Mr. V.'s Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 49

• Would You Please Help Modernize Our Physics/Chemistry Labs?

  Funded Jul 14, 2015

  Thank you for your support. Because of your generous financial gifts, our students of Chemistry and Physics are enjoying an updated, computer-linked science lab experience. For the past six years, we have been requesting donations for Vernier computer equipment to build up a modernized lab to use in Chemistry and Physics labs. The Vernier LabQuest is a small box unit (an interface) that connects to a computer. Next, various digital measurement instruments (probes) are plugged into each Vernier (like digital thermometer probes).

  For this specific project, "Would You Please Help Modernize Our Physics/Chemistry Labs?" we were able to receive 2 digital thermometers, 1 motion detector, 1 force sensor,

  and 1 Vernier Labquest unit. With these instruments, an entire student group of 4-5 working

  in the lab can have all their measurements sent directly to the computer.

  Students love being able to make measurements and analyze data with modern,

  computerized equipment. The computer can even make graphs of their data (as shown in the photos).

  As students work in groups, usually there is at least someone who is

  "tech savvy" who figures out how to work the devices quickly and shows the others.

  Some of the students have even shown me new things about how to configure the software.

  I am sure that with time, all my students will improve in their ability to operate the instruments.

  Thanks to your giving, computer technology in Chemistry and Physics is now being

  a reality in our lab classroom.

  I greatly appreciate your donations. Thanks again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Public School AP Chemistry Lab Needs Measurement Glassware

  Funded May 7, 2014

  We appreciate the thoughtful and generous donations that you made to purchase

  new glassware for our Chemistry labs. The volumetric flasks and the eudiometers

  (gas collection tubes) are required components for several AP Chemistry

  labs. My students of both AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry have especially enjoyed

  using the glassware for their college level lab experiments, "Calculating Molar Volume

  of a Gas" and "Determination of the Molar Mass of an Unknown Gas."

  Thanks to the donations, when my students continue on in studying Chemistry in college,

  they will now have experience and skills in these important lab procedures.

  Students enjoyed observing how acid and magnesium metal mix inside the glass

  eudiometer tube to produce hydrogen gas. "Wow, look at all the bubbles", said one student

  as she observed the hydrogen gas bubbling to the top of the tube.

  One student commented,"This is the best lab I have ever done" in regards

  to using a eudiometer to collect gas from a chemical reaction. Another student

  said, "I like these cute little flasks" in reference to the volumetric flasks.

  Actually, those "little" flasks are pretty expensive. The flasks are specially designed

  to measure out an exact 25 mL sample of a liquid.

  This is a wonderful donation to receive for my classes. For over 10 years,

  our school has not been able to afford providing us with these specialized flasks and tubes.

  These will last for a long time, but unfortunately- with high school students- accidents do

  happen from time to time. So far this year my students have handled the glassware

  carefully and cautiously. When I tell them that these are gifts from donations, they

  are even more careful and appreciative.

  Thanks again so much for your tremendous thoughtfulness and contributions.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

  This classroom project was brought to life by Innovate Foundation and 3 other donors.

• Could You Please Provide Weight Sets For My Physics Lab?

  Funded Jun 24, 2014

  Your contributions to help maintain and improve our Physics lab

  equipment has truly saved our program.

  The students are thankful to receive new, replacement weights.

  In a recent "Simple Machines" experiment,

  students compared the ease of ability to lift up a 500 g weight

  using a single pulley, a double pulley, and a triple pulley.

  One student commented and concluded "When a pulley is used,

  it is much easier to lift the weight."

  Another said, "When you use more wraps (strands),

  its easier, but you have to pull the lifting string a longer distance."

  Thanks again for the weight sets. These are durable pieces that

  will definitely last for many years.

  Students will also be able to use weights in experiments to

  calculate spring constants (Investigation of Hooke's Law)

  and to study centripetal force. All of these experiments are useful,

  hands-on Physics experiments that prepare and motivate

  students to consider studying Physics at the college level.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• We Need Calorimetry Equipment for Physics and Chemistry Labs

  Funded Aug 17, 2014

  Thank you!

  Your donations to purchase calorimeters for our Chemistry and Physics

  classes have been greatly appreciated.

  In a calorimetry experiment, students set up lab equipment so that

  heat is allowed to flow from one object to another. The changes in

  temperature are measured with a thermometer and the amount

  of heat lost or gained is determined by the equation " q = mC∆T "

  In the past years, my students only had styrofoam cups to use

  as calorimeters for their experiments. But this year students were

  pleased to finally get to use real calorimeters.

  One student commented,"These are well built containers" (and certainly

  they are more durable than the styrofoam cups).

  Another commented, "It is cool to be able to do the lab with professional equipment."

  Students are now able to perform a number of different labs, from simple

  procedures like "Calculation of a Calorimeter Constant", to the more advanced

  "Determination of the Specific Heat of an Unknown Metal", and to the the most

  challenging AP Chemistry lab,"Determination of the Enthalpy of Neutralization

  for an Acid-Base Reaction".

