This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
I teach biology in a large high school in an urban school district in Connecticut. My students come to me with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, but they are all focused on working towards their future. The majority of the students graduating from my school move on to post secondary education at a four year college, community college, or trade school. Regardless of the path they choose after high school, they all need to be equipped with the skills to be successful in today's society.
My Project
I am requesting laptops that will be used in my classroom for a variety of purposes. In my school, there is a set of aging laptops that is shared between the members of the science department. However, they are often not functioning properly. I would like to replace these laptops with new ones so that my students will be able to effectively use technology in the science classroom.
One focus over the next several years will be the implementation of the newly adopted Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) which put an emphasis on technological skills.
The NGSS framework incorporates modeling as a strategy for students to map out their thinking and understanding. New laptops would allow them greater access to simulations and other tools to help with their modeling.
Students in my AP biology course rely heavily on computers for access to the internet where there are a variety of tools to support their learning and test preparation. Our textbook has a companion website with online activities and assessments that are instrumental in their learning. Additionally, my students are enrolled in AP Insight, which provides online resources and formative assessments for the students. Access to this program is critical for students to identify topics of concern and find ways to improve their understanding of the challenge areas.
There is a demand for increased use of technology in the 21st century classroom, and my classroom is ill-equipped to provide my students with the necessary skills to be successful beyond high school. The donations for my classroom will help to bridge the technology gap that many of my students face. Having increased exposure to technology in the classroom will better prepare my students to enter a world where technology is omnipresent.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Leone and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
