My students need 10 "frictionless" cars to learn force and motion concepts.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. James's classroom raised $205
This project is fully funded
My Students
How can I make physical science meaningful and fun for my fifth grade students? I use toy cars. For this project I want to use a toy called a the Hall's car. This lightweight, nearly frictionless car is ideal for not only studying friction, but balanced and unbalanced forces as well.
My school, a pre k to eighth grade school, is one of the highest poverty schools in my school district.
I teach science to fifth and sixth graders. My students participate in a variety of student-centered hands-on activities. Too many of my students are at risk of performing below grade level across subject areas. I am committed to closing the achievement gap for my students. To accomplish this, I offer students an enriched learning environment by integrating science into other subject areas and teaching students to use digital tools to enhance their science learning. My students benefit from using toys to learn science. This project will help me build upon a unit in which students use K'NEX building toys to construct vehicles and then use those vehicles to explore force and motion concepts. "
My Project
Can you imagine a world without friction? I am requesting funds to purchase ten Hall's cars or "frictionless" cars to help my students do just that. I know if my fifth graders use these "toys" to master important state standards related to force and motion. I learned about this teaching tool at a workshop for teachers. Once I used the "frictionless" car to deepen my understanding balance and unbalanced forces, I knew I had to use this learning tool with my students. My students will use these cars in labs, collect data, and then create lab reports that include data tables and graphs. Now that is STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in action! Imagine fifth graders in a high poverty school participating in that type of learning!
It is not hard for me to imagine, because I tell my students frequently that they are worth it.
I just need the resources to continue to make it happen. Yes, I spend a significant amount of my personal funds to make learning come alive for my students, but I also know that I can count on donors like you to help. Zoom, zoom, let's make physical science meaningful for my fifth graders. Like, I always tell my students, they are worth it.
More than three‑quarters 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 Ms. James and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.