  Thanks to your donations to Donors Choose for these calorimeters,

  in conjunction with our other new technology equipment, my students are

  now getting a college-level lab experience that will help prepare them

  for their future educational and career pursuits.

  Thank you so much for your generous contributions.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Prepare and Inspire Students With Lab Science Computer Tools

  Funded Aug 18, 2014

  We thank you all so much for your donations to our science classes

  of Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, & Physics.

  Your gifts have purchased computer technology that is truly transforming

  for our classroom lab experiences.

  The Vernier LabQuest measurement probes that were purchased

  have been around for many years, but just not in our classrooms.

  My students are excited that they finally have an opportunity to operate them.

  Instead relying only on traditional measurement methods -

  like reading alcohol thermometers or reading pH paper- students are now getting opportunities to use digital instruments that are linked directly to a computer.

  As a science teacher here in our urban high school for over 15 years,

  I have only seen our public school district provide funding to meet the bare

  minimum requirements for lab materials. But thanks to your generous donations,

  in past 3 years we have grown from zero computers with measurement probes

  to 7 computers with measurement probes. For the first time since I have worked

  here, my students are now able to conduct Chemistry experiments with 20 students

  simultaneously using the LabQuest Mini computer interfaces.

  In conjunction with some of my other recently funded Donorschoose projects,

  the materials received for this project directly benefit Chemistry students in several different

  lab experiments. Using the new computer technology, students can perform

  acid-base titrations, calorimetry experiments, and freezing point analysis experiments.

  For acid-base titrations, instead of students having to use and read pH paper or a pH meter

  every few minutes, the pH probe remains in the solution and the computer software

  records the pH every half a second and displays a graph on the computer screen.

  Similarly, in both the calorimetry lab and in the freezing point analysis lab, two substances

  are mixed together after some heating has occurred. The LabQuest temperature probe

  is inserted into the mixture and the computer software displays, records,

  and graphs the temperature changes that occur every half second.

  My students greatly enjoyed using the LabQuest. Here are a few student quotes:

  "It is cool to be able to make Chemistry lab measurements by computer"

  "The computer probe makes it easy to create and save graphs, it is a great

  improvement to make our lab more modern."

  One of my lab assistants from a previous year commented, "I wish we had

  had this equipment last year!"

  I am most pleased that my students finally have the opportunity to work with computers

  in a lab experiment environment, just as many will when they go on to study

  Chemistry in colleges and careers. Thank you so much for helping my students

  prepare for a future in science and technology.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Help Expand Our Science Lab Technology To Reach More Student

  Funded Aug 18, 2014

  Our class greatly appreciates your donations to improve and update our science lab with

  computer technology. During our lab experiments, instead of relying only on traditional

  measurement methods - like reading alcohol thermometers, chemical indicators, and

  pH paper, students are now getting opportunities to use digital instruments that are

  linked directly to a computer.

  For a titration experiment, this is a most useful addition to the lab. I still teach students

  how to perform an acid-base titration by using colorful indicators, but now with the

  LabQuest mini and pH sensors, students can actually watch how the pH changes-

  right as it changes on a computer screen graphically. They begin the titration

  experiment by putting the digital pH probe into a beaker filled with a weak acid.

  The computer records the pH every half a second and displays a graph on the

  computer screen. Slowly, a strong base (sodium hydroxide

  solution) is added into to the acid. Students can stop periodically to record the volume

  added and to observe the pH changes that result.

  In most acid-base titration experiments that use traditional, non-computer materials,

  their observations would be limited to only one or perhaps two color change points.

  But with the pH sensor, students can now observe the numeric pH value changes

  before, during, and after the acid and base are mixed. Students absolutely love the

  LabQuest computer equipment. There were a lot of "Wow's" and "this is cool!" So far,

  we have only started to incorporate the equipment into our labs but I can see that students

  are already inspired and encouraged by the appearance of computer technology in their lab

  experiments. The skills they are developing will be a great preparation for the modernized

  lab environments that they will one day experience in their colleges and careers.

  Thank you !”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Please Help Provide Scientific Calculators For My Students

  Funded Aug 30, 2013

  My students and I truly appreciate your donations to purchase

  a class set of scientific calculators for our 10th, 11th, and 12th

  grade science classes. The high school students from all my classes -

  General Chemistry, General Physics, and AP & Honors Chemistry -

  all benefit from the calculators and will for years to come.

  Students commented on how easy it is to operate the Casio calculators.

  The calculators are small and compact, yet they can be used for all academic

  levels of physical science -from the most basic measurement conversions

  to the most advanced AP Chemistry labs or Trigonometry based Physics calculation

  problems.

  We have been using the calculators for daily problem-solving exercises

  in class, for follow up calculations to our lab experiments, and for our weekly

  quizzes and tests. In past years, before we had these calculators, many students

  had to rely on sharing a few basic four function math calculators that we had in class.

  So these new scientific calculators arrived to a welcoming environment.

  Students were excited to receive better school supplies and they have appeared

  to be more motivated to participate in the problem-solving.

  Since every student has access to the same model of calculator, it is now much easier

  for me to teach the students how to utilize the scientific calculator functions.

