My students need access to 2 new microscopes and a variety of prepared slides in the science lab. Currently our school does not have any microscopes; these would be used by about 120 fifth graders.
Have you experienced the magic of looking through a microscope? My students have not. At the end of the school year, my fifth graders take a standardized science test. I need to make science come alive for my students. Microscopes are a step in the right direction.
I work in a Title 1 city school.
I teach an inclusion classroom, and have students with a wide range of talents and disabilities. I also teach English Language Learners (ELL). It is not unusual to have two to three languages spoken in my classroom. Our school received a C for our school grade, and one area that we need to make progress is in our fifth grade science scores. We have a makeshift science lab, and our school lacks equipment necessary for exciting scientific experimentation to occur. My students with special needs, my ELL's, and my academically gifted students would all benefit from using a microscope. In addition to my class, these microscopes would be used by 6 other fifth grade classrooms.
My Project
Currently, if my students want to look at the parts of a plant or animal cell they have to rely on a picture in a book. If they want to examine a part of a plant they have to use a plastic hand lens. Giving them the opportunity to look through a microscope will excite and engage my students. Instead of labeling a xerox copy of a cell, my students would see with their own eyes the parts of the cell. They could then sketch their own drawings, and the study of plant and animal cells goes from dull and boring to thrilling and exciting. As our world becomes more technical, my students need to be excited about science.
Our fifth grade science lab has a very limited budget.
Our school can not afford to spend money on microscopes. Having two microscopes in the science lab will create many exciting learning opportunities for our entire fifth grade. Viewing cells or invertebrates through the lens of a microscope will inspire my students to be good scientists. The majority of the students in my classroom have never even seen a microscope, and it is important they have this life enriching experience.
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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. Rudd and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.