This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
It seemed like just yesterday when I was pulling items out of the pantry to create some type of science experiment. Being able to explore and create at such a young age allowed me to keep that curiosity as I got older. Never did I think I would get to share this joy with over 500 students on a weekly basis.
STEM is important because it is present and apparent in our every day lives.
Through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, our next generation children are exposed to opportunities that will help them develop their passions.
I teach in a highly diverse elementary school in Northeast Georgia. We have an unusually high poverty rate, but our students want to learn. They have such a desire to explore and delve into things that they may not have an opportunity to do outside of school.
My Project
STEM allows students to answer questions such as why, what if and how might. Using the Science standards, these materials will help learning evolve into more of a fun activity. Whether it is figuring out how to make something stick by finding the right measurements of ingredients (baking soda, salt and cornstarch) or using Styrofoam balls to model the phases of the moon, students will have ownership in their instruction.
When students have access to hands-on experimenting, they are able to discover, explore, and problem solve.
Whether successful on the first try or having to improve their design/experiment and try again, students are gaining confidence in their learning.
Kindergarten-5th grade students will have the opportunity to use these materials in STEM class. The requested resources will be used for the following experiments....
*Kindergarten will learn about Matter by making cupcakes using the muffin trays and food coloring (liquid - solid)
*4th grade will use the styrofoam balls to create a model of the Solar System
*1st grade will use the playdough to create animals that go into their habitats.
*2nd grade will learn about density by coloring (food coloring) different liquids (honey, corn syrup, and olive oil) and layering them on top of each other.
*3rd grade will learn about the effects that water (spray bottle) has on the land by using the plastic trays, wooden rolling pins, and sand.
*5th grade will use cornstarch, citric acid, salt and baking soda to changing materials and irreversible actions.
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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. Costello and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.