{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gowan Science Academy","outOfStateSupporters":20.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3896488,"projectId":9982259,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our soccer program and helping provide opportunities for our students to grow both on and off the field. Many of our students were incredibly excited when they first saw the new equipment and supplies. For some of them, this was their first experience being part of an organized team sport, and having proper soccer equipment made them feel valued, confident, and motivated to participate.\r\n\r\nThe new resources have helped us create more structured and engaging practices where students can build skills such as teamwork, communication, perseverance, and leadership. During practices, students have been able to rotate through drills, work together during scrimmages, and improve their ball control, passing, and conditioning. One of my favorite moments was seeing students encourage one another during drills and celebrate each other's progress, even after mistakes. The equipment has helped create a positive environment where students feel safe trying new skills and growing as athletes.\r\n\r\nBeyond soccer skills, this project has helped students develop confidence, responsibility, and school pride. Many of our students look forward to practices after school because it gives them a sense of belonging and connection. We will continue using these materials throughout the season to help students stay active, build healthy habits, and learn important life lessons through sportsmanship and teamwork. Thank you again for investing in our students and making these meaningful experiences possible.","fullyFundedDate":1769005083685,"projectUrl":"project/building-confidence-through-girls-socce/9982259/","projectTitle":"Building Confidence Through Girls’ Soccer","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Espinoza","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp3896488_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1504482127428","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/wespinoza"},{"teacherId":9118613,"projectId":9851409,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our agricultural education program through this project. Because of your generosity, our students now have the tools and resources they need to truly bring their learning to life in our school garden.\r\n\r\nWhen the materials arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to open everything, organize the new supplies, and start using the tools right away. What stood out most was their sense of pride; they recognized that this was their garden, and these were tools that would help them take care of it. Many of them jumped in without hesitation, volunteering to set up shelves, sort equipment, and plan what needed to be done next.\r\n\r\nWe are already putting everything to use. Students have begun preparing and maintaining our garden beds using the new tools, learning firsthand about soil health, weed management, and proper cultivation techniques. Even the storage materials have made a difference. Students are taking ownership of keeping our space organized, which has helped create a more productive and respectful work environment.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, students will continue building on this momentum as we move into planting and monitoring crops. They will be tracking plant growth, experimenting with soil amendments like coco coir, and learning how to manage a garden from seed to harvest. These experiences are helping them develop not only agricultural skills, but also teamwork, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for where food comes from.\r\n\r\nYour support has created opportunities that simply wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Thank you for investing in my students and giving them a space where they can grow, learn, and take pride in their work.","fullyFundedDate":1767643877703,"projectUrl":"project/cultivating-curiosity-hands-on-learning/9851409/","projectTitle":"Cultivating Curiosity: Hands-On Learning in the Gator Garden","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Childs","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9118613_orig.jpg?crop=2400,2400,x0,y104&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1762542189185","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9118613"},{"teacherId":8816568,"projectId":9863666,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support of my project, \"Constructing Creativity With Construction Paper.\" Because of your kindness, our classrooms have been transformed into vibrant, hands-on creative spaces where imagination can truly flourish.\r\n\r\nThanks to your donations, we were able to fund construction paper for over 600 students across kindergarten through 5th grade. These materials have already been used in more than 80 different projects, ranging from colorful mosaics and creative collages to a wide variety of painted artworks. Each project has given students the opportunity to explore, experiment, and express themselves in meaningful ways.\r\n\r\nWith the wide assortment of construction paper you provided, my students now have the opportunity to explore their creativity in ways that were not previously possible. These experiences foster not only artistic expression, but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.\r\n\r\nYour support goes far beyond supplies—you have helped build confidence, spark joy, and inspire a love of learning in hundreds of young students. Many of them light up when given the chance to create something uniquely their own, and that sense of pride is invaluable.