I am the Science lab teacher at a K-8 public school in a large urban area in Illinois. The neighborhood is mostly low income, poverty level with 98% of our student population receiving free breakfast and lunch. In the science lab students are exposed to the scientific method and hands-on inquiry. We integrate science into the rest of the curriculum, especially math, to show our children how their learning is interconnected.
In the math curriculum students learn to read a thermometer, and then test that ability in the science lab when they experiment with heat and cold. Little by little we are gaining technology in our classrooms, and the children now are familiar with calculators, computers, digital recorders and even a few Smart boards. However, in the science lab we have alcohol filled thermometers with very very small numbers and even smaller lines to mark the increments between degrees. For some children reading the small temperature is difficult and they often just take a guess or round off the answer. When we are looking at the change in temperature of only 3 or 4 degrees this can skew their data and make the experiment much less meaningful. For the older children we often talk about having to factor in human error in data collection. To address this we purchased 3 Lab Quest devices and some laptops that can use digital thermometers but we don't haven enough for everyone and getting all this technology, with cords and battery chargers, and then deciding who gets to use the technology this lab period, is often not feasible. And if something spills, oh boy!
If we had digital thermometers, with LED readouts, the children could operate them themselves, and concentrate on the data, knowing it is accurate and reliable. The numbers would be large enough to read easily. The data could be relied on, and substantial reasonable assumptions based on data that the children know they collected themselves and is correct, would be the norm. The science lessons focus on learning from the data, and these thermometers would increase student participation and interest.
Your help in providing us with these thermometers would improve the education of these less fortunate children who are working to improve their lives. We want to prepare our 7th and 8th graders to compete with students from every walk of life. The more they interact with modern technology the better prepared they will be. Thanks.
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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