Classroom Project

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The foundation for my instructional approach is the constr... MORE

The foundation for my instructional approach is the constructivist model of learning, with the teacher as a facilitator and metacognitive coach, not a final authority. I try to incorporate inquiry-based, hands-on, cooperative learning activities as much as possible; however, these often require materials and supplies that we don't yet have at our disposal.

When possible, I borrow materials from former colleagues at the local university. In this case, the thermometers come from a lab on one end of campus and the beakers from the other end. It is inconvenient to pick up and drop off the materials; in fact, a box of 1000 mL glass beakers has been in the back of my car for a week now. I worry about students (and the teacher!) breaking glassware during use and/or transport. Finally, it is possible that my once helpful colleagues will tire of my incessant requests and lock me out of their laboratories!

My Chemistry students need 12 spirit-filled thermometers to use with student-constructed polystyrene calorimeters for laboratory investigation of thermodynamics. The calorimeters were specifically designed for the type of thermometer I borrow.

My students also need six 1000-mL beakers to make hot and cold water baths for Erlenmeyer flasks during laboratory investigation of the gas laws. Finally, the six 10 mL beakers are needed for distributing small amounts of liquids to lab groups in a variety of experiments throughout the curriculum.

Your assistance will allow my students to continue performing experiments critical to the standard course of study for Chemistry. The thermometers are necessary to measure temperature changes associated with phase changes, investigate endothermic and exothermic reactions, and understand enthalpy. The 1000 mL beakers are critical to investigating the effect of temperature on pressure and volume of gases. These large beakers are also ideal for a variety of demonstrations (e.g., density, isostasy) in my Earth Science class. The 10 mL beakers are useful for measuring and distributing small amounts of liquids needed for numerous labs in both Earth Science and Chemistry.

Your assistance will allow me to quit borrowing these items and risking breakage. I will also have more time available for planning and grading. Furthermore, you will reduce my risk of receiving parking tickets from the university police. HIDE