it possible to purchase easily recharged flashlights with a quick overnight plugin. The purchase brings enough working equipment to an activity that promotes critical thinking as students simulate the lunar phases, keeps our equipment environmentally friendly, and saves me from the cost of replacing the batteries. The donation has brought light to our science program!
The equipment purchased through Donors Choose has also reached students beyond my classroom, as other teachers are also using the equipment. The materials will have an impact for many years to come.
Thank you, Donors Choose.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Skoglund
This classroom project was brought to life by Colorado Department of Education.