My students need to experience the environment. Tampa Bay watch offers them a chance to experience their surrounding while learning ways to protect and conserve the earth.
I teach AP environmental science. The goal of the class is to learn how people impact and influence the environment. I teach the kids to love and appreciate the earth, and that its supplies are not endless. I hope I teach them to leave things better than they found them.
My students are passionate learners.
They have chosen to take a course that is rigorous and requires extra time and energy on their part to be successful. While sometimes we get so focused on the content and passing the AP exam we sometimes forgot the joy of science. Environmental science allows us to get out in nature and learn first hand the ideas presented in class.
Our school is located in St Petersburg Fl, we are surrounded by beaches and water. Our students have grown up a few miles from the ocean yet they do not understand the problems that sometimes resolve in their backyards. Environmental Science opens their eyes and ignites their passion to protect their backyards!
My Project
This field trip will offer first hand experience for my students. First they will be in a classroom setting where the instructors have worked with me to develop an interactive lecture that will align perfectly with the curriculum and the outline of topics for our course. Tampa Bay watch works with graduate students who are passionate about their work, and their enthusiasm is contagious to my students. They inspire them to study beyond high school and possibly find a career in the environmental field.
Next we will go out on the water and collect samples of fish and marine life. In the matter of thirty minutes we will have created a real life natural aquarium for my students to study. We will then study the species and their adaptations and life cycles. The students will engage in collaborative discussions and explore the marine experience, all while being outside and enjoying a beautiful day. There is not a better way in the world to learn and love science.
Our students are expected to complete many lab hours, which requires them to go on different trips.
Last year Tampa Bay was free to public schools so I was able to take my students. Since my students have to do four different trips to meet lab hours I am not sure if a trip this expensive is reasonable to ask parents. However, last year it was students favorite trip so I am hoping with the help of donors choose we will be able to make this happen, and enjoy the beautiful day.
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. Brown and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.