My students love to think with their hands. Slide shows and demonstrations are perfectly acceptable, but, if a science inquiry can be squished, spindled, or squeezed, so much the better!
Our science pantry is empty of these hand-hold-able items; time to restock!
This year, we plant to explore both physical science and life science on the first day of school, so our shopping list is longer than usual.
Do I think this project is vital for all students in grades 3, 4, and 5? You bet your manipulatives I do!
My Project
In today's classroom, science is learned by collectively doing, especially doing open-ended, engaging experiments.
This project aims to place vital materials directly into the hands of young scientists.
Without the benefit of these materials, students often say, "This is too difficult.", "I can't.", or "Whatcha talking about?". The trick is to first perform complicated tasks together, then to guide carefully through the seemingly complicated process.
There is another phenomena that manifests during these experiments: The Ick Fascination Factor. This states that, with an increase in the apparent "ickiness" of an experiment, the greater the emotional reward in actually touching the materials. This is the real gist of this project!
The Elmer's glue is the essential material for our polymer slime recipe. Being both a solid and a liquid, slime demonstrates molecular flow at a specific temperature, endlessly moving and jiggling under gravity, as if it were alive.
Our energy sticks provide the perfect introduction into electrical circuits. Here, the human body provides the energy source and two hands grab hold of the stick to close the circuit. The LED energy stick lights up and makes sound. Students, young and old, are always shocked to learn that human skin transmits electricity!
Our two new siphons are designed to illustrate a new physical science topic for us this year: liquid hydraulics. Are we ready to create watery, laboratory messes? Oh, yes.
Most importantly, this project emphasizes plant germination and propagation through peat pellets and rooting gel. Our classroom is lucky to have southern light exposure all winter long, so these materials are vital to our laboratory!
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, White, Washable, 1 Gallon, 2 Count - Great for Making Slime
• Amazon Business
$27.78
4
$111.12
Root Naturally Jiffy-7 36mm Peat Pellets - 100 Count by Root Naturally
• Amazon Business
$12.99
4
$51.96
Be Amazing Toys Energy Stick
• Amazon Business
$7.99
5
$39.95
Plumber's Siphon Pro - Universal Gas, Oil, Potable Water - 1 Gl. Per Min. - W/ 9 ft. of Hose & Fits Any Hose, Any Length - Brass Weight & Hose Extender to Sink Hose -More Gl. Per Minute W/Larger Hose
• Amazon Business
$16.95
2
$33.90
Clonex HydroDynamics Rooting Gel, 100 ml
• Amazon Business
$15.29
1
$15.29
Be Amazing Toys Energy Stick
• Amazon Business
$7.90
1
$7.90
Materials cost
$260.12
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.90
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$294.02
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$51.89
Total project goal
$345.91
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$345.91
3 Donors
-$263.94
Donations toward project cost
-$224.35
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$39.59
match offer
-$81.96
Match offer toward project cost
-$69.67
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 Mr. Petuskey and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.