Mrs. Yamauchi's Classroom Edit display name

Past projects 3

• Using the Mind to Learn

  Funded Aug 13, 2019

  I am so greatful for your donation! Already we have had access to the boogie boards and playdoh. Anytime we get to use the fun stuff, it makes our class so much more engaging and the excitement they seem to get from using the materials makes it worth putting together a donors choose project.

  Using the boogie boards has a been not only an educational tool, but also a calming tool. Many of my students will allow their minds to wander, but if I let them doodle on the board, I notice less interruptions and more focused students. This was not the intention, but most definitely a bonus to the materials received.

  Finally, you should have seen their faces when I told them we were going to play with Playdoh, you'd swear they won a jackpot or all got A's.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Yamauchi

  This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Funder and 6 other donors.

• Getting Creative with Colors in Science

  Funded Oct 31, 2018

  When I pursued this project, my intention was to drive student engagement in concepts that were dry and boring, such as cell signaling and enzyme action. Never did I imagine the level of engagement and creativity that would be produced by my students and the amount of fun they had doing it.

  With the topics they used the materials for, I found my students weren't able to understand by simple lecture. Since the responsibility of learning had been placed on them and their presentations by using the play-doh, clay, chalk markers, and Lego's, I discovered a level of engagement and understanding hardly seen from my students. For example, I ran out of class time and told them they could work on it at lunch, which is typical of many of my projects. You should have seen my classroom at lunch, it was PACKED! They brought their friends to show off their project, and I smiled to myself as students who were not in my class shared with my students how they wish their teachers would do fun projects like this.

  When I can get students to take ownership of learning and have fun doing those things, as a teacher, one can agree that this is the epitome of education. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my kids take pride and ownership of this project and more importantly teach their classmates with the power of fun tools like the Playdoh/Clay and chalk makers and Lego's to teach otherwise very difficult concepts.

  I would highly encourage my colleagues to consider this project for their future biology or science projects. My high school students are still kids at heart, and watching have fun while learning will make this project unforgettable.

  I want to thank Chevron and my special friends, Anthony, Saralin, Kenelee and Marisol for contributing to my project. I would also like to thank DonorsChoose.org for providing a platform that helps support projects like these for my students!”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Yamauchi

  This classroom project was brought to life by Chevron Fuel Your School and 4 other donors.

• Biotechnology in Bakersfield

  Funded Nov 18, 2016

  First of all, your contribution to my biotechnology project will have profound and forever impacts on my students. Many of my students have shared they feel like real actual scientists. Using tools of the trade makes them understand the significance to science and the future of genetics. As you know, we could read about this, watch videos about it, but until I let them hold a micro-pipette and load a gel to run electrophoresis, that is when the real learning has occurred.

  When I have students come to me about desires to pursue a Biology major because of what they learned in my class, it makes my heart jump for joy and reminds me why I joined this profession. My teachers planted seeds to pursue science when I grew up, and allowing my kids get to utilized real equipment they might utilize in the workplace or in college makes this all worth it. Your generous contribution will not only affect this class, but several classes to come. My hope with the equipment that we continue to collect over the years, that we will someday open a biotechnology course to offer our students future skills they can apply at a job someday or inspire the scientist within our students to pursue a biotechnology future.

  When I watched my kids hold the pipettes awkwardly for the first time to being able to teach others how to hold properly and use them, my heart smiled. When they were able to load dye into their gels in the electrophoresis chambers, and watch it move across, they were able to explain the reason as to why this occurred. They excitedly yelled for their friends to come over and take a peek at how their gel was different from their friends. These moments will have a deep impact on their experience with biotechnology.

  Finally, please consider your donation like a donation to your favorite teacher you had in school. One of your teachers inspired you to pursue your passions and desires. I hope that teacher helped you recognize you don't have to settle, and that dreams can be achieved. You all did that for me when you donated to my project. I will forever be grateful for your amazing contribution.”

  With gratitude,

  Mrs. Yamauchi