  This especially has benefited the younger 9th and 10th grade students,

  who are just beginning their studies of Math and Algebra based physical sciences.

  Thank you again for your donation.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Could You Help My Chemistry Class Add Technology To Our Lab?

  Funded Aug 30, 2013

  Thank you so much for supporting the technology needs of our Science labs.

  We are so thankful for your donations that purchased Vernier LabQuest Mini

  devices. We are still in the process of working to upgrade and modernize the computer

  based aspects of our science labs, and your gift of the two Vernier computer interface

  devices and pH probe has brought us a great leap forward.

  Currently, my science students have been able to experiment with the LabQuest mini

  devices in both Chemistry and Physics labs. We have connected the Vernier LabQuests

  to some of our Apple laptop computers and have installed the Vernier software.

  Since there is only one pH probe, its use has been limited as a demonstration device to

  create graphs. But I hope to slowly build up the lab by adding more probes.

  Our plans to update the technology in our lab is still an ongoing process.

  One year ago, through a different donors choose grant request, donors assisted us by

  purchasing Vernier Motion Detectors- however we have been unable to operate the devices

  until we received these two Vernier interfaces which you have provided.

  We still hope to get more in the coming year, so that there will be enough for an entire class to use simultaneously.

  Students have most enjoyed using the Vernier LabQuest minis to create

  graphs of their motion. As shown in the pictures, the LabQuests connect directly

  to the Apple computers while the sensors (motion detectors or pH probes) can be plugged in

  and shared by groups of four or five students.

  My students absolutely love operating the Vernier LabQuests. As I imagined, the students

  have been quick to learn how to operate the devices and the computer software together.

  Students are always asking me, "When can we work with the computers in lab again?"

  Its great to see students excited and anticipating opportunities to apply their technological

  literacy to academics in the place of just playing video games and texting messages.

  We greatly appreciate your donations. You have opened a great opportunity for the students.

  Thanks to your support, my science students are finally gaining beginning skills and experience

  with computer interfaces that they will expand upon once they enter college level science

  courses.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 8 other donors.

• Our Chemistry Class Needs Reliable Laboratory Crucibles

  Funded Jun 21, 2013

  Thank you so much for your donations supporting our lab for my students of A.P. Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and General Chemistry.

  My students have enjoyed the labs that you have made possible with these crucibles. So far we have completed a magnesium combustion experiment and a lab hydrate experiment; both of these labs require crucibles. Since we received the new crucibles, students in different classes have all commented to me that these metal crucibles are much better than the older ceramic crucibles that were previously used in my class.

  First of all, these metal crucibles heat up faster than the ceramic crucibles.

  I was surprised to hear all student groups telling me that they had completed the heating portion of the lab in only about 25 minutes! After years of using the ceramic crucibles, I was accustomed to some student groups taking up to an hour to complete the lab - and many times students would have to stay after class or come back and repeat parts of the lab during lunch. But this time everyone finished with good results.

  Secondly, I was happy that none of the crucibles broke. In past years, students usually drop and break 3 or 4 ceramic crucibles every year. But these metal crucibles are more durable; even when they fall to the floor they will not shatter.

  Your great contribution improves the environment in our Chemistry lab and classroom. Instead of just working out Chemistry textbook problems day after day, my students are now able to participate in more hands on lab experiments, then analyze and make calculations and conclusions based on their own lab data and lab findings. The major Chemistry labs supported by these metal crucibles - Determining the Empirical Formula of a Metal Oxide and Determination of the Formula of a Hydrate - are both required labs in college level chemistry. So students' learning will benefit practically. Instead of just gaining the Chemistry "textbook" knowledge required, they are gaining lab experience with the lab tools and lab methodologies that are preparing them for college chemistry. Hopefully many of these students will enjoy their Chemistry lab experiences and will be inspired to pursue science related college majors.

  Once again, I greatly appreciate your generous gift to my Chemistry classes. And since the materials are so durable (metal crucibles), my future students will also be able to use these same crucibles for several years to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

• Please Help Provide Basic Motion Detectors for Physics

  Funded Oct 12, 2012

  I want to thank you for your contribution to my Physics classroom. My students have been very excited about receiving the five sonar motion detectors; they appreciate the opportunity to work in science labs with computer technology. With these motion detectors, students are now able to measure the speed, position, and acceleration of objects more quickly and more accurately than they could when they only had basic stopwatches. This necessary improvement motivates the students, giving new life to many of our lab experiments.

  During this difficult period, my school is facing economic cutbacks from our district, from our state, and from the federal government. At times, the financial future has looked very dim and unpromising for our students. But thanks to the generous support of individuals like you, the students in my urban public school classroom are finally receiving and benefiting from the type of computer technology that is primarily enjoyed by private school classrooms.

  We are still hoping to eventually acquire more of these units and additional computer interface equipment, but I am so happy to have these five units - these are the first ones that I have been able to purchase in 15 years.

  Thank you again for your support, your gift has made it possible for my Physics students to enjoy a modernized, computer lab experience.”

  With gratitude,

  Mr. V.

  This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 4 other donors.