Help me give my students STEM-inspired items to sketch in sketchbooks, like ammonites, stretchy skeletons, feathers, owl pellets, fossil shark teeth, and insects.
My 7th grade students are a diverse group, representing a variety of socioeconomic levels, academic ability levels, nationalities, and more. We are a full-inclusion school, so I teach all students, including those with special needs, gifted, and English learners.
All of my students receive a rigorous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and humanities education, along with a wide variety of engaging and relevant elective courses.
Following STEM principles, we have developed activity-based science courses in which students are guided through the topics while acquiring skills in experimentation, measuring, and lab techniques.
I believe science class should be fun, relevant, and engaging. I want students to love science so much that they choose to study it in high school and college.
My Project
Maria Montessori said “We cannot create observers by saying, ‘observe,’ but by giving them the power and the means for this observation and those means are procured through education of the senses.” My students need to start practicing and refining their observation skills. Drawings don't have to be perfect, but the more they try to draw what they observe, the more details they will actually notice. And their observation skills will get better with time and repeated use of their sketchbooks.
My classes can't easily go out to collect fossils, feathers, or insect varieties.
This project will bring amazing nature right to our classroom! Along with having their own sketchbook and measuring tape, students will love investigating and sketching insects, owl pellets, fossils like shark teeth and ammonites, real bird feathers, and stretchy skeletons to compare/contrast to real skeletons. The variety of insects, from butterflies and fruit flies to termites and bess beetles will allow an in-depth comparison of anatomy. They will be so engaged in their learning through STEM!
I was inspired by an IF/THEN project called "Budding Ecologists Need a Drone and Hydroponics System." Just like in the "Curiosity Camp Nature Journal," my students will use their scientific sketchbook to record their observations in sketches and notes. The more they use them, the better their observation skills will be. I plan to use the video about Sam Wynns because I think my students will be inspired by her love of nature after growing up in Yellowstone National Park. I also look forward to using the "Curiosity Camp Activity Sheet: Nature Journal" to help get my students started with their sketchbooks and as an excellent reference as we continue our sketches.
Half of 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
7 Packs Unlined Spiral Notebooks, 8.2 x 5.5" Blank Page Journal Drawing Sketch Book Small, Brown Kraft Cover, 100gsm Cream White Inner Paper
• Amazon Business
$15.99
11
$175.89
Justinstones 10pcs Side Drilled Natural Ammonite Fossil Loose Gemstone Beads
• Amazon Business
$17.09
5
$85.45
Premium Barn Owl Pellets, Small: 1.25"-1.5" (Pack of 20) - Free Bone Identification Chart, Forceps, Paddle Picks, and Teaching Guide Included!
• Amazon Business
$38.99
2
$77.98
Butterflies in the Classroom Kit Refill
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$48.82
1
$48.82
STC Living Shipment: Bess Beetle, Pack of 8
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$34.65
1
$34.65
Termite Behavioral Investigation: Follow That Trail! Demonstration Kit
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$26.86
1
$26.86
Real Shark Teeth Fossils Set, Authentic Mixed Grade (1 lb, 3 Species Types)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
WOWBugs, Melittobia digitata, Living, Culture of 50-100
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$18.58
1
$18.58
Drosophila Set, wild type and apterous, Living
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$16.47
1
$16.47
WIN TAPE 1 Meter 40" Paper Tape Measure, Wound Measuring Rulers, Educare Used Measuring Babies Head, Disposable Pack of 100
• Amazon Business
$15.98
1
$15.98
Sumind 72 Pieces Stretchy Skeletons Toys Halloween Party Favors with 6 Glitter Colors for Goodie Bags, Pinata Filler, Small Toys Classroom Prizes
• Amazon Business
$15.00
1
$15.00
Drosophila, Living, Wrinkled, Chromosome 3 Mutant, Vial of 2530
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$8.23
1
$8.23
Drosophila, Living, ebony, Chromosome 3 Mutant, Vial of 2530
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$8.23
1
$8.23
Drosophila, Living, vestigial(2); sepia(3), Multichromosomal Mutant, Vial of 2530
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$8.23
1
$8.23
Coceca 300pcs Assorted Chicken Feathers for Various Crafts, Birthday Parties, Wedding and Party Dress-ups
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Materials cost
$568.35
Vendor shipping charges
$47.90
Sales tax
$52.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$8.53
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$706.78
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$124.73
Total project goal
$831.51
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$831.51
6 Donors
-$269.52
Donations toward project cost
-$248.59
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$20.93
match offer
-$539.05
Match offer toward project cost
-$458.19
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 Mrs. Kirshen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
