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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Chandra from Washington, DC is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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We're Almost There - Biology Labs Are a Must!

My students need lab materials - specifically dissection and DNA extraction kits - in order to have a hands-on approach to biology!

  • $489 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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My Students

The HS Class of 2006 graduated 147 students – less than half of the number of students that were enrolled at the beginning of the year. Of those 147 students, 27 enrolled in a 4-year college institution. Of those 27 students, only 5 were enrolled in college during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Inspiring students to learn is a daunting task – especially when students may feel like education is the least significant part of their life.

Therefore, student investment in content is of the highest importance. My students live and attend high school in Southeast DC, a region recognized for its high poverty and high crime rates. Although the area has a rich cultural background, access to high-quality education is still a major concern. Decisions that adults in the region have made affect children’s lives each and every day; over 95% of my students qualify for free or reduced lunch. With students coming from a community composed of 99% African-American individuals, the achievement gap is clearly present at our High School. In order to provide a similar education that my students’ high-income peers obtain, technology in the class to engage students is a must. Applicable labs would allow my students to engage biology first-hand!

My Project

Dissection and DNA extraction labs will drastically change the way my students view biology. In my own high school biology class years ago, I remember dissecting a pig and even extracting the DNA from my cheek. I remember being amazed how applicable biology was to everyday life. Yet, at our High School, a serious shortage of resources could hinder my students’ learning biology. Since biology can lend itself to rote memorization, engaging students with visuals and manipulatives is the best way to make biology interesting. In previous classes, I have used dissections to identify various organs and performed many labs on plant biology and students have been genuinely engaged. In order to successfully differentiate my learning for the kinesthetic learners in my class, I need lab materials. I would be doing my students a gross disservice if I could not provide them with exciting labs in my classroom!

This past year, an average of 65% of 10th grade students passed the DC CAS exam for Biology.

However at our High School, only 30% of students passed this exam. I believe that with increased visual aids through the use of applicable labs, my students will be able significantly improve! Yet, since the Math and English scores from the previous DC CAS exams were unsatisfactory, discretionary funding at our High School will not be available to me. In order to successfully differentiate my learning for the kinesthetic learners in my class, I need lab materials. I would be doing my students a gross disservice if I could not provide them with exciting labs in my classroom!

Mr. Chandra Ballou Senior High School Grades 9-12

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

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. Chandra

Washington, DC View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

90 students impacted 26donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Advanced Frog Dissection BioKit • Carolina Biological Supply Company $92.10 3 $276.30
Bacterial DNA Extraction Kit: Micrococcus luteus • Carolina Biological Supply Company $64.88 1 $64.88

Materials cost

$341.18

Vendor shipping charges

 $34.12

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.12

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$415.42

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$73.31

Total project goal

$488.73

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $488.73

23 Donors

-$488.73

Donations toward project cost

-$415.42

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$73.31

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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