Past projects 2
Hands-On Practice and Team Competitions for Chemistry
Funded Nov 12, 2023Thank you for funding the Hands-On Practice and Team Competitions for Chemistry. My 120 10th graders have completed two of the five kits: a competition to build the ball that would bounce the highest and a model of chemical reactions using cubes.
Before spring break, using one of the kits from this project, we built bouncy balls using glue and a solution of sodium borate. After following the same recipe, each team chose to add other substances to try to build a bouncier ball. While most of our teams averaged around 8 cm, the winning team constructed a ball that bounced 14 cm. The class collectively gasped when they shared their number. It was our first engineering project of the year, and required a lot of critical thinking about what substance would increase the bounce and why. My students struggled to explain their ideas, so I am grateful we have a second engineering project from this donation to use before the end of the school year.
This last week, we started balancing chemical equations which relies heavily on math and repeated practice. Another purchase from this project meant that my students could balance their first equations using colorful interlocking cubes rather than paper and pencil. My students loved it; one even said, about the materials, "Wow, this is the fancy stuff." Thank you for helping my students feel valued when they could use new materials in class.
We have three of the activities left from this project, and those activities will ensure that the end of the school year is highly engaging. Thanks to your donation, my students will be able to engineer a rocket and discuss scientific ideas with their colleagues. These projects will give my students lasting memories of the joy and challenge of science.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bassier
This classroom project was brought to life by Nevada Department of Education.Inspiring Future Physicists and Engineers
Funded Nov 13, 2021Thank you for donating to Inspiring Future Physicists and Engineers! The photos show our recent Solar Vehicle Engineering in which each team received materials to create a basic prototype. I overheard quite a few "oohs" and "aahs" when students wired the engines and heard their first whir. Our biggest challenge was what students described as "drift," and one student eventually realized we needed to align the wheels to keep the vehicles moving straight. Student collected data on their vehicle's performance, and revised to make improvements. We raced the cars; the fastest combined both a solar cell and a battery - based on research into prototypes of real solar vehicles. My juniors and seniors also presented their work to a few middle school classes on my campus, and I noticed eyes light up that the older kids were doing "real" science. Our other engineering projects were similarly engaging.
I can't yet measure your impact on my students' choices of major or career, but we did have four students apply and be accepted to a STEM extracurricular program at UNLV and I've had at least one student ask if we are offering AP Physics next year. Your donation made a huge impact!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Bassier