This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
I teach chemistry at Magnolia High School in Anaheim. My students are tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders. A majority of my students come from low socio-economic families. The school that I teach at does not have a budget available for the science department to do a much needed upgrade of the lab equipment.
Earlier this year I had my students perform a lab where they determined how many layers of atoms there were on a zinc coating of galvanized iron. During the lab students needed to use an electronic balance to determine the difference in mass of the galvanized iron before and after removing the coating. The electronic balance that my school owns is extremely old. The balance does not re-zero without being unplugged. It also needs to be calibrated. When I asked my students what about the lab needs to be improved to make the results more accurate, all of my students responded that we needed a new balance.
My students need a new electronic balance that does not need to be unplugged each time it needs to be re-zeroed. In talking with companies that make electronic balances, I have been told that since the balance I have is so old, it would be cheaper to buy a new one instead of trying to get the balance re-calibrated. My students need a new electronic balance so that they can successfully complete their labs with accurate results.
Having a new electronic lab balance will give my students more accurate results in their labs. This will also allow my students to get through the lab quicker. In the lab we did at the beginning of the year, some of my students didn't finish due to difficulties with the balance. I currently only do two labs a year that require an electronic balance because of the problems with the one I currently have. I have considered eliminating these important labs because of these difficulties. In chemistry it is so important that students learn how to measure the mass of substances. The mass is also used to confirm the Law of Conservation of Matter which is an integral part of chemistry. Students learn material better when they have a chance to do as opposed to just listed or watch. Please help my students do chemistry as opposed to just listening to me talk about it or read about it.
More than three‑quarters 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
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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 Mrs. A. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
