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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Van Arsdale from Eagle River, AK is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Van Arsdale is requesting

Inspiring Science Through Biotechnology

My students need kits to investigate biotechnology in Forensic science; in order to deal with larger class sizes we need power supplies and electrophoresis chambers.

  • $1,291 goal

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Hooray! This project is fully funded

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My Students

Forensic science is best learned at the lab bench. I motivate students through mystery. I assess them on performance of the scientific skills they have learned. My classroom demonstrates that kids who have never liked science can excel when you wrap it engaging lab practices.

I teach at a school of 900 students in South Central Alaska.

Nearly half of my students have lived in Alaska all of their lives, the other half, almost all military transfers, have been in the state for less than two years. My classroom is a melting pot of students who have a deep sense of place, but little sense of the world and students who have a wide sense of the world but very little sense of place. Some come from far away and others have never left home. They are mixed in ethnicity, income, and family beliefs. Most have chosen the class because they don't like science and are afraid of the challenges that physics of chemistry might bring.

My Project

My students have always learned PCR and Gel Electrophoreses techniques, but they have done so with paper, pencil, and computer animation. These lab supplies, will allow my students the hands-on experience of doing forensic DNA fingerprinting. It will be high point of a month long unit that teaches students, DNA structure, genetics, and DNA technology.

I have a friend who is a fellow forensic science teacher.

Through a grant he was able to secure the kinds of supplies that I have requested. For the last several years his forensic students have done PCR and DNA fingerprinting. More than once he has had students; who were not particularly gifted in science; looked him in the eye and say, "I think I have found what I want to do in life." By making this topic more experiential I hope to inspire students to follow lab science as a vocation.

Mr. Van Arsdale Eagle River High School Grades 9-12

More about Mr. Van Arsdale

Eagle River, AK View local requests

More than a third 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

66 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Carolina Separation Station II Electrophoresis Equipment Package, 110-V • Carolina Biological Supply Company $616.50 1 $616.50
PCR Forensics Simulation 8-Station Kit • Carolina Biological Supply Company $143.95 2 $287.90

Materials cost

$904.40

Vendor shipping charges

 $135.66

Sales tax

 $13.57

3rd party payment processing fee

$13.57

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,097.20

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$193.62

Total project goal

$1,290.82

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,290.82

1 Donor

-$1,290.82

Donations toward project cost

-$1,097.20

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$193.62

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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