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in my students and for investing in their growth. Your generosity has made a lasting difference in our classrooms, and we are incredibly grateful.","fullyFundedDate":1767643877990,"projectUrl":"project/constructing-creativity-with-constructio/9863666/","projectTitle":"Constructing Creativity With Construction Paper","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lancaster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8816568_orig.jpg?crop=1205,1205,x0,y124&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1761675706697","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8816568"},{"teacherId":10334273,"projectId":9861652,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in my \"Investigator & Creators DonorsChoose project. Your donation directly impacted 26 gifted students in 3rd through 5th grade and made it possible to bring our entire 3rd quarter forensic science unit to life. Because of you, students explored what forensic science is through hands-on experiences like fingerprint labs, shoe impression analysis, and even binary code activities. Each student created their own fingerprints and impressions, learning how science can be used to solve real-world problems in meaningful and exciting ways.\r\n\r\nWe ended the quarter with an unforgettable experience—our first-ever gifted program field trip, right on our school grounds. Students worked in pairs with assigned roles such as Lead Investigators, Photographers, and Crime Scene Technicians to solve a staged parking lot crime scene. They learned how to examine evidence, interview witnesses, document findings, and analyze data back in our \"lab,\" using their own prints as part of an internal database. It was incredible to watch them think critically, form theories, collaborate, and confidently discuss their ideas. Your generosity made this powerful, engaging learning experience possible, and it is something they will remember for years to come. Thank you for believing in our students and supporting their growth.","fullyFundedDate":1767643878045,"projectUrl":"project/investigator-creators-hands-on-project/9861652/","projectTitle":"Investigator & Creators Hands-on Projects","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Lewis","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10334273"},{"teacherId":9017258,"projectId":9883151,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your incredible generosity toward our DonorsChoose project. Thanks to your support, each of my students now have access to cooking and baking materials. \r\n\r\nWe are able to have new electives for our middle school students to open up the possibilities for students to grow their knowledge and skills in the kitchen. Seeing their excitement and steady excitement has been a highlight of electives this year.\r\n\r\nWe deeply appreciate your commitment to our classroom and to the learning of each child. Your gift is making a lasting impact.","fullyFundedDate":1763498238259,"projectUrl":"project/culinary-creations/9883151/","projectTitle":"Culinary Creations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Lakey","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9017258_orig.jpg?crop=691,691,x369,y456&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1688250005084","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9017258"},{"teacherId":2329443,"projectId":9899425,"letterContent":"I want to express my deepest gratitude for the new DSLR cameras and the photography curriculum you provided for our middle schoolers. These tools have allowed my students to move beyond their phones and dive into the mechanics of professional imaging.\r\n\r\nSo far, we have mastered aperture and depth of field, created stunning portraits, and explored the fascinating history of photography. Your generosity has turned our classroom into a hands-on studio where 6th–8th graders are gaining real-world skills and artistic confidence. Thank you for making this possible!","fullyFundedDate":1767643738865,"projectUrl":"project/new-cameras-curriculum-for-young-photo/9899425/","projectTitle":"New Cameras & Curriculum for Young Photographers","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaste","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2329443_orig.jpg?crop=2669,2670,x0,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778513312276","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kaste"},{"teacherId":1744246,"projectId":9884157,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous donation! Mr. Beard McStuffy Pants (sometimes he can be a little dramatic) is LOVING his new enclosure! Because of your donation, we were able to secure a much larger enclosure along with a safer option of flooring covering. We are working with him so that he can walk on his new leash. It's a process that he's not too sure about yet, but we will get there. Along with other donations from myself and some of our parents, we were able to deck out the enclosure and give him a better life to grow and be happy. When he's not soaking up the rays of his new UVB lamp, basking on his newly created basking area, or taking a swim in his much bigger pool, he's out visiting students in our classroom. I have started taking him on adventures to our kindergarten & first grade classrooms using the travel case that was purchased with your donation. We are excited to see him being adventurous in his new home and look forward to seeing him thrive!","fullyFundedDate":1767643878084,"projectUrl":"project/the-dragons-lair/9884157/","projectTitle":"The Dragon’s Lair","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Sickle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1744246_orig.jpg?crop=662,662,x96,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625861671953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-vansickle"},{"teacherId":9152500,"projectId":9632181,"letterContent":"The addition of the iMac and microphones to our video production class has transformed the way my students learn and create. With the iMac, students have access to professional-grade editing software that lets them produce high-quality videos, just like the ones they see online. The microphones have dramatically improved the sound quality of their projects, making their work look and sound more polished and professional.