My middle school students love science! They are eager and excited to find solutions for current world issues. Our science curriculum provides my students with many opportunities to learn science using the inquiry process by asking questions and investigating to find answers. Ultimately, they will investigate scientific concepts that will lead them to find solutions to problems that exist today and may exist in the future.
Our inquiry science class is an engaging and exciting opportunity for my students to be introduced to STEM career paths.
In order to create the best possible learning environment for my students, I begin by helping them to develop a growth mindset and an understanding of how empathy can lead to more impactful and innovative solutions to the problems they are trying to solve. This enables them to consider the perspectives of others in their solutions creating the best possible circumstances to improve the world we live in!
My school has a diverse population of students and is located in the center of Billings.
I am so glad you stopped by our DonorsChoose.org page. Thank you for supporting my classroom!
My Project
My physical science students study thermal energy using Amplify Science curriculum but they do not have a hands-on way to see thermal energy in the real world. A thermal imaging camera will provide me the necessary means to show my students thermal energy in the real-world as we study thermal energy in physical science. Since we know girls lose interest in STEM learning opportunities and, thus, STEM careers as they enter high school, I will use this fun connection of a thermal imaging camera to introduce career fields in STEM, like aerospace and engineering, too. The video's from the IF/THEN collection that I am excited to use are : "Dr. Dawn Shaughnessy-Nuclear Chemist" and "Xyla Foxlin-Mechatronics Engineer."
We will use this camera to view thermal energy around us, one is example is we will observe the differences of hot water in a thin plastic cup compared to a ceramic mug using the FLIR thermal imaging camera.
By seeing thermal energy using this FLIR camera, students will be able to apply what they are reading and studying in Science to what they experience in their daily lives. Using hands-on extensions to our studies provides necessary connections to the concept at hand.
This camera will provide such a fun connection for my students to our thermal energy unit and a pathway to discuss STEM careers that will hopefully peak the interest of all of students to pursue STEM careers, especially girls who tend to lose interest by this age.
I was inspired by several IF/THEN collection resources including, Women in STEM Exploration, Doing What Scientists Do: This Is What Science Looks Like!, and If We Build Up Girls, Then We All Win.
Half of 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
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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. Leffler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
