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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Simoneaux from San Antonio, TX is requesting sports & exercise equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Simoneaux is requesting

Rats, Roots, and Real Science, Getting Hands-On with Biology

Help me give my students the opportunity to care for classroom rats as they explore biology through hands-on lessons in genetics, body systems, and sustainable gardening while also building responsibility and having fun with science!

  • $582 goal

This project expired on August 12, 2025.

This project expired on August 12, 2025.

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Project

I teach 9th grade biology in a diverse, high-needs community where many students are learning to see science as something they do, not just something they read about.

My students thrive when given authentic, real-world learning opportunities.

They’re curious, observant, and love when science feels alive. Many have never had the chance to interact with small animals or see a living system up close. This project gives them a unique opportunity to become caregivers, observers, and scientists—all at once.

To create a safe, enriching environment for our class rats, we are requesting:

A spacious, multi-level rat cage

Bedding, hideouts, hammocks, and chew toys

Food and water dispensers

Nutritious rat food and treats

Cleaning supplies and ongoing maintenance items

These items will allow us to give the rats a healthy, happy home and maintain a clean and safe classroom environment. Throughout the year, students will:

Observe and record rat behaviors and traits, applying what they’ve learned in genetics, anatomy, and body systems.

Participate in daily and weekly caretaking routines, building responsibility and empathy.

They will also observe the rats interacting with our hydroponic garden, as the rats enjoy small harvests of leafy greens and herbs grown by the students themselves.

We’ll tie in standards-based units on inheritance, traits, systems biology, and ecology to deepen student learning through observation and care.

Adding these intelligent creatures to our classroom will not only bring joy and spark curiosity—it will transform abstract content into something concrete and meaningful. Help us turn our biology class into a living lab where students can connect with science every day.

Mrs. Simoneaux Brackenridge High School Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

San Antonio, TX View local requests

Nearly all 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

145 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Critter Nation Double Unit Small Animal Cage (Model 162) • Amazon Business $246.49 1 $246.49
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food - All Natural Adult Rat Food - Veterinarian Recommended- Made in the USA- Rich in Natural Vitamins & Minerals- No Artificial Ingredients- 20 lb. • Amazon Business $50.49 1 $50.49
MagicWater Supply - 2 LB - Kraft - Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler great for Gift Wrapping, Basket Filling, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
BOAO 2 Pcs Guinea Pig Rat Hammock Guinea Pig Hamster Ferret Hanging Hammock Accessories for Small Animals Chinchilla Parrot Sugar Glider Ferret Squirrel(Rose Color, Blue, Dot Pattern) • Amazon Business $9.99 2 $19.98
Jetec Shark Guinea Pig Bed Hideout Guinea Pig Animals Bed House Warm Small Hamster Nest Sleeping Mat Cushions Dutch Hamster Hedgehog Rat Chinchilla(Gray) • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
UNMOT Pet Cage Cleaner Set for Rabbit Cages Guinea Pig Hamster Cat Ferret Birds Parrot Chinchilla for Small Animals Pet Playpen Bedding Cleaning Brush Dustpan and Broom Foam Sponge • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
QIYADIN Dog Crate Bowl, Hanging Stainless Steel Removable Pet Crate Water & Food Bowls, Pet Cage Feeder Container Coop Cup for Cat Puppy Birds Rats Guinea Pigs Rabbit Hamster (2PCS) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Choco Nose Patented No-Drip Water Bottle/Feeder for Guinea Pigs/Hamsters/Bunnies/Ferrets/Other Small Pets, Critters and Animals -for Cages, Crates or Wall Mount. 10.2 oz. Nozzle 10mm, Pink (C128) • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
Choco Nose Patented No-Drip Water Bottle/Feeder for Guinea Pigs/Hamsters/Bunnies/Ferrets/Other Small Pets, Critters and Animals - for Cages, Crates or Wall Mount. 10.2oz. Nozzle 10mm, Green (C128) • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99
Kaytee Crinkle Tunnel Oversized Crackling Tube For Pet Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, Rats, and Chinchillas • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Sofier Natural Timothy Hay Treats & Chews - 17pcs Handmade Rabbit & Chinchilla Toys for Teeth • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
TRIXIE Small Animal Suspension Bridge, Hanging Cage Accessory with Hammock and Climbing Toys - Ladder and Ring, Ideal for Rats, Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, Mice • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
Niteangel Wooden Hamster Feeding Bowl: - Small Animal Food Dish for Dwarf Syrian Hamsters Gerbils Mice Degus or Other Similar-Sized Small Pets (No Pattern, for Syrian) • Amazon Business $8.54 1 $8.54
Nature's Miracle Small Animal Cage and Surface Cleaner, Bio-Enzymatic Cleaning Formula, Destroy Tough Stains and Odors, 24 Ounces • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99
Sukh 150G Hamster Bedding - Flowers & Herbs Odor Control Dwarf Gerbil Robo Katy Habitat Decor Hamster Forage Gerbils Mice Lemmings Degus or Other Small-Sized Pets • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99

Materials cost

$457.39

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.86

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$494.25

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$87.22

Total project goal

$581.47

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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. Simoneaux and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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