{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Poudre Community Academy","outOfStateSupporters":25.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9869537,"letterContent":"I am so appreciative for your support of me and my classes with a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. The gift card goes a long way in developing units that are appropriate and interesting to my students.\r\n\r\nBefore the holiday, I purchased TPT resources for my forensic science class. I developed a holiday forensics unit to stretch between Thanksgiving and the winter break. One of the excellent resources was called the \"Christmas Forensic Caper.\" I used this resources as a final exam for my alternative high school students. It included various suspects with holiday names. For each, students had information on fingerprints, alibi, motive, DNA, and footwear impressions. It was perfect. I even color-printed and laminated the resource so that I can use it again next year.\r\n\r\nOne of the units units that has been positively impacted is my Coding and Robotics unit for Physical Science. I purchased a \"Winter Coding\" sheet to help my students think sequentially. I purchased a guide to that accompanies the Make Code Arcade website. The coding unit is new to me so it's helpful to be able to see what others have done with this unit.\r\n\r\nI also purchased materials about metals to accompany the STEM metalsmithing project. \r\n\r\nAnother unit that will be positively impacted is my Climate Literacy unit for chemistry. We will be graphing and analyzing data. We will learn to evaluate information so we can think scientifically about information that applies to our lives.\r\n\r\nI am so appreciative of your kindness and support. You don't even know me or my students, and yet you reach out and hold us up. Wishing you all the best!","fullyFundedDate":1763601076124,"projectUrl":"project/lifting-up-alternative-school-science/9869537/","projectTitle":"Lifting Up Alternative School Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9837693,"letterContent":"I really enjoyed bringing a metalsmithing unit to my physical science class at my alternative high school. \r\n\r\nWe began by learning some properties of metals.\r\n\r\nStudents all began by designing a copper bracelet cut. They make a pattern with permanent marker. We put tape on the back and we placed the copper into ferric chloride solution for etching them. After the metal etched, we used sandpaper to clean up the cuff. We dipped our etched copper into a patina solution called \"Liver of Sulfur\" that creates neat colors. We used sandpaper to clean it up. We coated the pieces in clear nail polish. We then bent them on a bracelet form. I think this process is amazing! \r\n\r\nAfter the etching, I taught the students to use a jeweler's saw. They learned how to replace the blades. They learned how to adjust their technique to not break blades as often! Each student chose either copper or brass for their metal. They chose an ornament pattern. After tracing the pattern, they used rubber cement to adhere the pattern to the metal. They used a bench pin and jewelers saw to saw out their figure. Some chose cats. Some chose stars. One of my students asked me to do a mole for the example! This was excellent for their hand-eye-attention (cutting copper) because it requires patience. Trying to go fast doesn't work! All students were able to use a saw to create a pattern ornament. They used files and sandpaper to make the ornament more finished. A couple of them etched the ornament. We hung them on our classroom tree when we were done. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for this opportunity to bring metalsmithing to bring more STEAM into physical science.","fullyFundedDate":1762028364676,"projectUrl":"project/steaming-along-in-physical-science/9837693/","projectTitle":"STEAMing Along in Physical Science","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9730048,"letterContent":"I really enjoyed bringing a metalsmithing unit to my physical science class at my alternative high school. \r\n\r\nWe began by learning some properties of metals.\r\n\r\nStudents all began by designing a copper bracelet cut. They make a pattern with permanent marker. We put tape on the back and we placed the copper into ferric chloride solution for etching them. After the metal etched, we used sandpaper to clean up the cuff. We dipped our etched copper into a patina solution called \"Liver of Sulfur\" that creates neat colors. We used sandpaper to clean it up. We coated the pieces in clear nail polish. We then bent them on a bracelet form. I think this process is amazing! \r\n\r\nAfter the etching, I taught the students to use a jeweler's saw. They learned how to replace the blades. They learned how to adjust their technique to not break blades as often! Each student chose either copper or brass for their metal. They chose an ornament pattern. After tracing the pattern, they used rubber cement to adhere the pattern to the metal. They used a bench pin and jewelers saw to saw out their figure. Some chose cats. Some chose stars. One of my students asked me to do a mole for the example! This was excellent for their