\r\n\r\nMy students are especially excited about the chance to use similar equipment that professionals use in the film and media industry. For many, this is their first experience working with advanced technology, and it's opened their eyes to new possibilities for careers and creativity.\r\n\r\nYour support has not only given my students new tools, but also new aspirations. They are eager to learn, collaborate, and share their stories in creative ways. Thank you for giving them the resources they need to succeed!","fullyFundedDate":1759611719789,"projectUrl":"project/broadcasting-brilliance-building-a-stud/9632181/","projectTitle":"Broadcasting Brilliance: Building a Student Studio","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Yu","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9152500_orig.jpg?crop=544,544,x256,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1691033947989","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9152500"},{"teacherId":1744246,"projectId":9445354,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom project. Because of you, science has truly come to life for my students in ways that textbooks alone could never achieve.\r\n\r\nHow we are using the new resources:\r\nMy students and I are actively using the new kits and materials across Earth & Space, Life, and Physical Science units. The Mineral Identification Kit, along with fossil and arthropod specimens, allows students to investigate Earth's history firsthand as they classify minerals, observe fossils, and analyze physical properties. The prepared microscope slides and the molecular model kit will help my students visualize microscopic life processes and chemical structures that are otherwise invisible. In physical science, tools like the wave machine, catapult, and torque feeler enable students to observe forces, motion, and energy in action. The genetics kits have brought heredity to life as students analyze real corn traits and apply Mendelian genetics concepts.\r\n\r\nHow did my student react? \r\nWhen the materials first arrived, the excitement was immediate. Students were eager to open the kits, ask questions, and begin exploring. Many expressed amazement at being able to handle real scientific tools—examining specimens under microscopes, building molecular models, and experimenting with physics equipment. I heard comments like, \"This feels like a real science lab!\" Their enthusiasm and engagement have been noticeable during every hands-on investigation.\r\n\r\nWhat's next for our students?\r\nThanks to your support, students are now moving into deeper inquiry-based lessons. In our current units, they are designing mini-investigations using the physics kits to test variables such as force and motion, while others are applying their mineral identification skills to real-world problem-solving scenarios. In life science, students used the genetics kits to analyze data, make predictions, and explain inheritance patterns using evidence. These next steps emphasize critical thinking, collaboration, and scientific reasoning—skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has transformed our classroom into a space of discovery and wonder. By putting authentic science tools directly into students' hands, you have helped foster curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of complex scientific concepts. Thank you for giving my students the opportunity to experience science as scientists do.","fullyFundedDate":1759611718822,"projectUrl":"project/hands-on-science-engineering-experienc/9445354/","projectTitle":"Hands-on Science & Engineering Experiences for Middle School Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Sickle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1744246_orig.jpg?crop=662,662,x96,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625861671953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-vansickle"},{"teacherId":1744246,"projectId":9445307,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of my classroom. Because of you, my students now have access to real scientific tools that are transforming how they learn and experience science every day.\r\n\r\nWe are actively using the new resources during hands-on investigations across our science units. The collision track and inertial balance have allowed students to explore Newton's Laws through direct observation rather than just reading about them. Spring scales, thermometers, and triple-beam balances are being used regularly to collect accurate data, helping students practice measurement, comparison, and analysis. Tools like the ping pong launcher and litmus paper have made abstract concepts such as projectile motion and chemical reactions exciting and tangible. From testing boiling points to measuring force and mass, each piece of equipment empowers students to investigate core science principles through experimentation.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, their excitement was immediate and genuine. Many had never used \"real\" lab equipment before, and they were eager to ask questions, make predictions, and begin testing their ideas. Several students commented that they felt like \"real scientists,\" which has boosted both their confidence and curiosity. Engagement during science lessons has increased noticeably, with students more willing to collaborate, problem-solve, and explain their thinking using evidence.