Hydrospheria Means Water Criteria: Water Quality/Pollution

I have recently moved to a new school where I will be teaching science to students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The school serves approximately 50% free and reduced lunches. The student population that I teach have learning disabilities. It is my belief that to fully enhance their abilities the students need to be exposed to hands-on learning opportunities. For a child who is taught as if he is gifted will find his educational gifts within himself. Gifts later to be shared with the world.

The largest part of our earth is covered by water. The same water resources have become contaminated through pollution by the hands of mankind. Our students are the future and present stewards of our planet. In order to understand the importance of their role, they need to develop a better understanding of the way water is polluted, the quality of the water in their community, micro-organisms that reside in the water system (both good and bad), and how their behavior has an effect on the outcome of water for future generations.

I am requesting a set of four microscopes to be shared by teams of students as they explore the world of organisms too small to be visible to the human eye. In addition, the students need water testing kits in order to determine the elements and pollutants that are present in the streams, rivers, ponds, creeks, and drinking water in their own community. By studying the quality of the water from various water Eco systems the students will take the information and further explore the types of factories or industries that may be contributing to the pollution. In addition we would like to have specialized rain collection system. All materials will be able to be shared by many future generations of students. The students will become junior scientists in action and experience real life science verses book science. Since water also evaporates into the atmosphere and returns to Earth through condensation, the students will analyze rainwater collected through a specialized collection system. The rain water collected and studied will be used to enhance an additional program that we will be doing as well relating to plant propagation.

By donating to the middle school science classes that I will be teaching, you will be helping to bring our science program to life. Without science materials to support the things that the students are taught, the student's understanding of the nature of science is limited. America needs future scientists and by helping spark an interest in science through your donation, you may well be helping to guide a student towards a field that may one day make a positive difference for the water systems of our planet.