hand-eye-attention (cutting copper) because it requires patience. Trying to go fast doesn't work! All students were able to use a saw to create a pattern ornament. They used files and sandpaper to make the ornament more finished. A couple of them etched the ornament. We hung them on our classroom tree when we were done. \r\n\r\nThank you so much for this opportunity to bring metalsmithing to bring more STEAM into physical science.","fullyFundedDate":1760659763394,"projectUrl":"project/steaming-ahead-into-metalsmithing/9730048/","projectTitle":"STEAMing Ahead Into Metalsmithing","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9304193,"letterContent":"The Veggie Volts kits were a perfect addition to our Unit 6 in Chemistry at my alternative high school. The anchor event for this unit is \"Why Can Lithium Ion Batteries Catch Fire?\" \r\n\r\nEach student kit provided three zinc and three copper electrodes to serve as a cathode and anode in a battery cell. Students used the provided multimeter to measure both the voltage and current of each battery. Potatoes served as the electrolyte from electrons to move from the zinc to the copper. Students connected the potatoes in series. Each potato was able to generate a little less than 1 volt. At least wo potatoes were needed to light an LED and to power a buzzer.\r\n\r\nThis kit was fantastic for students to change variables and to get numerical data. Variables that could be changed were distance between the electrodes, the depth into the potato, and the type of electrolyte. Students were able to see that simply using metals of two different activities is what is needed in a battery.\r\nWe used this lab in conjuction with chemical reactions of aluminum and copper, reacting a penny with acid to see the difference between copper and zinc reactivity, and watching a video from NOVA about the Search for a Super Battery. Without your donation, this activity would have been impossible to access this year. The kits are exactly what my students at an alternative high school need. I am filled with appreciation for your kindness. Wishing you all the best.","fullyFundedDate":1755699027939,"projectUrl":"project/vegetable-volts-a-chemistry-lab-experi/9304193/","projectTitle":"Vegetable Volts! a Chemistry Lab Experience in Colorado Alternative School","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9639674,"letterContent":"In the third quarter, we will be doing a unit on Climate Literacy. Students will be graphing data about carbon dioxide levels from the Mauna Loa observatory. Students will learn that carbon dioxide is a product of combustion reactions. Students will learn about various types of energy sources.\r\n\r\nAs part of this unit, my chemistry students willl be creating solar vehicles. This will be an enjoyable multi-day project for this class - typically chemistry does not make projects over several days. The kit is from Carolina science supplies. Students will have the opportunity to create a car body. They will attach wheels and a solar cell. For the sun, we will use light bulbs or hope for a warm-ish and sunny day outdoors in Colorado. (This should not be a problem.)\r\n\r\nWhen we begin our third quarter in January, the first unit in chemistry that I will teach is \"Keeping in Balance.\" Students will learn how to balance charges in formulas and then to balance chemical equations. Then we will be ready to start our Climate Literacy unit.\r\n\r\nDoing this unit will be a part of my students' working towards the Seal of Climate Literacy for the state of Colorado. \r\n\r\nI am extremely grateful for your donation, and I look forward to exploring the possibilities of solar energy with my students in the near future.","fullyFundedDate":1757801746756,"projectUrl":"project/look-on-the-sunny-side/9639674/","projectTitle":"Look On the Sunny Side!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9526387,"letterContent":"I am grateful for your kind donation of \"Scratch Off\" quiz cards to use with my class. They are called \"Immediate Feedback\" cards. They are not readily available to purchase, and so your gift is unique and new to most students.\r\n\r\nThe reason that I wanted these cards for my students is to help them actively take a quiz. The scratch-off quiz cards have been successful for me in the past to encourage discussion and pausing to think before answering a question.\r\n\r\nI have used the cards both in my chemistry and physical science classes.\r\n\r\nWhat I discovered is that my students have a difficult time in slowing down before just answering a question. They were not good at using their notes and having a discussion before just quickly answering a question. Their impulse control to just get something done is not where I want them to be! (yet)\r\n\r\nSo I now have more information to help my students. I will focus on teaching them how to use their notes. I will focus on helping them to review. I will try to help them to understand that it is okay to make mistakes while trying to do their best the first time. In a world where kids can just click a computer answer and then redo a quiz, these hands-on cards can help us to develop thinking and impulse-control skills. I personally like them much more than a computer quiz because of that immediate and physical feedback. \r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1755912470267,"projectUrl":"project/scratch-for-success/9526387/","projectTitle":"Scratch for Success!