Mrs. Abrams-Ruque's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 58

• Learning DNA the Hands-On Way!

  Funded Feb 27, 2022

  Thank you so much for supporting our DonorsChoose project and allowing for the purchase of science models to use in our classroom. Students were better able to understand how DNA transcribes into RNA, the different types of RNA, and how RNA is used to build proteins in our bodies. My student teacher used these materials for a hands-on review activity and I was able to use them during lecture to help students visualize the content. The kit allowed students to practice independently also, and see what happens when there are DNA mutations. I look forward to being able to use these models for many years to come. Thanks again, take care.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Virtual Dissections & Online Labs Make Hands-on Experiences More Meaningful

  Funded Aug 13, 2021

  Thanks so much for supporting this project! Similar to last year, this year has been challenging with many students having to quarantine at various times. Having online activities ready to go has made things less stressful for both the students and myself. My students have been able to use these activities to help visualize and master many of our learning objectives for Biology. As we begin our dissections in Zoology class, the virtual dissections are so helpful in preparing students for what they will need to be able to identify during the hands-on labs. Thank you again for supporting my classroom and students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 28 other donors.

• Blending Biotech and Art to Engage Students in Science

  Funded Apr 24, 2021

  I'm so excited to use these materials with my Forensic Science students! The Pipetting By Numbers Practice kits will help my students practice their pipetting skills while they get to create fun, science-themed art! The variable micropipettes are a science lab staple; having real science equipment will allow my students to gain skills they will apply in college lab settings and in many career fields. Also having the extra pipet tips will ensure I'll be able to reuse our pipets with new students in the years to come. Again, thank you for supporting my students and making hands-on labs possible!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Diablo Highway Murder Mystery: Digital Science Instruction

  Funded Aug 13, 2020

  It has been a challenging year with hybrid instruction for the first semester and only seeing students in person two days a week during that time. Having engaging activities for students to participate in online learning was great for our forensic science class. Diablo Highway was a fun murder mystery based on the double-murder of Hazel Frome and her daughter Nancy that occurred in March 1938 on a desert road in Southwest Texas. This interactive website allowed students to learn about the real crime, collect and analyze the various types of evidence, and eventually use all of their observations and analysis to solve the crime. Thank you so much for helping bring this experience to my students. Your support is greatly appreciated!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by IF/THEN, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and 6 other donors.

• Microscope Magnification

  Funded May 5, 2020

  Thank you! My students greatly enjoyed using our new classroom microscope. In a year of social distancing due to COVID restrictions, having an extra microscope made it possible to safely continue science labs. Having the additional high-power lens also made viewing small specimens a breeze! Students particularly enjoyed looking at sperm and blood samples from many different species of animals. I look forward to using this microscope with students for many years to come. Your donation and support is very appreciated!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and 8 other donors.

• A Microscope for Students who are Visually Impaired

  Funded Sep 25, 2020

  Thank you so much for helping support my student with vision impairments. For a long time, she's had to sit on the sidelines during science activities and this year I was determined to allow her to participate in as many biology activities as possible. Using technology we took what is microscopic and would have been invisible to her, magnified it hundreds of times using our new microscope, then uploaded it to her assistive device so she could zoom in even further and see the same microscopic images her classmates were seeing! She was able to learn how to manipulate a microscope and did not miss out on any parts of the activity. It was inspiring to me as a teacher to work with such a determined young lady and I think she'll remember these activities for a long time. She said her favorite was seeing one of the tardigrades also known as "water bears", which are a nearly indestructible micro-animal that can survive even the vacuum of outer space! She also experimented with Daphnia water fleas, was able to see their heart beat, then add chemicals to watch it speed up and slow down, as well as observing many other specimens in class. Thanks again for allowing me to give her these experiences.

  I will continue to use the microscope with other students as well. My forensic science students were able to log many images of evidence and learn about crime lab procedures while using it. Thank you for making all of this possible for many students for many years to come!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by IF/THEN, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and 4 other donors.

• Murder & Mystery: Digital Science Instruction During COVID School Closures

  Funded Jul 12, 2020

  Thank you so much for helping to fund our digital science project. Hybrid school has been difficult for some students. Each group attends in-person two days a week, and works from home the other 3. This, along with the social distancing requirements and masks, have made in-person labs more challenging than usual. I am so glad I have these resources to help supplement my curriculum for students.

  The Murder at Old Fields interactive virtual crime scene has been fun for my Forensic Science students. They've enjoyed getting to search for evidence to analyze. Right now they are about half way to solving the crime.

  The eMind Biology program has been a great tutorial, especially for struggling students. It allows them to interact more with the curriculum and practice important concepts. We have not yet completed the virtual microscope labs but I am looking forward to it as it will be good practice before they use real microscopes in class.

  Thanks again for your support through these interesting times. Stay safe & healthy!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 19 other donors.

• Breathe Easy and Say Goodbye to Stinky Science

  Funded Sep 12, 2020

  Thank you so much for helping purchase an air filter for my classroom. The original project was written for 2 air filters and refill filter cartridges but the items were out of stock by the time the project funded so we instead ordered a single, larger air filter unit instead. So far the air filter is working great! It has been neat to see the number of particles in the air go down since turning the air filter on a week ago. With it being flu and allergy season, as well as having COVID cases starting to pop up in our district, having an air filter gives me a little peace of mind that some of the particles are being filtered out of the air before we breathe them in. I can't thank you enough for caring about the health and safety of my students. Thanks so much for your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Invertebrates Bring Zoology Class to Life

  Funded Jan 7, 2020

  Thank you again for donating to help purchase a millipede habitat, freshwater mussels, an ant farm, and a bessbug habitat for our classroom. Students have had fun observing our new class pets and learning about their classification, behaviors, and major characteristics. It was neat seeing students come to class excited to see what new tunnels our ants would dig each night. Students also did experiments to see how much weight our bessbug beetles could pull and they were shocked at how strong they were! The mussels have not been too exciting to watch as they don't move a lot, but students have learned about the importance of filter feeders in the ocean and our fish are enjoying the benefits of having cleaner tanks. The millipedes were also a bit hit and students have really overcome their fears by holding them. Thanks again for providing my students the opportunity to interact with live animals in the classroom!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 17 other donors.

• Science for Visual and Tactile Learners

  Funded Jul 17, 2019

  Thank you so much for helping me make my classroom eye-catching and engaging! The posters provided through this project have helped to make my bulletin board colorful and educational! Having visuals for students is so important. Students have also been using the white Post-it poster paper to make some of their own posters to demonstrate learning and decorate the room and hallways. Your donation also helped us purchase animal cell magnets and a new bacterial cell model, which gave me great visuals to use while instructing. Your continued support of my classroom has been so appreciated! Thank you again for showing my students you care about their education!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by Google.org and 3 other donors.