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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

More Hydroponic Fun With STEM Science

My students need indoor grow lights, timers, nutrients, PPM meter and seed starting unit to complete their Hydroponics project system.

  • $811 goal

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Hooray! This project is fully funded

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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. I am posting this project to enhance the hydroponics systems already on order with lights to allow growing vegetables all winter. LED lighting will allow us to study the light spectrum and plant light cycle, and the PPM meter will give us a way to measure nutrient concentrations. Students will use the germination tent to start seedlings in a controlled environment. With the trellis netting we will design and build a support trellis for larger vining plants like tomatoes, cucumbers and peas.

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 10donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Global Star® Gs-(srs)100leds 100x6w Horticulture Full Spectrum LED Grow Light for Indoor Plant Growing,one Switch for Leaf,another for Flowering • Amazon $259.98 2 $519.96
General Hydroponics Flora Series QT - FloraGro, FloraBloom, and FloraMicro, 32 oz each • Amazon $39.85 1 $39.85
Hydrofarm CK64050 Germination Station with Heat Mat • Amazon $34.36 1 $34.36
Hydrofarm TM01015D Dual Outlet Grounded Timer • Amazon $11.19 2 $22.38
Gardeneer By Dalen Trellis Netting Heavy-Duty Nylon Tangle-Free Net 5' x 30' • Amazon $12.97 1 $12.97
Mudder Big Size LCD Display Dual Digital TDS Meter with 3 Buttons, Measure TDS (0-9990ppm) and Temp, Suitable for Household Drinking Water, Aquarium Pool Water, Swimming Pools, Hydroponics, SPA, Laboratory and Scientific Testing(TDS&TEMP METER) • Amazon $9.99 1 $9.99

Materials cost

$639.51

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$9.59

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.59

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$688.69

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$121.53

Total project goal

$810.22

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$810.22

6 Donors

-$630.10

Donations toward project cost

-$535.59

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$94.51

match offer

-$180.12

Match offer toward project cost

-$153.10

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$27.02

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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