I teach chemistry in an urban school to college bound students. Like many other schools, we are facing lean financial times right now. The kits we currently own are probably twenty years old. They are often broken and have missing parts. Upgrading to a current set would benefit our kids greatly.
I teach in a automobile city that has been hit hard by the recession.
I have been trying to teach chemistry to a population that can't afford the sort of things they used to. Getting students equipped with the resources they need to succeed is becoming more of a challenge.
I teach the "honors" students. Many are planning on attending some type of college. Some are from wealthier families, but being in an urban setting, many are not. The parents of these students are hoping the education they get at the high school will help them have a better life. I try to provide the same quality of education that students would achieve in wealthier districts.
My Project
Model kits are essential for beginning chemistry students. We can't actually see atoms with the naked eye (obviously), so the only way for the kids to understand what is happening in molecules is with models. Our old molecules are so worn-down and broken that it is hard to use them. It is nearly impossible to have the students see the 3-D shape and bond angles using our current models. New models will allow students to more easily visualize how molecules are arranged, and what is going on in chemical reactions. I have also requested a teacher set so that I can demonstrate to the entire class. Now, I use the small models and hope students in the back row can see what I was doing. These larger models will allow EVERY student to see what I am showing them and also allow me to think creatively on how I can demonstrate concepts to the entire class.
Successful chemistry students must be able to visualize chemicals at the atomic level.
Chemistry does not make sense until one realizes what is happening to atoms in various reactions. These models quite simply make this possible. A future generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care workers begin their careers learning chemistry in high school. It is my job to get them started off on the right foot. Will you help?
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