Past projects 6
Getting Down and Dirty with Environmental Science- Sampling Local Waters
Funded Sep 1, 2018Because of your tremendous generosity, my students in AP Environmental Science were able to use the D-ring dip nets, hip waders, and identification guides for freshwater invertebrates to determine the water quality of a pond on our campus as well as a freshwater swamp and salt marsh in our local community.
After testing our supplies on our own campus pond, we traveled to a local county park to perform water quality tests. Students enjoyed getting out of the classroom and using real sampling tools and procedures. Students were eager to don the hip waders and get into the pond.
As we continue our studies of the natural world and human impacts on it, we will continue to use our materials to explore the world around us. During our second semester, we will study pollution. We can collect different samples from local waters to test again to compare how pollution has an impact on water quality.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 8 other donors.Exploring The Environment Using Algae: A STEM Experience
Funded Feb 26, 2018With your kind and generous donations to this project, our class was able to build bioreactors to grow and aerate algal cultures. Once, established, we tested the effects of various environmental impacts on the growth and success of their algae. Different groups tested different variables, including pH, fertilizer, light levels, salinity, and aeration. We monitored the growth of the cultures over the course of two weeks and created a report describing the impacts of the research. We made connections to real life situations as well, demonstrations that rising acidity of natural waterways could have a negative impact on growth of algae and aquatic producers. Our class also built filters to show how the engineering process can be used to solve problems like water purification after contamination.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
Making Modeling the Highlight of Biology
Funded Mar 12, 2016My students absolutely love the Neon Expo markers that were provided thanks to your funding for this project. They enjoy the novel experience of being allowed to write on the tables, appreciate the ability to draw large models on the table surfaces, and benefit from the visual impact of these markers on their desk and lab table surfaces.
The students were so surprised to see the box full of 100+ markers. They were excited to open them, since teachers are usually the ones writing on the board and using markers. These will be used for the next several years, and will be able to have a positive impact on many students over the next five years (likely more than 500 students will get to experience biology using these markers).
I look forward to trying to think of innovative ways to bring science to life for my students, but for now, I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
This classroom project was brought to life by #BestSchoolDay and 5 other donors.'Hands on' Genetic Fingerprinting in Biology
Funded Oct 11, 2015Your kind and generous support of this project allowed my students to experience firsthand how to work with isolated DNA, use that DNA to identify potential suspects, and diagnose individuals who may carry a trait for a genetic disorder. These scenarios were all simulated, but the technology we used (gel electrophoresis, DNA isolation) were all real. My students were able to understand how this technology can be used in the fields of medicine, genetics, CSI, paternity testing, and many other applications.
Learning science should be so much more than textbook vocabulary and review materials. Science is a process, and doing that process is essential to understanding science fully. Projects like this allow my current and future students to appreciate science and technology in ways that they have not before. We were able to research, create, and present pedigrees, which track traits through generations in a family. We were able to learn how to micro-manipulate DNA, which most students had never thought of before. It was a completely new experience for my students, and it was one they will not forget.
Thanks again for your much appreciated donations and support. We will always remember your generosity as we do this, and other similar projects, in the future.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
Growing Green Thumbs in AP Biology
Funded Aug 22, 2015Thank you all so much for providing my classroom with the funds and donations to bring such awesome materials into my teaching. With the portable light rack, my students have been raising plants from seed to observe genetic traits in a population. Seeing them close up and having ownership of those plants really allows my students to engage in the topic (population genetics). We also are creating a second generation of plants from the originals in hopes of observing genetic changes over time in a population (evolution). This is a difficult topic to see, and is meaningful to me and my students to be able to observe this with hands on tools. My students were very impressed with the light racks and the population genetics kits that were provided with your support. We will continue to use them throughout the year and in future years as well.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
Biology with Henrietta
Funded Nov 29, 2012The resources provided by your generous contributions have made such a positive impact on my teaching and the level of engagement on the part of my students. As a high school biology teacher, I am always looking for ways to break out of the text book and reach my students on another level. It is essential to make biology relevant with real life examples, specifically ones with social and ethical issues. The incorporation of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks in my curriculum has made an amazing change on the way my students and I approach science.
The class set of 30 books by Ms. Skloot is invaluable. Not only did my students in my AP biology class get to enjoy the reading, my Honors biology students did as well. In addition, students in courses for years to come will be able to read, discuss, and analyze the science in this book. My teaching will be impacted for many more years thanks to this gift and your contributions. Please know that students have shared their appreciation for this book with their friends and still talk about the book months after completing it.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Short
This classroom project was brought to life by Build-a-Bear Workshop Foundation and 6 other donors.