\r\n\r\nNext, students will continue applying these tools as we move deeper into lessons in Earth & Space, Life, and Physical Sciences. They will design and conduct investigations focused on forces and motion, properties of matter, energy transfer, and the scientific method. Students will analyze data, refine experiments, and connect their findings to real-world applications. These resources will also support long-term projects where students practice forming hypotheses, recording observations, and drawing conclusions based on evidence.\r\n\r\nOur goal is to build strong, hands-on understanding across all science disciplines, and your generosity has made that possible. By using authentic lab equipment, students are gaining confidence in STEM, strengthening their analytical thinking skills, and discovering that science is something they can actively do, not just learn about.\r\n\r\nThank you for giving my students this opportunity. Your support has made a lasting impact on our classroom and on the future scientists growing within it.","fullyFundedDate":1759611719898,"projectUrl":"project/tools-for-scientific-learning/9445307/","projectTitle":"Tools for Scientific Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Van Sickle","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1744246_orig.jpg?crop=662,662,x96,y147&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1625861671953","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/ms-vansickle"},{"teacherId":2329443,"projectId":9427066,"letterContent":"Thanks to this project, my 8th grade civics students are learning how to connect the past to the present in meaningful, concrete ways. The Scholastic News magazines allow students to dig deeper into current events than our daily news show alone can provide. Through close reading of these articles, students practice essential literacy skills like identifying claims, analyzing evidence, and understanding perspective—skills that are critical in civics but also transfer across all subjects. Many of the articles also include maps, charts, and graphs, giving students valuable practice with geographic and data interpretation skills that are often overlooked in a civics classroom.\r\n\r\nReading in my classroom now looks active and purposeful. Students annotate articles, discuss how modern issues connect to historical events or constitutional principles, and use evidence from the text to support their thinking during class discussions and writing tasks. These resources have helped students move beyond surface-level opinions and into more informed, thoughtful conversations about what's happening in the world and why it matters.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful outcomes of this project is that its impact extended beyond my own classroom. Because the magazines are reusable, I was able to share them with another teacher on campus, more than doubling the number of students who benefited from this resource. My students feel empowered engaging with \"real\" news written at their level, and your generosity helped make civic learning relevant, accessible, and engaging for all of them. Thank you for supporting their growth as readers, thinkers, and informed citizens.","fullyFundedDate":1759611719419,"projectUrl":"project/from-history-to-headlines-connecting-th/9427066/","projectTitle":"From History to Headlines: Connecting the Past to Today","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Kaste","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2329443_orig.jpg?crop=2669,2670,x0,y186&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1778513312276","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-kaste"},{"teacherId":8528303,"projectId":9835034,"letterContent":"When the materials first arrived, my students were beyond excited. Their immediate reactions were wide eyes, big smiles, and a flood of questions like, \"When do we get to use this?\" and \"Can we start today?\" They felt proud knowing that people outside our classroom believed in them and cared about their learning. That sense of support made them even more motivated to do their best work.\r\nCreativity students have been able to bring their imaginations to life through hands-on sculpture projects, including creating their own alebrijes and working with clay. Students designed original mythical creatures by combining animal traits, planning patterns, and thinking carefully about balance, texture, and symbolism. One powerful moment was watching students revise their clay work after it dried—learning that creativity often involves patience, problem-solving, and trying again.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your constant dedication in helping Gowan students be successful!","fullyFundedDate":1761404151246,"projectUrl":"project/sculpt-print-create-bringing-hands-on/9835034/","projectTitle":"Sculpt, Print, Create! Bringing Hands-On Art to Life","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Popovic","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8528303_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1751186584606","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8528303"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_106733","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":771,"numTeachers":15,"percentFrplEligible":21,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":28,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":65,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"51.4:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_SMALL"},"inStateSupporters":79.7,"schoolId":106733,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gowan Science Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gowan Science Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/crane-elementary-school-district/gowan-science-academy/106733"}