We're Growing: Environmental Experiences with STEM
My students need terrariums, soil, pH test strips, and fertilizer in order to grow native plants and to experiment with hydroponics.
$384 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
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.
This year we are enthusiastic scientists who are practicing observing the natural world around us. We are studying earth and life sciences by exploring, observing, recording, experimenting, and drawing conclusions on our topics.
We are an urban elementary school with a high population of students on free and reduced lunch.
We also have many students who are new immigrants. Many of my students have not had experience with gardens or growing things in their homes. We have students that live in trailers and apartments so they don't have yards of their own. They often haven't explored the natural parts of Utah and don't have any experience with desert or wetland plants beyond what they have seen on television. My students are eager scientists who love to explore science concepts by experimenting and touching artifacts. Many of then are English Language Learners who need real experiences with objects to develop, practice, and maintain the necessary scientific vocabulary they need to be successful. We are focusing on leadership this year and this project would be a wonderful opportunity for the students to take ownership of their own terrariums and plants.
My Project
In 4th grade science, we study soils and plants of Utah. We will use the terrariums and soil to grow native Utah plants in our classroom. They can observe characteristics of desert plants (hairs, waxy surface, silver color, skinny leaves, etc.) with their plants. We will use the forceps, pH strips, and scales to explore the components of soil. We can measure the amount of water in our soil samples from the terrariums and our community by using the scale. Students will also identify and sort particles of minerals and decaying matter with forceps. We will also experiment with hydroponics by growing plants without soil. The compost container will allow us to observe how soil becomes richer and nutrients are added to the soil. We can also use it to compare different soil samples and how well they absorb water.
My students love to learn about the natural world around them by experiencing it.
As their teacher, I do my best to provide them with authentic scientific experiences like field trips and labs. These materials will allow us to improve the atmosphere of our classroom and offer authentic experiences with plants and soil. Utah has many agricultural career options so this will be a great way to introduce them to something they may feel very passionate about.
Smart Weigh Digital Pro Pocket Scale with Back-Lit LCD Display, Tare, Hold and PCS Features 500 x 0.01g (2 Lids Included)
• Amazon Business
$19.75
4
$79.00
Dissecting Forceps, Medium Points, Stainless Steel, Straight, 4 1/2 in
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$2.02
30
$60.60
CONTAINER COMPOST 3 COMPARTMENT CLEAR
• School Specialty
$28.39
1
$28.39
Clear-View Plastic Aquarium/Terrarium, Medium
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$8.32
3
$24.96
General Hydroponics GH1514 Ph Control Kit
• Amazon Business
$16.21
1
$16.21
Miracle-Gro 1001502 All Purpose Liquid Plant Food Concentrate, 32-Ounce (Plant Fertilizer)
• Amazon Business
$15.52
1
$15.52
Black Gold 1390802 2-Quart Charcoal Soil
• Amazon Business
$12.58
1
$12.58
Exotic PMS0510 Polished Gravel, Mixed, 5 Pounds, 3/8-Inch (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
• Amazon Business
$12.02
1
$12.02
Black Gold 1310102 8-Quart All Purpose Potting Soil With Control
• Amazon Business
$10.91
1
$10.91
pH Test Strips (100 count, range 0-14) - Universal - Pool Spa Aquarium Well & City Water - Herb Garden Plant Soil - Maintain a Healthy Alkaline Body - Urine Saliva - Fast Easy Accurate Results - Litmus w/ Expiration Date - Quality Guarantee - Instructional/Informational PDF-Free!
• Amazon Business
$9.95
1
$9.95
AcuRite 00613A1 Indoor Humidity Monitor
• Amazon Business
$9.85
1
$9.85
Materials cost
$279.99
Vendor shipping charges
$11.40
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.20
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$325.59
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$57.46
Total project goal
$383.05
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$383.05
6 Donors
-$183.34
Donations toward project cost
-$162.79
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$20.55
match offer
-$191.53
Match offer toward project cost
-$162.80
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Ford and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.