Mr. Alvarado's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 4

• Growing Fast Plants to Bioremediate the Environment

  Funded Dec 10, 2021

  Thank you so much for all of your support! With your help, we were able to provide 125 9th graders with the opportunity to grow bioremediating plants in our classrooms and monitor their growth while introducing chemicals such as zinc sulfate and copper nitrate to measure the plant's efficacy in removing the toxins from the water and soil.

  After designing their own experiments and monitoring the plants and collecting data, they determined which of the three plants (Brassica juncea, brassica nigra, Brassica rapa) performed the best under the conditions that students determined. Students then completed a lab report with their findings.

  The application of the scientific method and creating lab procedures through this project will reinforce the science skills our students need to excel in upper level high school and college science courses.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Alvarado

  This classroom project was brought to life by Clark Foundation & Marriott Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Supporting Girls Wrestling in the Nation's Capital

  Funded Dec 28, 2021

  Thank you all so much for supporting this cause from the bottom of my heart. I have been coaching wrestling for the past 4 seasons and this was the first year that an overwhelming majority of my wrestlers were girls eager to learn more about the sport.

  Despite the sport being co-ed in DCPS, there is still a lingering stigma regarding girls in wrestling. Most recently, a Catholic high-school in DC had banned girls from participating in wrestling and their head coach had quit in protest to the school's decision.

  By contrast, the Lincoln Wrestling team, composed of 7 girls and 1 boy, placed 2nd Place at the DCIAA Middle School Wrestling Championships this year! Several of my wrestlers will be able to compete at the high-school where I also coach next year, so I'm so excited to see how our team grows moving forward.

  I hope with the greater visibility of girls in wrestling we can eliminate that stigma and make wrestling a popular sport among girls in DC. Recently we had a visit from Helen Maroulis, an Olympic Champion from the DMV area who had also overcome many challenges in a male-dominated sport. She became the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland state wrestling championships. She went on to win Gold and Bronze in Women's Freestyle Wrestling at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, respectably.

  With your help, I hope to grow the sport in DCPS and make it more accessible to boys and girls alike.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Alvarado

  This classroom project was brought to life by DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation - Sports Matter and 5 other donors.

• "Arts + STEM = STEAM" Learning in a Biology Classroom

  Funded Dec 15, 2021

  Thank you so much for all of your support! I am deeply grateful. Over the years I have found that my students really appreciate creating art in my science classes, so I was hoping to continue that trend by seeking funding for arts supplies through Donors Choose.

  With your help my students were able to craft models such as evolutionary story dioramas, DNA and cell models. The application of STEAM has become an integral part of my Biology classroom, and I will be able to continue to provide arts and kinesthetic learning to my students for several semesters to come.

  When my students first saw the materials, they were very excited as they now have more options than ever before to be creative and design vibrant biology models using different mediums that can be displayed throughout the school year. I will share some final products with you all. Thank you once again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Alvarado

  This classroom project was brought to life by Johnson Ohana Foundation and 6 other donors.

• Separating DNA to Close the Science Equity Gap

  Funded Jan 27, 2022

  Thank you so much for your support from the bottom my heart. With your help, many of our students will be exposed to biotechnology at the high school level for years to come and be better equipped for Biology and Biochemistry college courses and beyond! I will be sharing photos of our student biotechs in action in the near future!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. Alvarado