{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Desert Vista High School","outOfStateSupporters":28.9,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9306961,"letterContent":"hanks to your generosity, our classroom is now stocked with essential supplies that support everyday learning and hands-on science activities. Items like folders, colored pencils, dry-erase pockets, bulletin board materials, and organizational tools are being used daily to keep our classroom running smoothly and to help students stay engaged. These basics make it easier for students to take notes, organize work, collaborate in lab stations, and express their ideas visually — all of which are vital in a science class where learning is best when it's interactive and hands-on.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, students were genuinely excited to see how these materials would make our classroom a better place to learn. They immediately began using the resources to set up lab stations, organize handouts, and decorate our science boards with student work. It's been wonderful to see them take ownership of their learning environment and feel prepared for each lesson without barriers like missing materials.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, these classroom supplies will continue to support students throughout the school year — whether we're working on experiments, group projects, or daily review activities. By having these tools readily available, students can focus more on mastering science concepts and less on finding what they need, which boosts both confidence and learning outcomes. We are deeply grateful for your support — you've helped create a more organized, engaging, and successful learning environment for every student who walks through our door.","fullyFundedDate":1746500480471,"projectUrl":"project/classroom-supplies/9306961/","projectTitle":"Classroom Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9114225,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generous support, our biology students now have access to the best physical simulation of the central dogma of molecular biology available. This hands-on model kit — with foam nucleic acids and pull-through proteins that clearly demonstrate replication, transcription, and translation — has completely transformed the way students interact with this abstract concept. Instead of only reading about how DNA becomes RNA and then protein, they're physically building and manipulating the components themselves, which deepens their understanding and makes learning memorable.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first arrived, students were immediately engaged and curious. They eagerly unpacked the pieces, collaborated to assemble the models, and excitedly compared how each step of the central dogma works in real time. Students who previously felt confused by diagrams in textbooks are now confidently describing how genetic information flows and demonstrating it to classmates. Their excitement and confidence in discussing complex biology concepts has grown noticeably because of these materials.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, this kit will continue to be a cornerstone of our genetics and molecular biology lessons. Students will use it as a reference during labs, in group presentations, and while preparing for Advanced Biology courses or college-level work. Because they've had this physical, interactive experience, they're better prepared to tackle more sophisticated topics in genetics and biotechnology, and many have expressed interest in pursuing STEM areas in the future. We are incredibly grateful for your support — you've helped make science come alive in our classroom!","fullyFundedDate":1746786153921,"projectUrl":"project/the-best-central-dogma-physical-simulati/9114225/","projectTitle":"The Best Central Dogma Physical Simulation on the Market","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":8353976,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our biology classroom is now fully stocked with the everyday supplies our students need to be successful. Items like pencils, colored pencils, tape, tissues, and storage supplies are being used daily as students build diagrams, label models, take notes, and complete labs. Having these basics available has taken away barriers to learning — students can now dive into assignments without having to hunt for materials or share limited resources with classmates.\r\n\r\nWhen the supplies first arrived, my students were genuinely thrilled. They immediately organized the materials, set up their own workstations, and even commented on how nice it felt to have tools that helped them do their best work. One student told me, \"Now I don't have to worry about not having what I need — I can focus on learning!\" Seeing their excitement and confidence grow has been incredibly rewarding.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, the impact of your support will only continue. These supplies will be used throughout the year in hands-on activities, group projects, and everyday learning — helping students stay engaged and prepared. With a fully stocked classroom, I can focus more on teaching and less on managing shortages, and students feel empowered to take ownership of their education. We are deeply grateful for the support you've shown our class and for helping create a better learning environment for each student.","fullyFundedDate":1715147594062,"projectUrl":"project/class-supplies-for-biology/8353976/","projectTitle":"Class Supplies for Biology","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":8179130,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our students are actively using the new pickleball equipment during club meetings and practice sessions. The paddles, balls, and nets have allowed us to run structured games, skill drills, and mini-tournaments so that students of all experience levels can participate. One of the best moments was watching students who had never played before quickly gain confidence as they learned the rules, practiced serves, and worked together as teammates.\r\n\r\nWhen the equipment first arrived, students were genuinely excited and eager to jump in right away. Many of them had heard of pickleball but had never had the chance to try it, so being able to set up full courts made the experience feel official and special. Students immediately began helping set up the nets, comparing paddles, and encouraging one another, creating a welcoming and energetic environment.