Mrs. Fuhrmann's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 15

• Displays for Days

  Funded Sep 1, 2024

  Thanks so much for our great resources! We've been working so hard to display and share student work in our classroom and these display boards have been so helpful.

  Recently, we used our display boards to share team-crafted vocabulary cards around properties of light waves. Students worked in their groups to craft definitions, sentences, pictures, and captions. We displayed the terms all over the room, and students rotated through the stations to get initial exposure to these new vocabulary terms. After we completed a simulation to apply these vocabulary terms, students went back and left post-it notes with plus/deltas (helpful things about the card and suggestions for change).

  We'll continue to work on critiquing each other's work as we move into scientific modeling. As students work to develop diagrams that show their understanding of processes (like nuclear fusion), we'll be using these display boards frequently.

  Thanks again for your generous donation. We all really appreciate it.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Modeling for Comprehension

  Funded Mar 22, 2018

  Thank you so much for our new class resources! We were so excited to open our models.

  In our first few weeks of school, our Honors Biology class has already used the Phospholipid and Cell Membrane model kit to learn more about the molecular structure of lipids. The "puzzle pieces" of the kit really solidified students' understanding of how the fatty acid chains connected to the head pieces of the lipids. Additionally, we were able to model and explain why soap works to dissolve grease and why oil and water don't mix. Having the ability to "zoom in" to explain how molecules interact has broadened the students' explanation and understanding.

  We're planning to use our Karyotype Magnet Kits in a few units when we look at how scientists diagnose chromosomal disorders and making connections to fetal genetic testing during pregnancy.

  Thank you again for your donations-the future scientists in our class appreciate it!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Forensic Files-Bio Edition

  Funded Jan 9, 2017

  Thanks again for your support of our classroom project. We just used our UV lights for the first time with great success. As part of our genetics unit, we modified E. coli bacteria by inserting a plasmid (a circular chunk of DNA) that contained two genes. One gene made the bacteria resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin and the other made the bacteria fluoresce under a UV light. Without the UV lights, we wouldn't be able to do this lab!

  The kids were pretty excited about the UV lights and the forensic kits. We'll be using the kits later in the year when we talk about classification and what makes organisms different.

  Now that we've done this lab, the kids will work on re-designing the lab to make it work better (or be more efficient), as well as identify steps along the way that could have caused issues or errors.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Sounds and Screens for Spirit!

  Funded Dec 12, 2015

  Thank you again for your donation to our project. We appreciate your donations to our school. We're planning on using our new technology to increase school spirit for all our classmates. Right now, we're in the process of learning how to quickly set-up and take-down our new inflatable screen in preparation for our outdoor spring spirit event. In our state, it rains a lot and we have to be ready to move inside really fast! You can see in our pictures our practice at putting up and taking down the screen. We hope that our screen and speakers will make our events more exciting so more students will want to come.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

  This classroom project was brought to life by Ashoka & Think It Up Supporters and 4 other donors.

• Measuring Successful Science Labs!

  Funded Dec 29, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donations that allowed us to get new electronic balances and professional weighing equipment for our science labs! The electronic balances replace old triple-beam balances (like the scales you see sometimes at the doctor with bars that move across) and are a huge time-saver! Additionally, we're able to more precisely and accurately measure items since the electronic balances measure all the way to the tenths place. This is an added bonus as it helps our students practice their math skills in the base-10 metric system we use in science.

  The biggest change is that now ALL our students, including our special education students, have a barrier removed during labs. We don't have spend time learning an unrelated skill (using the unwieldy triple-beam balance) anymore so our students are able to spend more time on the science content and data collection.

  Thank you again for your donation-you've truly made a difference in our science classroom.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Super Models for Science!

  Funded Aug 23, 2015

  Thank you so much for your donations! Our classroom is a richer learning environment because of you. We used our new models for the first time last week and students were exposed to a larger variety of models with our new additions.

  All three of the new models show different characteristics of DNA and we first used the models in a compare and contrast activity to determine which of our DNA models is the best. Through this activity, students were able to directly see that all models have limitations, but using a variety of models is the best way to see all characteristics.

  Students especially enjoyed the whiteboard magnet and the puzzle model as they could clearly see the number of hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs and manipulate the pieces to create new versions of the model.

  Analyzing and using models is a big part of both Biology and our new national Next Generation Science Standards. Your donation has made our students able to access new knowledge and skills.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Spinning Samples for Science!

  Funded Feb 27, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous gifts that resulted in our new centrifuge. The students were so excited to get it-we had it on display in our classroom for several weeks!

  This centrifuge is a huge piece of our ability to run high-quality and challenging labs. We are using the centrifuge to mix DNA and restriction enzymes, remove small solutes from liquid, and prepare bacterial suspensions. Your gift allows us to practice a level of biotechnology that was previously missing from our biology curriculum.

  Thank you again for helping our students gain access to technology that will prepare them for a college-level science lab...while in the 9th grade!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• The Clone Book Club

  Funded Jan 9, 2015

  Thank you so much for your generous donation of biotechnology-themed novels. Our Honors Biology class had a great time reading and discussing their novels.

  We used your donation as part of a project to connect the students' biology and English class. Through the unifying themes of scientific ethics and science fiction, students connected their previous biology work on gel electrophoresis and transformation (studying DNA and creating genetically modified bacteria) to the ethical ideas showcased in both Never Let Me Go and House of the Scorpion.

  Students were able to have high quality, thorough, and thoughtful discussions about their own ethics while looking at a fictional scenario. Our goals of students being able to create their own code of ethics and apply it to both the novel dilemmas and our in-class work was achieved!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Science For ALL Languages!

  Funded Nov 16, 2012

  Thank you so very much for funding this project. It has truly changed how my students are learning science in our classroom. From translating text to learning about space, my students are able to access higher level content in a meaningful, exciting way. We just used the iPad to examine the landscape features of the Earth's surface and my students loved "zooming" around Earth with their fingers. This resource helps us transcend the language barrier and make science enjoyable for all students.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann

• Atom + Atom = Molecule

  Funded Jan 21, 2012

  Thank you again so much for your donations! My students are able to now visually and physically show ions and isotopes. Previously we were only able to draw diagrams that showed these concepts, but students can now move the electrons and neutrons to show the differences between a neutral atom and an ion/isotope.

  These concepts used to be very difficult for students, particularly English Language Learners, but I am now able to present the same information in a way that is much easier to understand. I know that my students not only learned MORE about ions and isotopes, but will retain this information for longer.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Fuhrmann