My students are middle school children from a New York City public school with varying backgrounds. We have a wide range of students, which include students with disabilities, students with autism spectrum disorders, English as a New Language students, and military students from Fort Wadsworth. We understand that all students can learn, but they may learn in a different way.
Our students learn best when we incorporate a variety of modalities in every lesson.
I need to have a variety of teaching tools to reach each and every one of my students. Our science department is always striving to engage our students through hands-on project based learning, STEM, and computer science activities. These tasks allow our students to address real world problems and collaborate together to come up with solutions to real world problems. Our goal is to promote life-long learners in our students and prepare our students for the future by being 21st century learners. Each day, they come to class eager to learn.
My Project
My students need light microscopes to explore the world that is unseen with the naked eye as we investigate cells, body systems, living and non-living things. How cool is it to identify protozoa, algae or hydras from our local pond? I want to bring the "wow" factor to our life sciences unit. Many times, students cannot comprehend the intricate structure of living things that are microscopic. They need microscopes that can illuminate specimens so they can see the much smaller structure that relates to the function of the organism. We currently have microscopes that use mirrors to capture the light to illuminate the specimen they are viewing under the microscope. On a cloudy day or in a not so well it room, this task is difficult and frustrating for my students. The microscope we are seeking uses battery powered LED light from underneath the specimen to illuminate it. This will give my students a much clearer and brighter view of their specimens minus the "finding the light" obstacle. The microscopes I am asking for will allow my students not only to see for the first time the smallest of specimens, but will allow them to understand how the microscopic world functions.
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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. Marcantonio and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