\r\n\r\nMoving forward, students will continue developing their skills while focusing on sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy physical activity. We plan to expand practice sessions, introduce strategy-based gameplay, and host friendly competitions that allow students to apply what they've learned. Your support has given our students a fun, active outlet and a sense of belonging, and we are so grateful for the opportunities you've made possible.","fullyFundedDate":1713375776765,"projectUrl":"project/pickleball-equipment/8179130/","projectTitle":"Pickleball Equipment","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":7535800,"projectId":9119356,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my classroom now has reusable learning tools that students interact with every single day. The laminator you helped provide has transformed how students engage with content by allowing me to create durable card sorts, hexagonal thinking activities, and interactive manipulatives that can be reused across classes, units, and school years.\r\n\r\nStudents are using these laminated materials during collaborative activities where they organize concepts, make connections, and justify their reasoning. For example, during hexagonal thinking activities, students physically arrange and rearrange ideas to show relationships between concepts, which leads to deeper discussion and clearer understanding. Card sorts have been especially powerful during review and intervention time, giving students a low-stress way to practice vocabulary, processes, and cause-and-effect relationships.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they immediately wanted to touch them, move them, and start sorting. There was a noticeable shift in engagement. Instead of passively waiting for answers, students leaned in, debated choices, and explained their thinking to one another. Many commented that it felt more like solving a puzzle than completing an assignment, which helped boost confidence and participation, especially for students who struggle with traditional worksheets.\r\n\r\nThese reusable tools are now a staple in our classroom routines. Because the materials can be wiped clean and reused, students can revise their thinking, learn from mistakes, and try again without starting over. This flexibility supports active learning, collaboration, and problem-solving. All essential skills in science and beyond.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue using these manipulatives to support upcoming units, review for assessments, and reinforce complex topics through hands-on practice. The laminator will allow me to keep expanding our collection of reusable resources, ensuring that future students benefit as well.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a more interactive, sustainable, and student-centered learning environment. Thank you for making learning more engaging not just for one lesson, but for years to come.","fullyFundedDate":1744033065292,"projectUrl":"project/reusable-learning-tools-and-manipulative/9119356/","projectTitle":"Reusable Learning Tools and Manipulatives","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Forget","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7535800_orig.jpg?crop=1872,1872,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600102519468","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7535800"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9252097,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of micropipettes to our high school biology class! The students will be thrilled to use these professional tools as they dive into hands-on lab work that mimics real-world scientific research. One highlight will be our DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis lab, where students use the micropipettes to load DNA samples with precision—something we couldn't have done accurately before. It was incredible to see their confidence grow as they mastered the techniques used by real scientists. These tools have elevated the quality of our labs and deepened students' understanding of molecular biology concepts.\r\n\r\nWhen the micropipettes first arrived, my students were amazed. Some had only seen them in textbooks, so getting to handle them firsthand was a huge moment. Many couldn't believe we had such professional-grade equipment in our classroom! Your support has opened the door to richer, more meaningful science experiences, and we're so grateful you helped make this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746786423618,"projectUrl":"project/micropipettes-unlocking-biotech-in-biol/9252097/","projectTitle":"Micropipettes: Unlocking Biotech in Biology","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9252072,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of micropipettes to our high school biology class! The students will be thrilled to use these professional tools as they dive into hands-on lab work that mimics real-world scientific research. One highlight will be our DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis lab, where students use the micropipettes to load DNA samples with precision—something we couldn't have done accurately before. It was incredible to see their confidence grow as they mastered the techniques used by real scientists. These tools have elevated the quality of our labs and deepened students' understanding of molecular biology concepts.\r\n\r\nWhen the micropipettes first arrived, my students were amazed. Some had only seen them in textbooks, so getting to handle them firsthand was a huge moment. Many couldn't believe we had such professional-grade equipment in our classroom! Your support has opened the door to richer, more meaningful science experiences, and we're so grateful you helped make this possible.","fullyFundedDate":1746786423474,"projectUrl":"project/micropipettes-unlocking-biotech-in-biol/9252072/","projectTitle":"Micropipettes: Unlocking Biotech in Biology","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9252111,"letterContent":"The addition of the water distiller, ice maker, and water jugs has significantly boosted our high school biology lab's sustainability and functionality. My students and I are now able to prepare clean, distilled water for various experiments without relying on single-use plastic bottles. For example, during our osmosis lab, students used the distilled water to create controlled environments for observing how our \"cells\" respond to different solute concentrations. The ice maker will be particularly helpful during our enzyme activity experiments, where maintaining cold temperatures was essential for comparing reaction rates under varying thermal conditions. Having the water jugs on hand also ensures we can easily transport and store clean water for longer-term projects.