Mrs. Abrams-Ruque's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 58

• Zoology Students Weigh In On Insect Metamorphosis

  Funded Aug 22, 2015

  As we wrap up our Arthropod unit in Zoology class I must once again say thank you for donating materials which have had such a large impact on my students! It was a joy to watch my students interact with the insects and use our new electronic balance!

  Our termite lab was a huge success as students were able to figure out which ink pens have chemicals similar to termite pheromones. They were able to test what shape of path termites follow the easiest and how far of distances the pheromones can be sensed over.

  Students have been also measuring and recording the growth of their hornworm insects for several weeks, using the metric system and technology, and gaining new knowledge all along the way. Students watched them molt, cared for their insects by feeding and cleaning up after them, and many students really seemed to form a special bond. They watched their insects grow and transform and now we wait to see if any moths will emerge from the pupa they have created. I have loved seeing my students so excited about the scientific process and sharing what they have learned.

  Thank you for providing my scientist students the tools to make learning fun and engaging. The electronic balance is a real asset to our classroom inventory and the insects have impacted student learning and engagement in tremendous ways. I appreciate your support very much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Empower Science Students to Conquer Cancer

  Funded Aug 22, 2015

  Thanks so much for supporting our Donors Choose Project! The hands-on experiences and visuals have really helped bring the topics of the cell cycle, mitosis, and cancer to life for my students. So many students know someone with cancer, but did not really understand what cancer was. The models purchased with this project have helped to teach my students about some of the most common types of cancer and the importance of self-checks. Students were able to circulate around the classroom to sixteen different stations that were set up for them. They got to experience what a tumor feels like on our breast and prostate model and see the difference between healthy and cancerous tissues with our testicular, lung, and colon cancer models. They viewed biopsies through a microscope and were able to differentiate between healthy cells and cancerous cells. We talked about cancer prevention and treatments. Overall, I could see my students were taking it all in and learned some important lessons. They enjoyed the hands-on component and being able to interact with many of the models. Thanks so much for your support!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Hands Down, Paddles Up: A New Way To Assess Science

  Funded May 29, 2015

  Thank you so much for providing my students with individual dry-erase paddles, markers, and erasers. I also appreciate having a storage cart to keep the materials handy and organized! So far the dry-erase paddles have been a huge hit with students! They think they are fun and I've been able to do quick informal assessments to see how well my students are learning our class content, without giving them extra homework or having to put them on the spot by asking individuals to answer questions in front of the class. I plan to use these a lot during the school year to continue making quick assessments and to gather information from my students. The back of each white board paddle also has grid lines to make graphs, which will be very important as we begin collecting lab data and graphing our findings. With an increase in class sizes this year, these will help me ensure that every student is getting the help and attention they need to succeed. Thank you again. Without your support we would not have been able to obtain these materials!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Learning DNA the hands-on way!

  Funded Nov 10, 2014

  Thank you so very much to everyone who donated to our DNA model project! My students and I were humbled that 101 strangers were willing to donate these materials and support our classroom. My students were also super excited to hear that Grant Imahara from Mythbusters was a donor and helped fund the project. My students are all aware of the show and had no idea that celebrities were willing to reach out to high school students in such a generous way. So thank you, Grant, you really brightened their day!

  I have been able to use the models with my forensic science and Biology classes and plan to continue to develop new lessons with these materials for future. My students have been little engineers and scientists building DNA and RNA models. Many have enjoyed the opportunity to work with their hands and learn about the structures in a more interactive way. Recently they were using the whiteboard kits to learn how DNA and RNA make proteins in the body. We are now using them to talk about mutations and introduce genetic variation and evolution. I'm so thankful to everyone for supporting our school and providing my students these new learning opportunities. Thank you so much!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Empower Students to Conquer Cancer

  Funded Jan 3, 2015

  Thank you! As a result of your generous support, my students were able to do so many hands-on activities to help them understand cancer and the cell cycle. They were able to look at actual cancer biopsies under the microscope and learn how to identify cancer cells. They also were able to learn about breast cancer and skin cancer and practice self checks with our new breast cancer and skin cancer models. They were able to visualize mitosis and the cell cycle with new cell models and a step by step poster. They also each got a bead that changes color when exposed to UV light, to remind them of the importance of sun protection in teens.

