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Ms. Ekstrom from Galt CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

The Case of the Missing Caterpillars

My students need a microscope, insect slide kits, a bug discovery kit, Bee-Bot robots, an iPad mini, bug counters, live caterpillar kits, and a STEM challenge kit as we bring insect discovery to life!

  • $1,345 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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 Students

I teach transitional kindergarten and kindergarten at a high poverty Title I school. My classroom makeup consists of English Language Learners, students with both academic and physical special needs, and several students that do not have many opportunities.

I love being able to create a caring and respectful classroom community for my students and offering opportunities that show them all of their possibilities!

My favorite part of teaching is building a community in my classroom and creating learning adventures that get my students excited about learning, so that they cannot wait to come to school.

My Project

The premise: I (Detective Ekstrom) will greet students at the door and let them know that our Painted Lady Butterfly kit is missing! We have to all become detectives and work through investigations (centers) to gain clues to solve the Case of the Missing Caterpillars. These centers will focus on different areas of STEM. After they finish a center, they will earn a piece of the caterpillar life cycle. We will print out clip art pieces to hang on our whiteboard. Once they have earned all of the pieces, they will find a note that will lead them to the Painted Lady Butterfly kit. I will be dressed up with my detective fedora and badge and will add some crime scene tape throughout the classroom to really set the stage for engagement!

"Provide an uncommon experience for your students and they will reward you with an uncommon effort and attitude." - Dave Burgess

I am requesting materials for each of the insect-themed centers.

1. iPad mini- Students will research the life cycle of an insect. They will use the pic collage app to insert pictures of each stage of the lifecycle.

2. Microscope and insect slides- Students will use the microscope to view different insects.

3. Bee-Bot robots- I will print out pictures of the bumblebee life cycle (mixed in with other insects). Students will program their robot to follow the path of the bee life cycle.

4. STEM challenge kit- I will use insect models and the students will engineer a raft, parachute, and house to keep their insect safe.

5.Insect Instant Learning Center- students will sort insects by different attributes.

6. Bug counters- Students will solve addition and subtraction problems using bug counters.

I believe this engaging day will inspire students to want to continue learning about insects!

Ms. Ekstrom
Grades PreK-2

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
New Apple iPad Mini 4 (126GB, Wi-Fi, Space Gray) • Amazon Business $360.94 1 $360.94
BT363 - Bee-Bot® Programmable Robot • Lakeshore Learning Materials $69.99 3 $209.97
PP907 - Real-World STEM Challenges Small-Group Kit - K-Gr. 1 • Lakeshore Learning Materials $149.00 1 $149.00
My First Lab Duo-Scope Microscope • Carolina Biological Supply Company $81.45 1 $81.45
Painted Lady Butterfly Amazing Bugs Kit (with live caterpillars) • Carolina Biological Supply Company $33.07 2 $66.14
Dont Bug Me Microscope Slide Set • Carolina Biological Supply Company $36.00 1 $36.00
DD974 - Bugs & Insects Instant Learning Center • Lakeshore Learning Materials $29.99 1 $29.99
DD646 - Real Bugs Discovery Kit • Lakeshore Learning Materials $24.99 1 $24.99
Learning Resources Backyard Bugs Counters, Set Of 72 • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
LC3543 - Insects Prepared Slide Kit • Lakeshore Learning Materials $12.99 1 $12.99

Materials cost

$989.46

Vendor shipping charges

$18.36

Sales tax

$90.54

3rd party payment processing fee

$14.84

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,143.20

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$201.74

Total project goal

$1,344.94

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$1,344.94

4 Donors

-$603.85

Donations toward project cost

-$601.60

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$2.25

match offer

-$637.18

Match offer toward project cost

-$541.60

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$95.58

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$103.91

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

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

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Project Activity

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