You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Merlino from Daly City, CA is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Merlino is requesting

Aeroponic Tree of Life

Help me give my students aeroponic systems to grow vegetables at our school

  • $762 goal

This project expired on August 24, 2025.

This project expired on August 24, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate 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 Project

These resources for this project include aeroponic growing systems for our middle school to support hands-on, sustainable science education aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS).

This system will allow students to explore core concepts in life sciences, ecosystems, and earth science through real-world application.

Aeroponics uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming, aligning with California’s environmental goals and teaching students about resource conservation. Students will design experiments, monitor plant growth, and analyze data, fostering scientific inquiry and critical thinking.

The system also integrates cross-disciplinary learning, connecting science with technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through this project, students gain a deeper understanding of food systems, climate change, and sustainability, preparing them for future green careers. This living lab will inspire environmental stewardship while meeting California NGSS performance expectations in a meaningful and engaging way.

Mr. Merlino Benjamin Franklin Intermediate School Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Daly City, CA View local requests

More than 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

500 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mr. Merlino is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
TIRUSS Vertical Hydroponic Grow Tower Aeroponic Tower for Herbs, Fruits and Vegetables 15 Layer 45 Plants Sites with Movable Water Tank Hydrating Pump, Timer, Adapter (45 pots) • Amazon Business $186.00 3 $558.00

Materials cost

$558.00

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $51.06

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.37

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$647.43

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$114.25

Total project goal

$761.68

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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 Mr. Merlino and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"CA","teacherPossessivePronoun":"his","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":4,"name":"High School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":762,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/aeroponic-tree-of-life/9280747/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":500,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Mr. Merlino","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"316522302","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Daly City","teachersOnPage":[168040],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9280747,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":2,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":4525,"schoolName":"Benjamin Franklin Intermediate School","authorIds":{"168040":{"owner":"Mr. Merlino","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9280747],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp168040_orig.jpg?crop=400,400,x200,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1598128423264","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":33647,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":{"completingDonationAmount":322,"proposalURL":"project/exploring-the-microscopic-world/9966843/","proposalTitle":"Exploring the Microscopic World","proposalId":9966843},"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":168040,"schoolCounty":"San Mateo","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"CA","name":"California"}}