"As one of only two NASA Explorer Schools in Washington, our students are uniquely engaged and excited about the exploration of NASA's Mission of "Earth, Moon, Mars, and Beyond." I teach Science and an elective Aerospace course at a rural middle school that serves students in grades 6-8. Our school ...
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"As one of only two NASA Explorer Schools in Washington, our students are uniquely engaged and excited about the exploration of NASA's Mission of "Earth, Moon, Mars, and Beyond." I teach Science and an elective Aerospace course at a rural middle school that serves students in grades 6-8. Our school district has faced major budget cuts this past year. Although our district is committed to math and science excellence and to the NASA Explorer School program, science funding is a major issue. Students excel when they are engaged in hands-on activities as opposed to paper and pencil work. Understanding the structure of our sun and its processes is a difficult concept for students (and adults). Students need to work with hands-on activities in order to fully comprehend these factors. In addition, once they fully understand the structure and processes that govern our own sun, they can hypothesize as to the processes and composition of other stars. As a NASA Explorer School, we have the perfect avenue in which to engage students in math, engineering, and science. Students are naturally inquisitive about space science and tapping into this curiosity will capitalize on a middle school student's natural curiosity.
The two SunSpotter Telescopes and reference books provide a multifaceted approach to learning! Students will be able to safely observe our very own star--The sun! They can study motion, diagram sunspots, observe solar flares and prominences, and pose questions about solar phenomena.
Students can also use their new knowledge to extend their understanding to other stars. You can help to fund a project that will tap into natural curiosity and empower students to reach above and beyond! Our NASA Explorer School mission of "Earth, Moon, Mars, and Beyond" aligns with high-level critical thinking and application skills that are embedded in this project. Students will achieve a new level of understanding and application as they become the next generation of explorers.
My students need 2 SunSpotter Telescopes and 3 solar reference books.
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Mrs. B. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Oct 21, 2009
Dear Anthony, Julianne, Michael, Allie, Alane, Claudia, Victoria, Katie, Margaret, Stephanie, Sarah, Jessica, Lydia, Kris, Kerry, Lindsay Morahn, Jael, Carol, Robin, Madeline, Suzanne, Johnny, Natalie, Jeni, M. Giant and M. Edium, Vanessa, CJ, Carena, charmaine, Karen, Amie and Anonymous Donors,
Thank you so much for your generosity! I am so thrilled that this project has been funded. My students are looking forward to our journey into astronomy!! The sunspotters will provide a means to investigate our sun in a safe and exciting manner. As many of you noted, hands-on activities are so important for middle school science students. Thank you again for your incredible support of middle school science. We will begin our investigation of our own star after the first of the year. Students will be noting physical features, investigating solar processes, and hypothesizing about other stars. We are very grateful for this opportunity! With gratitude,
Mrs. B.
Photos coming soon!
Region:
Washington
Where is the classroom located? 
Submitted:
Aug 16, 2009
| Expires:
Jan 22, 2010
Additional Details
Level:
Grades 6-8
Teacher's funded projects:
17
Thank-you punctuality:
100%
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Julia M. (volunteer)
on Aug 17, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.
Scott C. (associate)
on Aug 18, 2009
"I hope your students get to do this great project."
A donor
gave
on Aug 19, 2009
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Applied Sciences education."
A donor
gave
on Aug 19, 2009
"Thank you very much for the generous donation. My students will be very excited to begin exploring the sun!"
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Aug 19, 2009
Carol
from Albuquerque, NM
gave
on Oct 3, 2009
"Thank you very much! We can't wait to start using the sunspotters."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 4, 2009
"An elective Aerospace course for 6th-8th graders? Awesome!"
"Thank you!! The kids really enjoy the elective Aerospace. They are an amazing group."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 8, 2009
"I gave to this project because science rocks!"
"Thank you so much. We think Science Rocks too. Thank you for believing in science education."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 9, 2009
"I gave to this project because I've been a space nut since I was 6 and I love the awe people feel when they see all the amazing things that are out there."
"I helped because sometimes kids need a little boost to reach for the stars."
"A Tomato Nation Donation! Space for everyone, in all its senses."
"Great Project. Best wishes to you and your students!"
"I donated because I think that encouraging kids to study science, and giving them the tools and resources to engage their curiosity, is one of the most important things that we can do academically."
"I'm an engineer now because of my interest in science as a kid. Science is amazing and fun and fascinating. Have fun learning about astronomy!"
"I helped because I've always loved looking at the stars. Good luck!!!"
"The more we can do to promote science education, the better. This sounds like an exciting and fun project!"
"I gave to this project because my husband is a space nut and has really inspired our daughter. I'd like to see other kids get the same opportunity."
"Thank you for all of the inspirational comments and donations. We (my students and I) are so grateful and excited that science education is important to so many."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 13, 2009
"I donated because I got a gift card for my 5th birthday and I love science. "
M. Giant and M. Edium
from Minneapolis, MN
gave
in support of Bet Red: Tomato Nation Contest '09
on Oct 13, 2009
"I gave to this project because I loved reading about astronomy when I was in middle school, but we didn't get to study it in school!"
Madeline
from Atlanta, GA
on Oct 13, 2009
"Wow! I am thrilled--there are so many people who love astronomy!! It is especially touching to read the notes from all over the country."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 13, 2009
"This project sounds awesome."
"Good luck! I'm a bookseller by trade and a dreamer/stargazer at heart. Keep up the good work! Teachers who inspire are the unsung heros of public education. I love what you are doing! "
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Applied Sciences education."
"I'm donating to this project thanks to the efforts of the Tomato Nation drive, and a certain young man named M. Edium (of the M. Giant clan) who helped point the way. Yes, you helped do this :-) "
"My students are watching the progress of our grant with much anticipation. We are so pleased to see so many people involved! Thank you for believing in science education."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 14, 2009
"I gave to this project because I think children deserve the best education, regardless of their resources."
"I helped because I'm a strong believer in Applied Sciences education."
"Good luck with your awesome project! "
"Thank you everyone! These sunspotters will allow my students to do so much! They will observe solar processes AND will make predictions about other stars."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 14, 2009
"I donated because a) I support science education and b) the school is my state and I want to support locally."
"Aim for the sky, and even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. Best of luck! "
"I donated because M. Edium brought this fun project to my attention."
"Science is the best way to learn about and understand the world around you."
"We donated because M. Edium (age 5) really wants to see this project funded."
M. Giant and M. Edium
from Minneapolis, MN
gave
in support of Bet Red: Tomato Nation Contest '09
on Oct 19, 2009
"Wow! The support keeps coming. This is really wonderful to see how many people, of all ages and backgrounds, think that astronomy and science are so important for middle school students. We can't wait to start! Thank you."
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 19, 2009
Anthony
from Forest Hills, NY
gave
on Oct 20, 2009
Stephanie
from Gladstone, OR
gave
on Oct 20, 2009
"This is so exciting! We are so close. Thank you very much to all of the supporters across the country. We can't wait!"
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 20, 2009
"In honor of M.edium, M. Giant and Trash. Bet Red in 2009! "
"I donated because the project will bring important learning opportunities to the classroom."
"I gave to this project because as a chemist, I think science in school is important. Not to mention awesome. :)"
"Bet Red! Also, who wouldn't want to help kids reach for the stars...."
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Oct 20, 2009
The teacher Mrs. B.
on Oct 21, 2009
Purchased the supplies for Mrs. B.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.
Jenni D. (staff member)
on Oct 21, 2009
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