I teach 10-12th grade history and AP Psychology in a rural/suburban area. This is my 19th year in education, my 14th at the high school level. The focus of this project is on my 50 AP Psychology students.
My AP Psychology students are a intelligent and creative group of kids who want to apply the principles we've been learning this year.
They initiated the idea and asked how we could get the funds to implement it. That's where you can help them out!
My Project
Many colleges, universities, and high schools across the country find that training rats is great a way for students to apply the psychological principles of learning. In class via lecture, students study the behaviorist learning theories; in lab they are able to apply this information. They will experiment with operant and classical conditioning techniques, as well as problem solving and critical thinking.
The rats are not the only ones learning during this program.
The students will learn that the techniques employed with the rats are also can be applied to people. Students learn not only how to motivate themselves, but each other, as they work in a group to accomplish the tasks. themselves. They learn the importance of patience, consistency, and reinforcement so the animals learn the tasks.
Students will document their learning, as well as the rat's learning. This journal will serve as one form of assessment. Students will train the animals to do 3 basic tricks (ex. stand, climb rope, push ball), and 3 complex tricks (ex. Walk on hind legs, weave through sticks, and put a ball in a bowl). They will also train the rats to "chain" these tricks together to do them in sequence. Finally, the students will expose them to a Skinner's Box (push lever for food) and a Tolman Maze.
The students will also create videos of their rats performing these tricks to document the learning process.
All animal will be closely monitored so they remain healthy and happy. Students will also follow strict cleanliness requirements to protect themselves and the animals.
Kaytee My First Home Habitat for Pet Rat, 24 by 12-Inch
• Amazon Business
$44.99
2
$89.98
carefresh Complete Natural Paper Bedding for Small Animals, 50 L
• Amazon Business
$13.09
5
$65.45
Oxbow’s Essentials - Adult Rat Food, 3 lb
• Amazon Business
$15.99
2
$31.98
Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding, 60 L, Natural
• Amazon Business
$9.69
3
$29.07
Kaytee Grassy Roll-a-Nest Hideout, Large
• Amazon Business
$14.11
2
$28.22
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food, 3-Pound Bag
• Amazon Business
$13.09
2
$26.18
Choco Nose H125 Patented No Drip Hamster Water Bottle. Best Mini-Sized Pet Water Feeder for Hamster/ Hedgehog/ Sugar Glider/ Rat/ Mice. BPA Free. Mess Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Blue)
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
Superior RDCNPF KeepKleen Contour Work Nitrile Gloves, Latex Free Glove, Disposable Gloves, Powder Free, 4 mil Thickness, 9" Length, Large (Box of 100)
• Amazon Business
$8.55
2
$17.10
Superior RDCNPF KeepKleen Contour Work Nitrile Gloves, Latex Free Glove, Disposable Gloves, Powder Free, 4 mil Thickness, 9" Length, Medium (Box of 100)
• Amazon Business
$8.55
2
$17.10
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale Multifunction Food Scale, 11 lb 5 kg, Silver, Stainless Steel (Batteries Included)
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
Kaytee Stoneware Hamster Bowl, 3-Inch
• Amazon Business
$5.40
2
$10.80
Kaytee Perfect Chews for Rats
• Amazon Business
$2.24
2
$4.48
Materials cost
$353.33
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$29.15
3rd party payment processing fee
$5.30
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$417.78
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$73.73
Total project goal
$491.51
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$491.51
11 Donors
-$368.27
Donations toward project cost
-$337.03
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$31.24
match offer
-$95.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$80.75
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Earnheart and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
