Full Steam Ahead: Putting the Arts Back in Biology
My students need 24 scissors with a caddy, a classpack of broad line markers, a classpack of colored pencils, a classpack of crayons and 500 sheets of construction paper to create models of biological processes and concepts for deeper understanding.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Every day my students walk into the classroom and say: "I am superior to negative thoughts and low actions. I possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful". They are constantly proving these statements true in my class through their diligence and willingness to press on despite challenges
My classroom is filled with ambitious, driven and intelligent young people that seek to understand the world around them.
I teach biology in a progressive, STEM-focused high school. My students love hands-on activities and the opportunities to express their understanding of the material through art.
My Project
Through the use of construction paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons and scissors, my students will create models of specific biological processes and concepts (for example, DNA replication, transcription, translation; the mechanisms of inheritance) in order to further deepen their understanding and to engage in memorable learning experiences. The construction of these models will also serve to prepare them for more academically rigorous experiences (such as dissections) where their attention to detail and their creativity as well as curiosity will be paramount. In essence, I am creating a space where my students can engage their multiple intelligences and geniuses for academic enrichment.
These donations will allow my students to bring to life concepts that we talk about every day but that can be so abstract that their beauty is lost.
It's one thing to talk about DNA replication. It's another thing for students to be able to create a model of DNA with their own hands, or to create a children's flip book so that others can benefit from the learning they have experienced. Through access to these supplies, my students will experience a greater, fuller understanding of biology.
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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 Ms. Okonofua and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
