Past projects 4
Hands on Science, Keeping It Rigorous and Fun
Funded Aug 15, 2024On behalf of the students and staff at Mark Twain Middle School, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous support in funding our science and health education initiatives. Thanks to your donations, our students have been able to engage in rigorous, hands-on activities that have brought their learning to life in unforgettable ways.
This year, our students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of immersive experiences, from dissecting cow eyes to explore the anatomy of vision, to using stethoscopes to monitor blood pressure, and studying real specimens of lungs and hearts to better understand the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. These activities not only enriched their scientific knowledge but also sparked genuine excitement and curiosity about the human body and health sciences. By engaging in these activities, our students gained valuable insights into fields such as medicine and physiology, and developed critical thinking skills that will serve them in many areas of life.
Your support has made a tremendous difference in providing these fun, rigorous, and meaningful learning experiences. Thank you for believing in the importance of hands-on education and for helping us inspire the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and informed citizens.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Geshke
This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and 7 other donors.Shake Table
Funded Aug 23, 2023On behalf of our students and the entire science department at Mark Twain Middle School, I want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous support in helping us acquire a vibration table for our annual bridge-making contest. Your donation has enabled us to create an impactful, hands-on learning experience that would not have been possible without your generosity.
This year, 175 students participated in the bridge-making activity, and thanks to the shake table, they were able to experience the realistic effects of seismic forces on their structures. The vibration table allowed our students to simulate the intense ground motions of an earthquake, testing the resilience and structural integrity of their bridge models. This powerful experience deepened their understanding of the critical role that earthquake-resistant design plays in our earthquake-prone region.
The excitement among our students was palpable. Across all grade levels, they eagerly embraced the challenge, refining their designs and learning through trial and error. Your support not only enhanced their STEM education but also inspired them to think creatively, work collaboratively, and consider real-world applications of their learning.
Thank you for believing in the importance of science education and for helping us prepare the next generation of engineers, scientists, and responsible citizens. We are thrilled to share these experiences with you and look forward to updating you on the continued impact of your generous gift.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Geshke
This classroom project was brought to life by United Airlines and 8 other donors.Memorable Dissections
Funded Apr 25, 2015Thanks again for your generosity for students in my classroom. I am so blessed to have your support. It was a pleasure to bring to kids an experience that they will remember always. I was able to convince the other science teacher at our school who had never done dissections with his students to join us so your generosity was doubled and now students are looking forward to their upcoming high school labs. I know that the hands on support allowed them to understand the lab setting in a whole new way. Thanks again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Geshke
Citizen Scientists- Bring it On!
Funded Oct 4, 2013During the first week of October, we received a great package of lab equipment that allowed us to do hands on science of marine water testing and we put those supplies to use right away. The sixth grade students have taken two walking field trips to the beach and have taken tests for marine waters in temperature, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen. They have really gotten into working into teams to make sure that they are carefully doing their experiments right. We are lucky to be so close to the Pacific Ocean and the Ballona Wetlands.
The 7th graders have not gotten a chance to do their cow eyeball dissection since it has not fit into the curriculum yet; however, they ask me about every other day when is it time to do this. They will be completing their dissection in December. They have spent time with hands on activities and are working with field biologists to study birds and their natural habitats. Thanks again for your support.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Geshke