This teacher needs your help!

Dr. Jessica Varko from Encino, CA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Dr. Jessica Varko's classroom raised $646

Magnifique! Microscope Lab, Part 2

My students need basic microscopes for small group learning, and a digital microscope so that the entire class can view a slide on a larger screen.

Dr. Jessica Varko Lanai Rd Elementary School

Encino, CA Grades 3-5

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.

My Students

Science is being integrated throughout the Lanai curriculum -- but we don't have microscopes! Science terms are included in vocabulary/spelling lists, 4th graders are planting mission gardens, etc. Establishing a microscope station is the next logical step in bringing science learning into focus.

Our Southern California school is a K-5 elementary serving approximately 500 students.

Our challenge is to help our students master the core curriculum and also provide them with a well-rounded educational experience, despite the budget cuts that have ravaged our public school system. We are fortunate enough to have a free-standing science lab and school garden, a recycling program, solar-powered hand-washing station, a chicken named Flame, and a FT science teacher. Each class visits the science lab at least once per week. 5th grade students can even choose a science elective. We hope that by promoting science learning at a young age, our students will develop the necessary skills and understanding to navigate their increasingly complex technological world with ease.

My Project

Microscopes will help kinder students observe details of everyday objects they otherwise wouldn't see. A digital image projected on a screen will be especially helpful for students in the younger grades who might find using a microscope challenging. First graders will use microscopes to observe plant structures and details of animal habitats. Second graders will study the different stages of insects and plant life cycles; microscopes will also help them study rocks and how they are formed. Third graders, who study plant & animal structures and how these have adapted to help these species survive, will use microscopes to view & compare the different structures more accurately. Fourth graders will look at microorganisms -- especially ones that are alive & active, such as brine shrimp & plankton. Fifth graders will examine cells and also explore the mixtures of substances to learn about what products are made when they are mixed. Microscopes will benefit each & every student.

Establishing a microscope station at our school -- complete with digital microscope -- will provide a learning experience that many elementary school students are not able to receive.

We hope that our students will be interested by the hands-on aspect of a microscope station, and that it truly will open up new aspects of the world to them. Thank you for considering this project.

500 students impacted 22 donors

Project tagged as

Dr. Jessica Varko Lanai Rd Elementary School Grades 3-5 Encino, CA View local requests 500 students impacted 22donors

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Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Motic DM52 Digital Microscope • Carolina Biological Supply Company $350.55 1 $350.55

My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope • Carolina Biological Supply Company $75.52 1 $75.52

Materials cost			$426.07
Vendor shipping charges			$42.61
Sales tax			$38.99
3rd party payment processing fee			$6.39
Fulfillment labor & materials			$35.00
Total project cost			$549.06
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$96.89
Total project goal			$645.95
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$645.95
19 Donors			-$304.12
Donations toward project cost			-$259.25
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$44.87
match offer			-$340.95
Match offer toward project cost			-$289.81
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$51.14
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$0.88
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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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 Dr. Jessica Varko and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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This teacher needs your help!

Magnifique! Microscope Lab, Part 2

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.