The cost of science telescopes is $740, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
Every year the students in my 8th grade Earth Science class have been challenged to learn astronomy standards without really being able to experience it for themselves. I would like to change that for these kids, many of whom live in low-income housing projects in town where the wonder and beauty of our celestial view is difficult to appreciate with the naked eye. I would like to purchase 6 student-level telescopes that are relatively inexpensive, but also powerful enough to be able to view the craters of the moon, the rings around Saturn, and even Jupiter's Great Red Spot. Then, since school takes place during the day when the sun's light interfere's with astronomical viewing, allow students to check the telescopes out from me with their parents' permission for two to three days and take them home to view the skies. Of course, students will not be able to check out the telescopes until the class has been instructed on how to use a telescope and things to look for in the night sky, which will be accomplished with a classroom telescope that has computer software that integrates the telescope with a laptop and LCD project. To help protect the telescopes in transit, since many of these students must ride buses due to having no family transportation, I have chosen a telescope that is known for being rugged, durable, and comes with padded carrying cases for each one.
For right around $500, six student telescopes and one instructional telescope with instructional software would provide a wealth of opportunity and enrichment to students who may otherwise never have the chance to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. After all, looking at pictures and movies of the moon, planets and stars can be thrilling, but actually seeing it for yourself can be absolutely breathtaking. I want to give these students, and my students in the years to come, the chance to do this.
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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 Mrs. Griffin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.