I currently teach in a 6th grade classroom with 28 students in a moderately low income school with a rising low income population. We currently serve 453 children grades K-6.
I am writing this grant application because I am in desperate need for science materials. This summer I had the privilege to attend a national institute on inquiry-based science and I was thrilled to get back into the classroom and dig in. Unfortunately, while both my students and I were enthusiastic to start, our hopes were quickly dashed when I realized that we only had one accurately functioning balance scale in the entire building for approximately 453 students! Talk about feeling like my hands were tied. After building up my inquiry-based chemistry unit, I have had to put it on hold until I can scrape together the materials to ensure its success. Of course, I could have taught this subject the same old way I used to which is reading about chemistry and then testing but I really wanted my students to have the opportunity to "Do it and Understand" rather than "Hear it and Forget".
After realizing we had limited supplies, I went through every chemistry experiment in my unit and made a list of the materials I would need. After that I began perusing supply magazines to determine the cost of the materials. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the costs and pretty much resigned to the fact that inquiry based science might be out for the year, I found this site referenced on the cover of Nasco Science. HOPE WAS RESTORED! I immediately began the process of applying and hoping for the best for my students. The resources requested in this grant include the basic materials that I will need from year to year to implement my inquiry based chemistry unit. Specifically, I will use the balance scales, masses thermometers, cylinders and beakers to teach the students skills in measurement. This is an area that my students consistently struggle with. If I received the materials requested I will be able to have my students in small groups to explore how to take temperatures of substances, determine the weights and masses of objects and calculate volume. Without the materials, I will only be able to model these concepts for students.
So why does inquiry based science matter? It matters because the students sitting in my class are the future scientists of this great nation. They must develop a love and understanding of science in order to solve the problems that will face their generation. It is not enough for them to sit and simply watch the world go by. My students must develop the skills to observe, question, wonder, and explore. By providing my classroom with the materials to participate in inquiry based science, you will be doing your part to ensure that a future of our world is in capable hands. Thanks for considering a contribution to my classroom.
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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. W. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.