"I am training the scientists of tomorrow. My passion for science is contagious, and I want students to learn science by doing science. I teach high school biology in Colorado. About 20% of my students are on free and reduced lunch, and even though poverty in the area has been rising, our school's...
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"I am training the scientists of tomorrow. My passion for science is contagious, and I want students to learn science by doing science. I teach high school biology in Colorado. About 20% of my students are on free and reduced lunch, and even though poverty in the area has been rising, our school's rating has been increasing, too! One special thing about my school is that it is 40% minority students, and the composition of our school closely mirrors that of the U.S. on the last census. I teach students at all levels in biology, from students with individualized education plans to advanced students in AP Biology.
I don't have the money to purchase new science equipment. Like most schools, big budget cuts forced bigger classes and cuts in funding for all programs. I do know that my students are always interested in "real" science, and giving them the opportunity to practice science to learn science is the most effective teaching strategy. I want to offer all students the chance to conduct DNA fingerprinting, rather than just reading about it in books. This is the golden age of biology, and technology is advancing fast. How great it would be if my students could keep pace!
Luckily, DNA technology has come down in cost drastically in the last 10 years, so I can offer my students the chance to actually conduct a DNA fingerprinting and analyze the DNA using gel electrophoresis. The materials I need to do this will help students learn science by doing science. I will need a class set of materials for students to work in pairs. I will need one micropipet, that students will share. I require one classroom kit for DNA fingerprinting, which contains enough materials for students to perform a restriction digest on DNA samples. I will use gel chambers that I already have in class to visualize student results.
You will make it possible for my students to become excited about science. The best way to keep American strong in the future is by training the best scientists and most scientifically literate citizens. The United States lags behind almost every industrialized nation in science achievement, probably because our students are forced to learn "everything" in science--a curriculum that is a mile wide and an inch deep. I want to take the focus off depth and allow students the chance to learn about DNA technology in depth. Getting students excited about science is my goal, and once I grab their attention, I can teach them the nature of science.
My students need 4 DNA resources, including an electrophoresis simulator, micropipettes and a "Whose DNA Was Left Behind" kit.
See Ms. E.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Jan 14, 2010
Dear Deborah, Nicki, Joel, Jean, Stephanie, Meera, Amanda, KJ, Daisie Huang, Jennifer, Bridget and M. Giant and M. Edium,
Thank you so much for contributing to my science classroom. Your generosity made it possible for me to purchase materials for over 150 biology students and implement engaging genetics activities in class.
Thanks to your contributions, my freshmen biology students have their first opportunity to work with DNA and use "real" science tools like micropipettes for biotechnology work. The response was incredible. Students were engaged and felt like they were doing real science. Many of them were excited to come to class, to do their homework, and to be part of classroom discussions for the first time this year.
I was also able to implement biotechnology labs involving DNA technology in my Advanced Placement biology classes. These students were similarly thrilled to be taking part in real laboratory procedures.
Especially during a time of budget cuts and bigger classes, your contributions have helped out tremendously. Students are excited about science and about learning. Thank you again.
Ms. E. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 28, 2009
Dear Deborah, Nicki, Joel, Jean, Stephanie, Meera, Amanda, KJ, Daisie Huang, Jennifer, Bridget and M. Giant and M. Edium,
Thank you so much for funding my project for real biology learning in the biology classroom. It is great to see that you share my enthusiasm for educating the scientists of tomorrow, and exciting students about science.
Because of your donations, I will be able to conduct several hands-on, minds-on experiments with DNA technology in both my AP Biology classes as well as biology classes for ninth grade students. Your generous contributions will allow me to reach more than 150 students this year, in addition to the ability for me to use this equipment in classes in the future.
I will also share my exciting new lessons with my colleagues. Thanks again so much for your help! I look forward to great learning in science, Ms. E
"Thanks so much! My students will really benefit!"
The teacher Ms. E.
on Oct 27, 2009
"I majored in molecular biology, and I'm convinced that what set me on that path was the awesome lab project in high school freshman bio class where we ran an gel. I think it's really important these days to get kids interested in science and to teach them how to think critically about how the world works."
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Melissa M. (volunteer)
on Aug 16, 2009
