A Good Science Project Begins with a Real Science Journal
My students need 120 quad-ruled composition books to help them plan, research, organize, record data (tables and graphs), and execute their science fair experiments.
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Connaghan's classroom raised $366
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.
My Students
Most students (and parents, for that matter) think that a science fair project is all about the pretty display. But a true experiment begins with a science journal - a place where students can write hypotheses, draft experimental procedures, record their data and observations, and draw conclusions.
I teach 8th grade science at a predominantly Latino middle school in an inner-city CA neighborhood where over 60% of the adults never finished high school, and almost 40% are living below the poverty line.
These financial and demographic constraints prevent many students from participating in educational experiences that many of us take for granted.
Oftentimes, middle school is their last chance to experience academically challenging activities that could broaden their horizons and inspire them to seek out higher goals. Our school strives to give our students as many opportunities as possible to explore scientific material and develop the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
My Project
The middle school years are often the first time for students to really explore scientific experimentation. However, their lack of prior science fair experience can put them in fear of that "pretty display board." By providing students with scientific journals in which to record their experiences, reflections, and observations, we can shift the focus away from the visual display and back to the scientific method, where it belongs.
Journals allow students to jot down their ideas, draft focus questions, record research on possible topics, develop hypotheses, plan out appropriate procedures, organize data tables, sketch observations, and write conclusions. By developing their journals step-by-step, students can truly experience the scientific method from start to finish, and, after all that work, they'll be much more excited to show off that work during the science fair!
By donating to this project, you will be putting the primary tool for scientific exploration into the hands of students.
It will help to make the critical-thinking and problem-solving strategies inherent in the scientific method part of their own personal growth and development.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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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 Mr. Connaghan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
