I teach middle school science in an Indiana alternative school where students are with us for a minimum of 8 weeks for various disruptive offenses from their home schools. These students thrive when they have the ability to visualize concepts and work in a lab setting.
This year, I am teaching 8th grade students who missed dissection last year due to suspensions and expulsions from school. They have expressed interest in dissection and I want to encourage their enthusiasm for learning by attempting to fulfill their request. I not only want to introduce dissection to these students, but tie it in with forensic science which will capture students’ interest immediately. Because my students have been temporarily removed from their home schools, I want to provide many opportunities that make my students feel like they have the same, and many times advanced, opportunities as their classmates at the home schools. I don't want these students to view our alternative school as a punishment, but rather as a stepping stone on their way to their home schools.
Many of my students are returning due to behavioral or attendance issues. I want to use my dissection project as an activity to get the students back into the flow of working and to give them a chance to learn outside of the textbook. Any time I can allow my students to work in "hands-on" settings; students who struggle with book work thrive and become the leaders of their group.
I was recently told that our school budget was cut drastically, and their will be no funding for extra projects. I hope you will help us to make this lab experience a reality.
In order to immerse my students in this Forensics and Biology experience, we need enough supplies for my students to work in groups of three to four. We are asking for one Carolina Forensic Dissection Kit for a Class of 32 which includes all materials necessary for our forensics dissection. This kit includes 8 fetal pigs, suture kits, handout materials, and instructions. This will place my students in front of a real life autopsy experience. We are also requesting 4 fetal pig mats to hold our materials as we complete our task. This is all we need to make our activity a reality.
By purchasing these materials for my 8th grade alternative students, you will allow them a chance to participate in a lab experience that they would otherwise miss out on. My goal is to give these kids every experience they would receive at their home schools, and hopefully even more. It will allow my learners to visualize what they are reading in textbooks and will give them a reason to look forward to coming to school. You will allow me to open up a new world for my students if you choose to purchase our Forensic Dissection Kit and materials. We thank you greatly! It can't happen without you!
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 Mrs. Sayles and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
