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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Wodtke from Tununak, AK is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Wodtke is requesting

Hydroponic Fun with STEM Science in Alaska!

My students need hydroponics systems to provide hands-on examples for science, with self-contained grow systems and Ph kit that allows them to do chemical tests.

  • $590 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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Help Mr. Wodtke

My Students

Our typical day in the classroom incorporates plenty of experimentation and hands-on activity. But much of our science curriculum is done with online virtual experiments which is a challenge for some of the students. I would like to give them more real-world examples of how to use science.

Our school is in a small village in an isolated part of rural Alaska.

We are accessible only by plane or boat. The school has the highest level of financial poverty with everyone qualifying for free lunch. My students are energetic and enthusiastic about working on real-world problem-solving. The culture has a long history of living by subsistence practices in a harsh sub-arctic environment. There is a strong collaborative bond in the village and a welcoming openness to outsiders. At the same time there is a challenge to students who would like to go to college and see more of the world because of the high degree of isolation. Many of the people live outside of the cash economy and I think they will really benefit from a knowledge of hydroponics.

My Project

My students will use the hydroponic systems to learn a wide variety of skills in an integrated STEM environment including Biology, Math, Engineering, Technology and Chemistry by setting up a grow system, fertilizing regularly and monitoring the Ph and growth cycles of the plants. There are very few gardens in the area due to the long winters and there are as yet no greenhouses. So this experience is crucial to introducing ideas about agriculture and other forms of self-sufficiency to the community.

Not only will students learn from the science curriculum, but these growing systems will enhance the classroom environment.

I have seen examples of high poverty classrooms that were greatly improved by growing vegetables in the classroom. Absenteeism could be greatly reduced and engagement improved. An added bonus will be to supply the kitchen with fresh vegetables to improve the lunch program which also feeds many of the elders of the village.

Mr. Wodtke Paul T Albert Memorial School Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mr. Wodtke

Tununak, AK View local requests

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

60 students impacted 14donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
General Hydroponics EcoGrower Drip Hydroponic System • Amazon $221.69 2 $443.38
General Hydroponics GH1514 Ph Control Kit • Amazon $14.26 1 $14.26

Materials cost

$457.64

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $6.86

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.86

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$501.36

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$88.48

Total project goal

$589.84

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $589.84

10 Donors

-$269.91

Donations toward project cost

-$229.43

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$40.48

Matching donations from our partners

-$319.92

Match offers toward project cost

-$271.93

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$47.99

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$0.01

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 Mr. Wodtke and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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