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9748005,"letterContent":"Thank you so very much for the gift of electronic balances for my science classroom at an alternative high school. We actually used them the same week that they arrived! It was perfect because we had a celebration for Mole Day (October 23rd) and we used the balances for \"counting by weighing\" and measuring out ingredients for hot choc-mole-ate! \r\n\r\nWhat was really nice about these balances were the bright screens and easy to read numbers. What is also nice is that the balances \"remembered\" that we set them to grams. (The first time we used them, we had to change the mode several times to get to grams.) The next time we turned them on, however, they came right up to grams! So that is really nice for us.\r\n\r\nWhen we started the lab, I said, \"Did you notice that we have BRAND NEW BALANCES?!\" I told them all that they were a gift for us from a donor across the country. We all feel uplifted. I am so happy to be able to do as much as we can reasonable do in an alternative high school setting in a 100+ year old building with one sink. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity. \r\n\r\nBlessings!","fullyFundedDate":1760560736848,"projectUrl":"project/science-life-needs-balance-and-digita/9748005/","projectTitle":"Science Life Needs Balance... and Digital Balances too","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9744529,"letterContent":"I am so grateful for your kindness towards my students. It is so great to be able to provide the equipment and experiences to my small alternative high school students that I had the opportunity to share with my students in suburban Chicago.\r\n\r\nThe fingerprint card holders allowed my kids to experience the correct way of taking their fingerprints. Without them, students often just push down their fingers. With the card holders, they are able to roll their fingerprints more easily. The card holders align to the edge of the table with allows their fingers to roll prints (rather than just push a print) correctly.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful that you have lifted up my and my students. It is people like you who taught me (and continue to teach me) that a \"LAB DAY!!!\" is a great day!","fullyFundedDate":1759025655575,"projectUrl":"project/hold-the-loops-whorls-and-arches/9744529/","projectTitle":"Hold the Loops, Whorls, and Arches!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9733314,"letterContent":"We had a GREAT time building our ukeleles in our sound and music unit in physical science! \r\n\r\nThe kits were of good quality. The first day we put together the body of the ukelele and the handle of the ukelele. There was a wooden peg that held them together. We put in some glue and let it sit overnight. Since we had extra time that day, everyone picked paint colors and put their own style into the ukelele.\r\n\r\nThe next class, we added the board that would hold the strings and the pieces that would hold and tighten the strings. This required a little hot glue, some screws and some patience. Learning patience and how to use a tool are two awesome learning experience for my kids. They learned that things don't always work the first time. They also learned that if you don't do things right the first time, it's going to cost you more time to fix it later one. Also a great learning lesson.\r\n\r\nThe next day, we did some fixing of mistakes. Wonderful experience!\r\n\r\nWe put on strings. Tying a knot was a lesson on this day. Paying attention to what string goes where was another lesson. And we went back to \"if you don't do it right the first time, you'll have to fix it.\" We started to tune our ukeleles with a phone app to the G C E A notes. (\"Goats Can Eat Anything\") I laughed when one girl said \"Can we all just spread out?\" so we could get them tuned? The same girl asked about the ukeleles and what we'd be doing the next day in class. I said that it was a block day and we didn't have class on Thursday. She said she was looking forward to class because she had fun in class. I bought a pack of digital tuners so each kid can tune their ukelele without my phone.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support of my students. They will be able to take their projects home when we are all done. \r\n\r\nIt was a wonderful project for both me and my students!","fullyFundedDate":1758809953979,"projectUrl":"project/you-all-ukelele/9733314/","projectTitle":"YOU All Ukelele!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9712612,"letterContent":"It was truly wonderful to have the fluorescent fingerprint powders and feather brushes available to my science students in forensic science. People see all the flashy CSI type shows with fingerprint \"matches\" and so on. In my class, the students were tasked with trying various types of powders and various types of brushes. I took out my ultraviolet flashlights and had kids use oblique lighting. This was especially important for the fluorescent powders. The best surface that we used for the fluorescent powders was aluminum foil because the prints really popped with the UV light. I expected my favorite color of powder to be the pink, but actually the orange fluorescent was my favorite for the day.