"Everybody thinks only 'good' kids go here. What it really is, is that everyone - teachers, staff, administration - buys into the fact that having high expectations, being kind, and encouraging creativity is part of our school culture." - teacher
"At (our school), you can be who you are and like what you like and it's cool." - student
We are a Title l, 6-12 visual and performing arts magnet public school in a state that is decreasing school funding. Projects and activities that promote creative thinking are highly encouraged here, but there just aren't enough resources to do all we'd like for the kids. This is my 24th year teaching and my 21st at this school. Both of my own kids are here and I love it as both a teacher and a parent.
My Project
Cholera, ringworm, typhoid, botulism - mmmmm. In our disease unit, my students learn all about Dread Diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. At home, they use hand sanitizer, take antibiotics, and use antifungal cream. So how do I convince them after all that that bacteria and fungi can actually be good? Kombucha to the rescue!
If I give you a glass of bacteria and fungi, would you drink it?
Each class will get a vat, some donated scoby (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast), learn how the scoby is similar to and different from pathogenic microbes, and use it to create a fermented tea of their own creation. Then, to prove it's safe, they get to a chance to drink it.
Up to about 8th grade, kids are taught a simplified science, the truth without all the confusing exceptions and grey area. One of the joys of teaching this age group is showing them that the world is much more complex and beautiful, even down to bacteria.
In this lab, they get to see that bacteria and fungi aren't just killers. Microbes in your food and in your gut turn out to be more than just safe - they're an important part of maintaining your health. They get to learn more about grey area and the negative impact on your microbiome of doing "good" things like taking antibiotics, using antimicrobial products, and avoiding bacteria in your food. And they get to try kombucha.
My physical science kids will get to study the chemistry of the Kombucha. We'll figure out the formulas for the reactions, balance those equations, test the pH, and give recommendations to the 8th graders as to what they could do to increase or decrease the rate of reaction to change the acidity.
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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 Ms. LeMay and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
