This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Have you ever sat in your class looking outside the window and wondered what was just beyond the glass? My students do too, and I want to bring science to life for them by using their natural curiosity about living things to help them discover broader science concepts.
My students are thirsty for knowledge about their world.
Like most children their age, they love learning about animals. They do not have the opportunity to play and explore outside like many children do, and their parents don't have the resources to provide outdoor experiences they need to satisfy their curiosity.
95.8% of the students attending our school live in poverty. Their parents work hard, and love their children. They support our school as much as they can. The children are well behaved, working hard despite all the challenges facing them.
Whenever we do hands on activities, the children get a sparkle in their eyes, interact with each other more positively, and as time passes so quickly they all cry "NO!" when it is time to stop. I am always amazed at how much more engaged they are during these activities.
My Project
The science tools in this kit will give my students the opportunity to engage in a year-long project that gets them outside, discovering nature around them. They will learn how different life forms share similar characteristics, and be able to identify what is needed to sustain life.
The students will work in cooperative groups as they observe plants and animals. They will each take turns doing the different tasks of a scientific research team, which will help them learn teamwork skills.
As they make their observations they will record their findings in an interactive Science Notebook. They will also become Citizen Scientists by posting their observations and photos to inaturalist.org, eBird.org, and Project Bud Burst. These sites collect personal observations of plants and animals, making them real scientists, with a real purpose.
Donations to this project will immerse my students into the life of a scientist.
In their short lives they have decided they are unimportant and have nothing to offer the world. Many of them have given up on having positive experiences by the time they enter my classroom. By giving them a real task that has importance to other scientists, they will discover they have agency and can positively impact the world, not only in their community, but in the world.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Darden and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.