You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Dr. DoRan from Mesa, AZ is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Dr. DoRan is requesting

Future Earthkeepers: Growing Scientists in Our School Biosphere

Help me give my students more understanding of how earth worms are important to the survival of our plants. An Air quality monitor for our Biosphere, so we can better monitor the air inside our sealed home.

  • $1,078 goal

This project expired on September 18, 2025.

This project expired on September 18, 2025.

My Project

Our students are ready to take environmental science to the next level—literally. After experimenting with mini biospheres this year, we’re preparing to launch a full-scale, sealed classroom biosphere where students will grow plants, monitor air and water quality, and study sustainability up close.

To support this living lab, we’re requesting a hydroponics system, composters, earthworms, soil quality kits, air quality detectors, and more.

These tools will help students explore real-world environmental science, from indoor air and water quality testing to sustainable gardening and composting.

Our students are curious, hands-on learners who want to understand the world they live in and how to take care of it. This project gives them that opportunity—regardless of background or income. With your help, they’ll become young scientists and responsible global citizens.

This project will empower students across all grade levels to engage deeply with environmental science through real-world tools and investigations. The composter and worm habitats will give students a hands-on understanding of decomposition, waste cycles, and soil health. The hydroponics kits will introduce them to sustainable growing systems and plant care without soil—allowing us to grow tomatoes, peppers, and more year-round.

The air and water quality meters, along with the dissolved oxygen and BOD test kits, will allow students to monitor environmental health in their own surroundings and compare it to local and regional data. These tools will be used as part of a yearlong project to build and seal a functioning classroom biosphere, teaching students systems thinking, responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

Through this experience, our students—many of whom have limited access to nature or scientific tools—will learn how human actions impact ecosystems and how they can be part of the solution. This is about growing scientific minds and compassionate hearts, preparing them to become the earth caretakers and changemakers of tomorrow.

Dr. DoRan Vista Grove Preparatory Academy Grades 3-5

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Mesa, AZ View local requests

Nearly all 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

70 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Dr. DoRan is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
E SUPEREGROW Large Hydroponics Growing System kit with Trellis,Smart Indoor Hydroponic Gardening System with LED Grow Light, Indoor Hydroponic Grow Kit for Tomato,Pepper,Cucumbers(7L,Pump) • Amazon Business $198.99 1 $198.99
Mini Environmental Quality Meter • Nasco $118.96 1 $118.96
Indoor Air Quality Monitor, IGERESS Formaldehyde Detector, Pollution Monitor, Dust Tester, Detect Indoor HCHO/TVOC/PM2.5/PM10, Colorful LCD Screen & USB Charging • Amazon Business $95.99 1 $95.99
Hydroponics Growing System kit with Trellis,Smart Hydroponic Gardening System with LED Grow Light, Indoor Hydroponic Garden Herb Grow Kit for Short Tomato,Pepper,Cucumber (6200LC) • Amazon Business $75.99 1 $75.99
Carolina's Perfect Solution Earthworms Plain Unit of 100 • Carolina Biological Supply Company $71.91 1 $71.91
Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) Living Large Pack of 100 • Carolina Biological Supply Company $59.72 1 $59.72
Educational Insights See-Through Composter • Kaplan Early Learning Company $49.46 1 $49.46
LaMotte TesTabs Dissolved Oxygen/BOD Kit • Carolina Biological Supply Company $46.80 1 $46.80
Magic Worm Bedding 4-1/2 lb • Carolina Biological Supply Company $11.79 3 $35.37

Materials cost

$753.19

Vendor shipping charges

 $67.79

Sales tax

 $53.85

3rd party payment processing fee

$11.30

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$916.13

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$161.67

Total project goal

$1,077.80

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

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 Dr. DoRan and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"AZ","teacherPossessivePronoun":"their","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":1078,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/future-earthkeepers-growing-scientists/9367541/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":70,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Dr. DoRan","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-1154725090","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Mesa","teachersOnPage":[8673594],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9367541,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":69779,"schoolName":"Vista Grove Preparatory Academy","authorIds":{"8673594":{"owner":"Dr. DoRan","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9367541],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8673594_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1748215853009","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":22026857,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":8673594,"schoolCounty":"Maricopa","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"AZ","name":"Arizona"}}