\r\n\r\nWhen the students first saw the new materials, their excitement was immediate and genuine. Many of them commented on how \"professional\" the lab felt and were quick to ask questions about how each item worked and why we needed them. It sparked an impromptu discussion on lab safety, sustainability, and the importance of resource efficiency in scientific research — a moment that turned into an unexpected teaching opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1746773394898,"projectUrl":"project/sustainable-labs/9252111/","projectTitle":"Sustainable Labs","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":7298633,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible support in bringing the Link Energy Quest Game into our classroom! Your kindness and investment in our students have truly made a difference—not just in our learning, but in our excitement for science and sustainability.\r\nSince the game arrived, we've incorporated it into our cellular energy unit. The students use it in small groups during learning stations, exploring concepts like renewable energy, energy transfers, and conservation. It's been especially powerful in helping them connect these ideas to real-world challenges.\r\nYour contribution has created meaningful, lasting impact—not just by adding resources, but by helping us bring learning to life. Thank you again for believing in our classroom. We're so grateful!","fullyFundedDate":1682456523549,"projectUrl":"project/link-energy-quest-game/7298633/","projectTitle":"Link Energy Quest Game","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"},{"teacherId":7535800,"projectId":9107742,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, my students were able to experience science in a truly hands-on and memorable way through our SPF sunscreen lab using UV-sensitive beads. Instead of just reading about ultraviolet radiation and sunscreen labels, students actively tested how well different SPF levels protect against UV exposure. They designed simple investigations, applied various sunscreens to UV beads, and compared how quickly and intensely the beads changed color when exposed to sunlight.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials first came out, the reaction was immediate \"Wait... these change color in the sun?\" Students were genuinely excited to test their predictions and see real-time results. Watching the beads turn purple without sunscreen and stay nearly white with higher SPF made the concept click instantly. Even students who are usually hesitant in lab settings were eager to participate, record data, and explain what they were seeing. It sparked great discussions about why SPF numbers matter, how sunscreen actually works, and why reapplication is necessary.\r\n\r\nOne of the most powerful moments came when students compared low SPF versus high SPF protection and realized that \"a little protection\" isn't the same as \"effective protection.\" That led naturally into conversations about skin cancer prevention, real-world health choices, and evaluating product claims using evidence which is exactly the kind of scientific thinking we want students to practice.\r\n\r\nNext, students are using the data from this lab to strengthen their experimental design and analysis skills. They are graphing results, writing evidence-based conclusions, and connecting their findings to current lessons on radiation, health, and environmental exposure. The UV beads and sunscreen will continue to be reused for future classes, allowing many more students to learn through the same engaging, inquiry-based experience.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, science felt real, relevant, and exciting for my students and that impact will last far beyond this single lab. Thank you for giving my classroom this opportunity.","fullyFundedDate":1739373218285,"projectUrl":"project/sunscreen-spf-effectiveness-lab-supplies/9107742/","projectTitle":"Sunscreen Spf Effectiveness Lab Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Forget","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7535800_orig.jpg?crop=1872,1872,x0,y93&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1600102519468","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7535800"},{"teacherId":8375666,"projectId":9080003,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and contributing to the learning that's occurring in my classroom. My students and I have loved using the magnetic centromeres and beads to simulate mitosis and meiosis. Using this resource, we can visually see and manipulate \"chromosomes\" to learn what is going on in our cells.\r\n\r\nMy students were so surprised and excited to see they got a hands on experience after long lectures about cell division. They told me that going through this process has help them understand how the chromosomes and cell changes in each stage and how that leads to cell division.\r\n\r\nWith gratitude,\r\nMs. Ressler","fullyFundedDate":1739373212565,"projectUrl":"project/simulating-cell-division/9080003/","projectTitle":"Simulating Cell Division","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Ressler","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8375666_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1680761491414","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8375666"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_62353","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":2798,"numTeachers":126,"percentFrplEligible":49,"percentAsian":6,"percentBlack":6,"percentWhite":50,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":26,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"22.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.1,"schoolId":62353,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Desert Vista High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Desert Vista High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/tempe-union-high-school-district-213/desert-vista-high-school/62353"}