\r\n\r\nI also invested in some make-up containers and plastic pouches to hold the fluorescent powders and their brushes. I put the powder into the powdered make up container. With the sifter, they only get a little bit of powder at a time. These containers helped us to stay organized, allowed us to use only the amount of powder that was needed, and it will keep the materials in great shape moving forward.\r\n\r\nWe had one block day so far with our fingerprint powders. I do plan on bringing them out if cases involve fingerprint evidence. We will also be continuing with footwear impressions. I'd like to try out the powders after we put our footwear impressions (sprayed with a little bit of oil or wax) on some large paper. \r\n\r\nThank you for giving me the opportunity to give my kids the chance to explore different kinds of fingerprint powders. They did a nice job taking care of the equipment. They were eager to try the different colors and compare the results of different powders.\r\n\r\nI am so grateful for your support and your encouragement. I wish you happy forensic-ing!","fullyFundedDate":1758203510859,"projectUrl":"project/fluorescent-forensic-fingerprinting/9712612/","projectTitle":"Fluorescent Forensic Fingerprinting","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":3637751,"projectId":9458385,"letterContent":"In my physical science class, our first unit was \"Polymers.\" I chose this as the first unit because it is a fun science topic with many hands-on activities.\r\n\r\nThe students were intrigued by the polyurethane foam kit. They mixed small amounts of two liquids. The liquids produced a foam which grew and then hardened. We first made \"milkshakes\" of polyurethane in cups. Students used the polyurethane to make a cat and a spider for their final project. Since we had a little solution left, we filled up Halloween \"potion\" bottles and have Halloween decorations containing the polyurethane foam.\r\n\r\nThis was definitely a great activity, and we are very grateful for your support of this unit.","fullyFundedDate":1754079407850,"projectUrl":"project/poly-want-a-fun-class/9458385/","projectTitle":"“Poly” Want A Fun Class?","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sue Bober (Science Teacher)","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3637751_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1727051962100","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3637751"},{"teacherId":4395823,"projectId":9448128,"letterContent":"Thanks to your generosity, our vision for a more welcoming and functional shared space has become a reality and the impact has been immediate.\r\n\r\nOur once-bare, high-traffic hallway has transformed into a warm, inviting hub of connection. Students and staff are naturally drawn to the new seating and furniture you helped fund. Throughout the day, the space hums with activity! Students chatting with friends, eating lunch, reading quietly, or working on assignments outside the classroom.\r\n\r\nIt's also become a favorite spot before and after school, offering a comfortable, functional environment for students in our enrichment programs to gather, study, and socialize. One of the best surprises has been seeing both students and staff collaborate over a community puzzle — a simple addition that's brought smiles, conversation, and teamwork to the heart of our building.\r\n\r\nYour support did more than improve furniture — it transformed the feeling of our school. You helped create a place that encourages belonging, relaxation, and authentic connection every day.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and in the power of environment to shape community.","fullyFundedDate":1753924928814,"projectUrl":"project/environmental-wellness-influencing-the/9448128/","projectTitle":"Environmental Wellness = Influencing the Spaces We Occupy","teacherDisplayName":"Mx. Melinda","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4395823_orig.jpg?crop=959,959,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1752040797945","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/melinda-phipps"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_70837","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":212,"numTeachers":10,"percentFrplEligible":64,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":2,"percentWhite":41,"percentIndigenous":1,"percentLatinx":49,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"8 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"21.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_MIDSIZE"},"inStateSupporters":75.0,"schoolId":70837,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Poudre Community Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Poudre Community Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/colorado/poudre-school-district/poudre-transition-center-fullana/70837"}