Past projects 24
Sage-on-the-Stage No More!
Funded Nov 12, 2019This whiteboard has been a game changer in our 5th grade classroom. Students now have the option to take their work to various spots in the classroom to work out problems, plan essays, and design solutions.
We cannot thank you enough for your generosity. The fact that students have a whiteboard donated by folks whom they have never met is exceptionally meaningful to them.
These students were also quick to point out that this gift will last long after they promote to middle school. As they say, "It's the gift that keeps on giving!"”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Biggie
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 12 other donors.Keep Physical Science Inquiry-Based
Funded May 3, 2019The resources you helped donate to our 5th grade class are immeasurable. Physical science at this grade level introduces the foundations of chemistry, such as matter can be too small to be seen, physical properties of matter, and physical vs chemical changes of matter. Our latest investigation compared weights before and after a physical change. We used your donated hot plates to melt butter, chocolate, and Gummy Bears. Then, we used your donated triple beam balance to weigh matter. Students loved being able to test their theories with these supplies.
Knowing that these items were donations made all the difference. Before your generosity, our school did not have the materials to allow students to explore this phenomena. Rather, the teacher was forced to demonstrate this activity for the whole class, if the activity was done at all. The excitement in the classroom today was electric. Students were extremely grateful and moved by your choice to fund this project.
Our next investigation will explore mixtures and chemical changes. Again, using your donated supplies, students get to combine items such as Alka Seltzer and water in sealed bags. This traps the gas that is created. Using the triple beam balance, students plan to weigh the bags and determine if any matter was lost during the reaction. It's going to be great, and it would not have been possible without your donation.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Biggie
This classroom project was brought to life by San Diego Gas & Electric and 3 other donors.Protect What You Know and Love
Funded Jan 25, 2018The resources you provided are necessary and applicable to this project in many ways. For example, chart paper was used to document all animals that can be found on a walk from our school to a local park. We used this knowledge to organize animals into groups. Some students grouped by size or color. Some students grouped by location in a food web. Other students grouped by the type of food an animal eats. It was a fascinating activity to introduce the topic of biomimicry in our Life Science unit.
When the items arrived, the students knew they were in for a real treat! At the time, they did not know how they would use the materials. It wasn't until we started designing and planning our biodomes that students put it all together. The cups you donated ended up being an important part of the project. Students used them to capture insects, such as Rollie Pollies, crickets, snails, and worms. Cups were also used to store water in several student biodomes. Craft sticks were used to mix sand and soil, support the building's structure, and elevate the roof of the biodome.
The impact this project had on my students is remarkable. The lessons learned include how energy flows through an ecosystem, the water cycle, food webs, photosynthesis, population density, and the carbon cycle. Once concluded, students have a better understanding of just how delicate our ecosystem is and how connected all biotic and abiotic organisms are in any given environment. This greater knowledge means that students have a better appreciation of their world and will be more willing to protect and take care of what they know and love.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Biggie
This classroom project was brought to life by The First Million Fund and 15 other donors.Fifth Grade Physical Science Matters!
Funded Nov 3, 2017I am so very grateful for the resources you made available for my fifth grade students this year in Science. The products you funded helped me teach student about the matter that surrounds us, how we interact with it, and how it changes when interacting with each other.
My students did not know about the DonorsChoose project until the package was delivered. They were thrilled when the materials arrived; you would have thought it was Christmas morning!
We are using the materials for hands-on experiments and investigations. For example, we used the yeast and hydrogen peroxide to show the possible results of a chemical reaction. When combined, the substance's temperature dropped and bubbles started forming. Another hands-on investigation we completed weighed Alka-Seltzer and water before and after their reaction to help us understand that mass was conserved even when a new substance was formed in a chemical reaction. The students were amazed!
Now that we've completed our Physical Science unit, my next step is to move into Earth Science. Students will learn about water on Earth, how limited of a resource it actually is, as well as ways to keep it available for as many living things that require it. I have a current DonorsChoose project pending that can help bring needed supplies to the classroom. These supplies will give students the needed tools to document and show what they know as they learn about the world around them.
Thank you, again, for your generous donation. The scientific exploration would not have been possible without your thoughtfulness to contribute.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Biggie