  My students also created a mural to support loved ones who have battled cancer. They opened up to me about family members who have fought or are currently fighting the disease. I really got to know my students on a new level and am so happy this unit allowed them to open up to both me and their families. Students were encouraged to share what they learned about cancer with their families.

  There were so many positive outcomes from this unit that would not have been possible without your support. It is so appreciated! Thanks again!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Help Teens Go Green (Sustainability & Invasive Species)

  Funded Jul 29, 2014

  Words are not enough to thank you for your support of our Donors Choose Project. In my twelve years of teaching this is the most excited and engaged I have seen students during our ecology unit. Our new resources helped bring these topics to life and make them relatable for students.

  During our sustainability lab, students built ecosystems from Play-Doh, Gravel, Sand, Beads, and toothpicks. The supplies represented the various layers of the earth and both renewable and nonrenewable resources, such as trees, gems, and fossil fuels. Students then traded ecosystems with another group and were challenged to harvest the land for resources to maintain a living but not to over-deplete them beyond a sustainable existence. I overheard some amazing conversations and debate as students worked together to incorporate some of the sustainability topics from our classroom studies. I even had a student write me a note that this was the best lab that he had ever done, and you made it possible! I couldn't have been more pleased with the work that went on in class and I am confident this is something students will now carry with them into their futures.

  During our invasive species labs, students were given roles of competing predators. They saw how an invasive predator can cause a ripple of effects in an ecosystem. They were also able to analyze the impact of invasive plants species and ran calculations to predict the extinction of native species as a result. Again, as I walked around the classroom I was overjoyed with the participation, engagement, and learning I saw happening.

  So again, thank you so very much for supporting my students and for creating so many learning opportunities for my classes. I am grateful for the new experiences I was able to provide my students with your help.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Help Students See and Experience Science with New Eyes

  Funded Jul 13, 2014

  Thank you very much! I am so humbled by your generous donation and support of my students. The document camera and microscope slides you helped to purchase have been such amazing learning tools. My students have been using our document camera in combination with microscopes to view, measure, record, and analyze the preserved slides and other microscopic specimens. As a class we have been able to all look at the same microscope images using our whiteboard and therefore discuss what we are seeing- something we previously were unable to do. Students can now save their images, post them online, and share what they are learning with others. They are also able to take measurements in micrometers, a metric unit that was previously foreign to them. They had no idea that things so small even existed; now they can see them with their own eyes!

  I am excited to explore all of the other uses of our document camera and the accompanying computer software. With larger class sizes, I will now be able to project demonstrations so every student feels like they have a front row seat. I can record class activities so absent students don't miss important labs and demos. This is such an amazing classroom resource and my students and I sincerely thank you! Your support means so much and will not be forgotten!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

• Microscope Mania

  Funded Aug 23, 2014

  Thank you so much for funding this project. My students and I were so excited when our new microscope arrived. I have large class sizes this year which makes sharing microscopes more difficult. Having this additional microscope allows each student to have more time to use this very important tool.

  My Forensic Science students used this microscope to examine their own hair, as well as various animal hairs, and other types of crime scene evidence. Next week they will use the microscope to analyze fiber evidence as well. I have already seen their skills progress and I am sure they will be microscope experts by the end of the school year.

  Very soon my Biology classes will also be using the microscope to view plant and animal cells and a variety of cell processes. It is always exciting to see students use a microscope for the first time; it really is as if they see a whole new world they did not know existed. I cannot thank you enough for supporting our classroom and for the countless learning opportunities this microscope will provide for my students. I am extremely grateful that you chose to support us.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Abrams-Ruque

  This classroom project was brought to life by Gates Foundation Back To School and 20 other donors.