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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Helgeson from Anchorage, AK is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Helgeson is requesting

Alaska Watershed Experiment

Help me give my students paint trays, sponges and parsley to create watershed experiments.

  • $387 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Helgeson for her next project!

Help Ms. Helgeson

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Ms. Helgeson for her next project!

My Students

This is a special and unique year. My classroom this year is our school cafeteria. This has been truly hard on all of us.

My school is a true melting pot of cultures, economic statuses, homes, and families.

This school is considered high poverty; over 60% of our students are economically disadvantaged, and our school has now qualified for free lunch and breakfast for our students.

We have over 10 different cultural backgrounds in our classroom with such diversity as Alaska Native, Samoan, Russian, and American Indian. While studying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of my students answered the question "What do you think Dr. King would say about our classroom?" One answered, "He would say that our class is his dream come true." Which is exactly right. We are such a wonderful mix of persons.

My Project

One of my school district's mandates is for our fourth grade students to understand interdependence of our environment within the Anchorage watershed.

Students will create a downhill watershed environment using the paint trays and sponges.

We glue most of the sponges down to the paint tray. Once we dye the water and mix in water, we send it down the paint tray to watch what happens. We get to see the difference of what the extra sponges or astroturf make a difference in the water flow to the bottom of the tray. This is a great illustration of the water coming down from the mountains to the ocean in our fantastic city.

Ms. Helgeson College Gate Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Ms. Helgeson

Anchorage, AK View local requests

More than half of 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

30 students impacted 6donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Helgeson is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
KEILEOHO 5 Pack 9 Inch Plastic Paint Trays, Thickened Professional Paint Tray Liners Disposable, Black Paint Roller Tray for Home Renovations and Repair, Paint Rollers, Paint Brushes • Amazon Business $17.85 5 $89.25
Cleaning Scrub Colored Sponge,Non-Scratch Kitchen Cellulose Dishwashing Sponge,16Pack Biodegradable Natural Sponge • Amazon Business $13.99 4 $55.96
QEP 70005Q-6D Sponges, 6 Pack, Yellow, 6 Count • Amazon Business $10.05 4 $40.20
GOLDEN MOON Artificial Grass Turf Patch Tiles, 4 Pcs 12 x 12 Synthetic Grass Square Mats DIY Grass Decoration • Amazon Business $17.99 2 $35.98
Loctite 908570-6 Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant, 2.7 oz. Tubes (Case of 6) • Amazon Business $17.28 1 $17.28
Natural Plant Based Scrub Sponge 12 Pack, Palm Fiber Scrubbing Sponge with Non Scratch Biodegradable Compostable Sponges,Durable No Smell Dishwashing Kitchen Scrubber • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
Gel Spice Parsley Flakes Food Service Size 16oz (1lb) • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
12 Color Cake Food Coloring Set, Nomeca Food Grade Vibrant Food Color Liquid Dye Tasteless for Baking, Icing, Decorating, Fondant, Cooking, Slime Making DIY Supplies Kit - .35 Fl. Oz (10 ml) Bottles • Amazon Business $12.98 1 $12.98
Gorilla 8090001, Clear 100 Percent Silicone Sealant Caulk, 2.8 ounce Squeeze Tube, 1-Pack • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99

Materials cost

$289.62

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $4.34

3rd party payment processing fee

$4.34

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$328.30

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$57.94

Total project goal

$386.24

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $386.24

3 Donors

-$277.18

Donations toward project cost

-$261.58

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$15.60

Matching donations from our partners

-$78.50

Match offers toward project cost

-$66.72

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$11.78

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$30.56

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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 Ms. Helgeson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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