My classroom consists of students from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our charter high school provides an opportunity for children from local and neighboring towns to earn a valuable education and prepare them for life after high school. With 23% of my students being gifted and talented and 24% of my students receiving free and reduced-price lunch, it is hard to accommodate them on such limited resources. Whether students are entering the work force, military, or college, we have high expectations in all that they do.
My biology, marine science, and earth science students are eager to learn, but sometimes lack of equipment makes it difficult to do hands-on experiments.
Many of my students look forward to labs and express that by completing an experiment they are better able to understand some of the more complicated processes that we discuss in class. A hands-on experience also helps my students to gain an understanding of "why" we are learning this material and "how" it can apply to their lives.
My Project
The electronic balances will be used in many different lab activities for all of my science classes. In biology, students will measure the mass of an egg before and after sitting in various liquids to better understand the process of osmosis. In marine science, students will use the balances to mass various chemicals to mimic the adaptations of the Antarctic Icefish. My earth science students will use the balances in their measurement and equipment lab to learn how to properly use scientific equipment and collect data.
Hands-on practice using scientific equipment brings about students who are more eager to enter the science field.
Having the right equipment on hand will also allow students to design their own scientific experiments. I have found that this is the best way to empower our future STEM leaders.
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