{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Comstock Park High School","outOfStateSupporters":28.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9558303,"projectId":9114183,"letterContent":"Our new thermal cycler has completely transformed the level of excitement and ambition in our classroom. Students recognize it as the cornerstone of modern molecular biology — a tool used every day in research and biotechnology labs around the world. When they first saw it, they couldn't believe that our school now had the capability to perform real PCR, a process they had only read about before.\r\n\r\nThis semester, students will begin using the thermal cycler to amplify DNA in preparation for genetic analysis. In the future, it will be central to our library preparation for DNA sequencing experiments, including an ambitious student-led project to perform whole genome sequencing of a new species. The idea that they could be the first to ever discover those DNA sequences has captured their imagination and sparked incredible engagement and curiosity.\r\n\r\nHaving this equipment in our lab is more than just access to a machine — it's a symbol of what's possible. It shows students that our school is investing in authentic, cutting-edge science, and it empowers them to dream bigger and pursue careers in biotechnology, genetics, and bioinformatics.","fullyFundedDate":1746786526445,"projectUrl":"project/discovering-biology-with-modern-genetic/9114183/","projectTitle":"Discovering Biology With Modern Genetic Tools","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9558303_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717296660886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-hall-at-cp"},{"teacherId":9558303,"projectId":9113392,"letterContent":"Our new autoclave has already become a centerpiece of excitement in our classroom. Although we've only begun introducing it, my students immediately recognized it as a serious piece of laboratory equipment — something they'd expect to see in a professional research lab, not a high school classroom. Many have told me how eager they are to learn how to operate it, and several even signed up for AP Biology because they wanted to gain experience with real scientific tools like this.\r\n\r\nThis spring, our AP Biology students will begin using the autoclave to sterilize materials for molecular biology and microbiology labs, including bacterial transformation experiments. My general biology students will also use it as we prepare agar media for microbiology investigations, allowing them to safely explore the unseen microbial world around them.\r\n\r\nThanks to the generous support of our donors, my students are not only learning science — they are practicing it. The autoclave opens the door to authentic lab techniques, safety practices, and curiosity-driven projects that bring the scientific process to life.","fullyFundedDate":1746786529613,"projectUrl":"project/super-hot-biology-autoclave-for-microbi/9113392/","projectTitle":"Super Hot Biology: Autoclave for Microbiology","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9558303_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717296660886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-hall-at-cp"},{"teacherId":9558303,"projectId":9105463,"letterContent":"When my AP Biology students first saw the new micropipettes, their faces lit up — it felt like stepping into a real research lab. On the very first day of class, they used them to pipette water onto pennies to explore surface tension. Soon after, they used the same precision tools to make uniform yeast spheres for our catalase enzyme lab, allowing them to measure reaction rates more accurately.\r\n\r\nThese experiences have given my students a tangible sense of what it's like to work as scientists. They love the precision and independence these tools provide, and several have said that using \"real lab equipment\" made them feel like true biologists.\r\n\r\nNext, we'll use the micropipettes for DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and bacterial transformation — foundational molecular biology techniques that few high school students get to experience firsthand. Thanks to your generosity, my students are building confidence and skills that will prepare them for college labs and future careers in science.","fullyFundedDate":1746785424590,"projectUrl":"project/micropipettes-for-modern-biology-labs/9105463/","projectTitle":"Micropipettes for Modern Biology Labs","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9558303_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717296660886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-hall-at-cp"},{"teacherId":9558303,"projectId":9094683,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support of our classroom science project! Because of you, my students had the incredible opportunity to engage in a hands-on microbiology lab that truly brought science to life.\r\n\r\nWe used the new digital incubator for our pGLO bacterial transformation lab, where students introduced new DNA into bacteria and observed them grow in the presence of antibiotics. Even more exciting, they watched in amazement as the bacteria began to produce a glowing green protein under blue light! It was a powerful moment of discovery that made abstract concepts instantly tangible.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the setup, their reactions said it all. They lit up with excitement and told me, \"This is my favorite lab we've done this year,\" and \"I feel like I'm doing real science.\" They worked with urgency and focus, knowing they had to keep pace just like real researchers would. This experience helped them connect DNA to observable traits—deepening their understanding of genetics and phenotypes, which we continued building on throughout our unit.\r\n\r\nStudents also learned critical lab skills, like how to maintain sterile conditions and why the incubator must be humidified to prevent plates from drying out. These lessons go beyond textbooks—they're about developing real scientific thinking and practices.\r\n\r\nLooking ahead, we're planning even more microbiology labs. Next year, we'll use this equipment in both AP Biology and general biology to design experiments that involve genetic engineering and phenotype tracking in bacteria. Your gift wasn't just for a single lesson—it's an investment in years of authentic, high-impact science learning.\r\n\r\nFrom the bottom of our hearts, thank you for giving my students a chance to feel like real scientists. You made that possible.","fullyFundedDate":1739374003396,"projectUrl":"project/hot-biology-incubator-and-water-bath-fo/9094683/","projectTitle":"Hot Biology: Incubator and Water Bath for Lab Growth","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9558303_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717296660886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-hall-at-cp"},{"teacherId":9558303,"projectId":8698929,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your donation to my classroom! These white boards have been incredible resources for my students' learning. We practice with these all the time and I can see the boost in student participation. Students trade white boards to help each other out and work together. The graphing lines on the back have been very helpful to students as they work on coordinate geometry.\r\n\r\nWhen students first saw the materials, they were excited - especially to see they could choose a colored eraser to work with. When they see they need whiteboards now, students are anticipating an exercise to work on together. Often times when students want to do some extra practice on a tricky concept, they will ask me \"can we work on the white boards?\"\r\n\r\nThank you so much for your generosity and giving my students these resources to support their learning!","fullyFundedDate":1729710392627,"projectUrl":"project/problem-solving-practice-white-boards-/8698929/","projectTitle":"Problem-solving Practice! White Boards & Erasers","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Hall","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9558303_orig.jpg?crop=3024,3024,x0,y554&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1717296660886","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-hall-at-cp"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_69620","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":522,"numTeachers":32,"percentFrplEligible":78,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":57,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":25,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"9 - 12","studentTeacherRatio":"16.3:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"SUBURBAN","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":71.4,"schoolId":69620,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Comstock Park High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Comstock Park High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/comstock-park-public-schools/comstock-park-high-school/69620"}