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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Hodges from Jacksonville, FL is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Hodges is requesting

Good Scientists Axolotl Questions!

Help me give my students the opportunity to discover biology in real life by creating a balanced ecosystem for our class axolotl, including an aquarium chiller to keep the water at a consistent temperature!

  • $975 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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

Help Ms. Hodges

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

My Project

Hello and thank you for considering helping my science students to experience biological science in the real world by investing in our mission to adopt an axolotl as our class pet!

This project will directly align with our curriculum to better help them understand and master the standards for the following areas: properties of water that support life on earth, homeostasis, classification of living things, mitosis, adaptations and natural selection, interdependence of organisms, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, food webs and ecosystems!

Axolotls have a unique adaptation that allows for their underwater survival. Most salamanders begin their life cycle as aquatic organisms, and, over time, loose the ability to breathe under water and transition to becoming fully terrestrial. Axolotls are paedomorphic organisms, meaning they remain in this aquatic juvenile state for their entire lives! Because of this, they have adapted to a special set of gills that are located on the outside of their body, which allow them to remove the oxygen from the water around them in order to breathe. Our class can also discover the fundamental relationship between plants and animals in ecosystems as we add plants to our Axolotl’s aquarium. Axolotls, as all animals, release carbon dioxide into their environment upon respiring, as well as other nutrients via expelled waste. These molecules are then consumed by plants in order to help them undergo the process of photosynthesis, releasing oxygen back into the surrounding water for the axolotl to consume. This process is a delicate balance that helps demonstrate the interdependence of various organisms in ecosystems.

These are just a small portion of the endless life lessons my students could learn with having an axolotl as our class pet. Thank you for supporting this educational process and contributing to the development of strategic problem solvers, leaders and life-long learners!

Ms. Hodges Darnell - Cookman Middle School Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

More about Ms. Hodges

Jacksonville, FL View local requests

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

159 students impacted 1donor

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
BAOSHISHAN Aquarium Chiller 42gal 1/10 HP Water Chiller for Hydroponics System with Compressor Refrigeration Special Quiet Design for Fish Tank Axolotl Coral Reef Tank 160L (42GAL-W) • Amazon Business $339.90 1 $339.90
Norwood Commercial Furniture - NOR-1101AC-SO - Assorted Color Stacking Stools - Stackable Stools for Kids and Adults - Flexible Seating for Home, Office, Classrooms - Plastic/Metal 17.75" (Pack of 5) • Amazon Business $119.10 1 $119.10
SunSun Hw302 265GPH Pro Canister Filter Kit, white - 9 Piece Set • Amazon Business $89.99 1 $89.99
Factory Direct Partners 11232-AS SoftScape 15" Round Floor Cushions with Handles, 2" Thick Deluxe Foam (6-Piece) - Assorted • Amazon Business $71.99 1 $71.99
Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder for Aquarium - Rechargeable Fish Feeder Automatic Dispenser with Timer, Moisture-Proof and Precise Feeding Auto Fish Feeder for Vacation with USB Cable, LCD Display • Amazon Business $24.79 2 $49.58
API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit, White, Single, Multi-colored • Amazon Business $31.91 1 $31.91
Galashield Pebbles for Plants, River Rocks, Decorative Stones for Vases, Garden Rocks Outdoor Landscaping, Polished Aquarium Gravel (5 lb Bag) • Amazon Business $15.66 1 $15.66
PENN-PLAX Reptology Shale Scape Step Ledge & Cave Hideout – Decorative Resin for Aquariums & Terrariums – Great for Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish – Medium • Amazon Business $15.10 1 $15.10
Shrimp Feeding Tube and Dish,Clear Crystal Glass Shrimp Feeder Tube Tray for Fish Tank Aquarium Shrimp • Amazon Business $13.99 1 $13.99
Estes Gravel Products AES06606 Este Marine Sand Black for Aquarium, 5-Pound • Amazon Business $12.96 1 $12.96
PAIZOO Fish Tank Digital Thermometer Accurate LED Display to ±0.9°F Tank Thermometer Aquarium Temperature Measurement Suitable for Fish, Axolotl, Turtle or Aquatic • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
KALIONE Bearded Dragon Hammock Pack, 2 PCS Lizard Hammock Bed, Breathable Mesh Reptile Hammock, Reptile Rest Lounger Carrier, Axolotl Bearded Dragon Geckos Reptile Pet Tank Hammock Accessories, Black • Amazon Business $7.39 1 $7.39
JOR Axolotl Cave, Coconut Shell Hideout and Resting Tunnel, Shelter for Pleco, Crabs, Fish, Turtles, Geckos, Tank Décor, 5” x 3”, 1 Pc Per Pack • Amazon Business $7.20 1 $7.20

Materials cost

$786.76

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.80

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$828.56

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$146.22

Total project goal

$974.78

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$974.78

1 Donor

-$974.78

Donations toward project cost

-$828.56

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$146.22

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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