Bringing Life Science to Life! Hands-On Materials for NGSS Science
Help me give my students a variety of materials to make life science hands-on and interactive by helping provide materials for them to directly investigate science phenomena while also accessing resources with texts and a classroom Google Chromebook.
I am the lucky teacher of a big group of high school science students this year. I teach three classes of 9th grade biology students who are taking a required introductory course at our high school. Many of them might not list science as their favorite subject, but I hope to change that! I also teach two classes of physiology, full of juniors and seniors choosing to learn about the human body in an elective science class.
It's early in the year and I can already tell that my students are motivated to succeed, and as their teacher I want to help foster their interest in the sciences by providing them engaging, meaningful, hands-on activities regularly.
Science is so much more than learning from the textbook, and by including collaborative, investigative, hands-on activities, I can promote their critical thinking and problem solving skills. As our state and district move towards the new NGSS science standards, my lessons consist of an increasingly inquiry-based and lab-based approach, which my students say is what they love about science class. These materials/resources often go above and beyond what the science budget allows, and they bring value and relevance while encouraging collaboration & critical thinking.
My Project
My project is a collection of seemingly varied materials, all of which are aimed at truly bringing life science to life. With the funding of this project, my biology students will be able to investigate the carbon cycle, photosynthesis, and closed ecosystems by building living ecosystems in mason jars and utilizing a UV grow light. Both biology and physiology classes will use dissecting trays and gloves to dissect specimens, including cow eyes, frogs, and sheep brains. My physiology students will be able to "walk through" the human heart, using the larger than life heart that traces the path of blood cells through the chambers and vessels.
Students gain meaningful experiences and are the most engaged when they participate in hands-on, interactive activities, and these materials will bring these experiences to my students throughout the school year.
Many of the materials are intended to be re-used in many different units. For example, the pipe cleaners, craft sticks, colored pencils and card stock are all intended to be used to help students create models of abstract concepts such as chromosomes and molecular processes. The chalk markers allow students to make their thinking visible in collaborative groups, by writing and organizing their thoughts directly on lab tables (no need for white boards!). The "How the Body Works" class set of books will allow my physiology students to investigate new concepts about the human body with straightforward information at their level. This text would be a visual, supplemental material that gives students more access to relevant information, which is especially helpful for my visual learners. Additionally, the Chromebook will be utilized to help ensure equitable access to resources as a backup in class for unprepared students. All of these resources will help make both classes more hands-on, student centered, and interactive all year long.
ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02 11.6" Ruggedized and Water Resistant Design with 180 Degree (Intel Celeron 4 GB, 16GB eMMC, Dark Blue, Silver)
• Amazon Business
$224.59
1
$224.59
How the Body Works: The Facts Simply Explained (How Things Work)
• Amazon Business
$12.21
15
$183.15
KIT HUMAN HEART WALK-THRU
• Ward's Science
$40.38
3
$121.14
Dissecting Pan, Aluminum, 7 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 1 1/2 in
• Carolina Biological Supply Company
$6.70
10
$67.00
Liquid Chalk Markers 30 Colors By Positive Art: Bright Colors, Painting and Drawing For Kids and Adults, Window and Board Art For Bistros, Bars and Stores, Easy To Wipe and Use, Reversible Tip
• Amazon Business
$20.49
3
$61.47
MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves, Medium, Box/100
• Amazon Business
12 Ball Mason Jar with Lid - Regular Mouth - 16 oz by Jarden
• Amazon Business
$16.48
2
$32.96
Neenah Paper Astrobrights Cardstock, 8.5" x 11", 65 lb / 176 gsm,"Vintage" 5-Color Assortment, 250 Sheets, Multi-Colored (21003)
• Amazon Business
$12.64
2
$25.28
Ziploc Freezer Bags, Quart, 3 pack, 38ct
• Amazon Business
$16.11
1
$16.11
Binder Pencil Pouch with Zipper Pulls, Pencil Case with Rivet Enforced 3 Ring, 10 Pack 5 Colors
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Popsicle Sticks, (1,000pc), 4-1/2" Length, FDA Approved Food Grade Wooden Ice Cream Sticks, Great Bulk Sticks for Crafts, by Fedmax. (1,000pc)
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
Ledy Led Grow Light 3.2ft 5050 Waterproof Flexible Soft Strip Grow Light for Plant Flower Herbs Seeds Seedlings Growing Red Blue 4:1 with DC 12V 2A Adaptor
• Amazon Business
$13.98
1
$13.98
ECR4Kids Cutting Edge SureGrip Kid's Scissor Classpack for School Classrooms, Pointed Tip (12-Pack Set)
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
300 Pcs Pipe Cleaners - Craft Supplies Chenille Stem by BellaBetty (6 mm x 12 Inch, Assorted Colors)
• Amazon Business
$9.99
1
$9.99
Materials cost
$867.09
Vendor shipping charges
$6.70
Sales tax
$79.34
3rd party payment processing fee
$13.01
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$996.14
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$175.79
Total project goal
$1,171.93
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,171.93
1 Donor
-$1,171.93
Donations toward project cost
-$996.14
Donations 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 Ms. Clayton and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.