From Photosynthesis to Phenotypes: Critical Thinking Through Games
Help me give my students a content-driven way to exercise critical thinking skills and get away from their screens and interact with one another!
$1,113 goal
This project expired on July 19, 2025.
This project expired on July 19, 2025.
My Project
Last year, I joined the staff and took over teaching AP Biology, AP Evironmental Science, and Freshmen Biology. My AP classes pushed themselves extremely hard and, after AP tests wrapped up for the year, I decided to teach them a myriad of complex board games that reinforces the content while teaching them critical thinking skills and giving them an excuse to get away from their screens and interact with each other face-to-face.
I cannot overstress how much of a resounding success that experience was!
Students in these classes rushed to get to class, had critical conversations regarding strategies and rules and honestly smiled through much of the class. I was further pressured by the students to create a yearlong Board Game Club, and we currently have a core group of 25 students and three teachers that meet twice a month to celebrate the joys of group gaming in a non-digital setting. I am creating this project to add to our class library and get some additional games on the shelf so that I can finish out the year with a wide variety of unique offerings and inspire a love for the simple pleasure of gathering around the table and engaging in wholesome, interactive, and (maybe most importantly) unplugged experiences!
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
80 students impacted
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Photosynthesis Board Game | Award Winning Kids Teens Adult and Young Botanists Strategy Game | 2-4 Players | Perfect for Family Game Nights | Harvest Light, Grow Trees | by Blue Orange Games
• Amazon Business
$39.99
6
$239.94
in The Footsteps of Darwin | Tile Laying Board Game | Ages 8+ | 2 to 5 Players | 30 Minutes
• Amazon Business
$38.22
6
$229.32
Inside Up Games Earth - The Board Game by Inside Up Games & Maxime Tardif,Ecosystem Building,Card Drafting & Action Selecting,for 1 to 5 Players,Play Solo-Multiplayer-Teams,45-90 Minute Playing Time
• Amazon Business
$37.16
6
$222.96
Harmonies Board Game - Create Oneiric Landscapes! Strategic & Poetic Gameplay, Fun Family Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 10+, 1-4 Players, 30 Min Playtime, (Multilingual Edition) Made by Libellud
• Amazon Business
$34.99
6
$209.94
Materials cost
$902.16
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$13.53
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$945.69
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$166.89
Total project goal
$1,112.58
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
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 Mr. Paprocki and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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