My students need simple materials to do inquiry-based, "hands-on", experiments. National Chemistry week is right around the corner and we want to celebrate in style!
What was your experience in Chemistry? Too often the class brings to mind problems and dangerous labs. Inquiry into Chemistry allows students to use everyday materials like shaving cream and tempera paint in "hands-on" experiments to learn how cool chemistry really is--not how tough it can be.
Our school's students are not wealthy; over 40% receive free or reduced price lunches.
This area in West Virginia is in transition from being almost entirely rural to becoming more of a commuter area for a major metropolitan city. Our School, M., is known for its tremendous school spirit and great students. Every Friday is a Spirit Day; many students and nearly all of the staff and faculty wear the School's colors every Friday. It is not unusual to see students wearing club t-shirts, uniforms, etc. on any given day of the week, reflecting their pride in M. Many of our staff and faculty are alumnae themselves and make tremendous sacrifices in order to be able to teach at M. Our students appreciate every lab, activity, and "hands-on" project available to them. They know that often the teacher is paying for the materials herself in order for her students to be able to do the activity. M's students will be thrilled and genuinely appreciate for these donations.
My Project
The materials such as glue, tempera paint, cups will transform our classroom in an inquiry-based lab. These simple materials in conjunction with the Journal of Chemistry's inquiry-based lab activities will bring home chemistry in a manner that is wholly different. One example is the colorful lather printing. The chemistry students will use paper plates, tempera paint, and shaving cream to do the JCE Colorful Lather Painting to learn about cohesion. The students will use different types of paper (index cards, newspaper, copy paper, etc.) to learn the different cohesive properties of paper. Doesn't that beat a lecture?
The materials requested will allow over 100 chemistry students to have a first hand experience in lab.
In my experience, the students remember every activity, lab, or other experience they have and very little of what I say. So, the more direct experiences they have, the more they learn. Inquiry into Chemistry increases their chances of learning more chemistry.
More than half 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. Stevens and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.