Answering the Why Do We Have to Learn Chemistry? Dilemma

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

I'm a high school science teacher. I teach AP chemistry, chemistry and integrated physics and chemistry. I teach grades 9-12 since I teach three different classes. The school that I work at is located in a border city in Texas and it is a Title I school. We have a large population of low income minority students.

We have a population of about 3000 students and we are always lacking in funds. We have many students who are still living in Mexico but are coming to our school to get a good education in this country. Due to our location and other factors, many students have difficulty with the English language. Texas requires that students pass the TAKS test in order to receive their high school diploma. Our students that don't graduate because of this test are usually our English language learners. One way that we can help these students become more familiar with the English language is to read more. I also have difficulty getting students interested in science. Most students come into the science classroom with the idea that they are bad at science. It's frustrating because they come in with a negative attitude and it's hard to show them WHY science is important and how it relates to them.

I would like to incorporate reading in my classes. I found a great textbook that can be used with my chemistry classes. It relates science in the "real world" to the topics covered in class. I think that reading will help my students become more fluent with the English language and it will help to relate science to students' everyday lives. We cannot afford to purchase a classroom set of "A Short History of Nearly Everything Bill Bryson."

Please help me make this project become a reality. You can make a difference for our students. By donating these books, you will help to ensure that students gain an appreciation for science. You'll also help our students by giving them an opportunity to become more fluent with the English language and in turn graduate from high school. Thank you for your support.