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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Borstel from Rolling Hills Estates, CA is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Borstel is requesting
Student-led project

California Ocean Water Pollution Project

We need a waterworks test kit, refractometer, oil test paper, a micro centrifuge, 10 hydrometers and an education backpack to test ocean water samples for pollution.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Borstel's classroom raised $1,235

This project is fully funded

About My Students

I am so excited that Alex's project allows my students to apply what I have been teaching them to a real-world problem, a problem that could impact their children. Alex is an enthusiastic and hard-working student who, along with his classmates, may pursue careers to help solve this problem.

Alex asked me about this opportunity in class and again after school. He was interested in doing chemistry experiments using what he was being taught in school by applying them to a real-world problem. As Alex loves the beach and the ocean, he noticed the different pollution levels across the LA beaches. He researched the ocean’s pollution problem on the Internet and wrote up his ideas for leading this project. His research included finding prices for the materials. He is very excited about using actual chemistry equipment and techniques to measure the pollution levels of the different ocean areas around LA.

This project will allow the students to learn how to properly collect samples, measure and record data correctly, apply mathematics to their data and analyze their results. They will practice their writing skills documenting their observations and writing their conclusion for the project. The project will require teamwork and cooperation among the group members to organize and execute the project while applying and expanding their chemistry knowledge to the real-life problem of ocean pollution.

In Their Own Words

How green are LA ocean waters? According to the Conserve Energy Future web site, the biggest source for ocean pollution is land-based sources. We live near several LA beaches and harbors used for enjoyment and support the fishing and commercial shipping industries. We want to test the quality of ocean water from Long Beach to Malibu to determine the pollution levels across the LA waterfront. Once we have determined the worst areas, we will look at ways to help clean up those areas.

I took the lead and researched the issues of pollution in our local seawater and helped determine what equipment and materials were needed for a well-rounded study, as well as the costs to complete the experiments. As part of my leadership role, I will work with 2 student volunteer leaders so that each class has a student technical expert, and as such we will document the proper experiment procedures for each experiment and help consolidate all of the results so everyone can see the results.

Ocean pollution is a real-world problem. It affects everyone that goes to the beach or fishes in the waters. This project uses chemistry techniques to determine locations of the most pollution. If harbors are significantly more polluted than beaches, then more focus can be shifted to harbor cleanup. If LA beaches show areas of increased pollution, then more clean-up emphasis can be put on the most polluted beaches. Cleaner beaches and water are safer for everyone to use.

Mrs. Borstel Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Grades 9-12 Rolling Hills Estates, CA View local requests 105 students impacted 9donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Water Quality Education Test Kit Backpack Lab • Nasco $326.36 1 $326.36
Micro Centrifuge • Nasco $220.36 1 $220.36
WaterWorks 9Way Classroom Test Kit • Nasco $82.03 2 $164.06
Portable Refractometer • Nasco $59.46 1 $59.46
Light Liquid Hydrometer Specific Gravity Range 0.7001.000 • Nasco $4.00 10 $40.00
Oil Test Paper 100 Pack • Nasco $34.64 1 $34.64

Materials cost

$844.88

Vendor shipping charges

 $84.49

Sales tax

 $77.31

3rd party payment processing fee

$12.67

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,049.35

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$185.18

Total project goal

$1,234.53

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,234.53

6 Donors

-$590.80

Donations toward project cost

-$524.68

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$66.12

match offer

-$617.26

Match offer toward project cost

-$524.67

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$92.59

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$26.47

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. Borstel and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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