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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Foisy from Nyack, NY is requesting other through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Foisy is requesting

A Hair Raising Lesson in Electricity

My students need a Van de Graaf generator.

  • $683 goal

This project expired on July 4, 2010.

This project expired on July 4, 2010.

Classroom photo
Ms. Foisy Nyack High School
Nyack, NY Grades 9-12

I teach physics to grades 11 and 12 in a public school located in a small town outside of a major city. The population encompasses a wide range of income levels and cultures.

Due to budget cuts over the last few years, replacement of old and damaged equipment has not been possible. One piece of equipment that 'sparks' students' interest is the Van de Graaf generator - that giant orb that is pictured in so many physics textbooks; always with a child standing next to it with a hand resting on top of the orb, and hair spiked out in a halo. Our students always look forward to the Van de Graaf demonstration. For the past several years, we've tried a variety of tricks to try to bring life back to our old Van de Graaf generator: We've taken it apart every year, tightened screws, adjusted the parts, and replaced the belt. All with limited success.

We need a new Van de Graaf generator for our school. This machine will serve not just my students, but all the physics students in our school. A new Van de Graaf will enable the students to "feel" electrostatics - a process which is especially important for those tactile learners. Students will experience what it feels like to have a higher electric potential than their surroundings - and will feel what happens when an object (themselves) at a high potential is brought in contact with an object (such as an uncharged student) of low potential. We will also be able to use the Van de Graaf for a variety of demonstrations.

Your help will enable the next generation of physics students at our school to experience static electricity in a way that cannot be learned from reading a book or watching a video demonstration. Your help will allow our students to participate in science as they learn the concepts behind it.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Half of students from low‑income households

Never Before Funded 100 students impacted
Ms. Foisy Nyack High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nyack, NY View local requests

Half 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

Never Before Funded 100 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
400 KV Van de Graaf Electrostatic Generator • Nasco $493.75 1 $493.75

Materials cost

$493.75

Vendor shipping charges

 $49.38

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.41

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$559.54

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$122.83

Total project goal

$682.37

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

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Foisy and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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