My students need a document camera both to get up close and personal with rocks and minerals but so they can display their lab results to the rest of the class.
Did you know that rocks tell stories? In geology every crystal and every speck tells the story of the Earth. What if you could see those tiny specks on a huge screen? A document camera is able to show the tiny rock on the screen so the kids can see its story.
My students attend one of the oldest middle schools in a semi-rural town in Arizona.
Even though we have a major city close by, most of my students have never gone there. My students face numerous challenges on a daily basis; many come from lower income homes that are struggling to get by, let alone worry about education. My job is to inspire kids to become scientists, to dream big, and that with an education there is nothing they can't do. My greatest joy is to talk to a kid who didn't like science before tell me how much he loves it now, and that they are now starting to expand on experiments we've done in class at home.
My Project
A document camera will allow my students to see the details on the tiny rock specimens I have. The camera will combine with my SMART board (think touchscreen) so they can circle and identify the minerals, layers, and crystals present in the rocks. The students can also use it to create a movie explaining the rock's story. When the students are working in the lab, the experiment can be shown to the entire class.
Students have a difficult time connecting with science.
Rocks are great way to connect with the kids; after all, we have rocks in our backyard. A document camera will allow the students to look at their rock on the big screen, and see the intricacies of geology. I have over 200 students this year alone that the document camera can inspire, whether with rock and geology or cool chemistry demos.
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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 Mrs. Baker and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
