Most of our students are inner city, mixed races and high poverty
with approximately 75% on free and/or reduced lunch.
All are in the Senior High School grade ranges. Specifically, about half of my students this year are sophomores with the remaining half being divided pretty equally between the other three grade ranges. I currently teach one class of Biology and 5 sections of Zoology. I often am asked don't you have any lab stools and all I can reply is we used to have some but they are all broken and disposed of.
My Project
My classroom is equipped with both student desks and lab stations but I do not have enough stools for my students to sit down at the lab stations. The Science department has been without this essential supply for over 10 years in many of the rooms. After purchasing supplies to conduct labs there just is not enough money left to buy stools.
My students are telling me they just want to sit down because leaning to use a microscope or dissect is very uncomfortable for a 5' 5" to 6' tall person when the lab benches are only 36" tall.
My classroom is an active place and lab stations are used every day of the week by some or all students. Students work collaboratively in groups, perform experiments, and build models. They love working at the lab stations but find them uncomfortable at times. If the students can be comfortable they can focus better and learn more.
Lack of lab stools is also a safety issue. Students who are uncomfortable will try to get comfortable in interesting ways. I have seen students try to lay across the tables, sit on top of student desks, or lean on the counters that could have dangerous chemicals on the surface. Lab stools would prevent this issue.
I am asking for durable, affordable, and practical stools. I chose red and green (our school's colors) so my students can feel school spirit in my room. Please help my students work more comfortably and safely.
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