Sunday, April 30, 2006

Seedlings

Guess what? Readers of this blog have raised almost $500 towards science materials for NYC schools - 12% of my $4000 challenge. That's a terrific start! But I know there are more of you out there who support good science teaching who just haven't had a chance to add your $10 to the challenge. So, here's another of the proposals I selected - click on the title to give to this project, or click on any of the DonorsChoose buttons to peruse all the proposals in my challenge. There are only 8 weeks left in the school year - let's fund these proposals before school gets out...

What's great about this project is that these teachers want to show their students that scientific concepts and methods can be applied to the world immediately surrounding them, and to involve the kids in helping improve their local environment. Plus, it sounds like a collaborative project that will involve multiple teachers and many students. What a unique opportunity.

A Grow Lab to Help Us Discover the Environment Around Us

The Academy of Math, Science, and Computer Technology is located on the fourth floor of I.S. 174, in the Bronx, New York. I teach science to the sixth-grade classes in this school. It is an intermediate school, serving fifth-to-eighth-grade students. All students attending I.S. 174 receive free lunch.

The wetlands behind the school are being restructured by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Members of our school have thought it would be a great idea if students could help this project by growing seedlings and transplanting native plants into the area. In this way, students will be able to investigate the ecology of the area and contribute to the rebuilding of Pugsley Creek Park.

To make this idea a reality, we need a Grow Lab from Carolina Biological Supply Company. This botany kit contains everything we need to get seedlings started and learn about plant life. In addition, students can perform many experiments using Grow Lab, and even raise plants to sell for occasions like Mother's Day. This will help students generate money to purchase materials for additional science projects.

Students will also be able to use Grow Lab to develop projects that require ongoing investigations, and experiment with plants that would not survive in New York or during certain seasons of the year. All in all, this lab will be a marvelous tool for us to learn all kinds of things about our environment and to contribute to making it better.

The cost of a Grow Lab Double Unit from Carolina Biological Supply is $1,415, including shipping and fulfillment.

1 Comments:

Blogger Chaz said...

Ms Frizzle;

It's a pity that the New York City school system does not supply the necessary materials to the classroom. Maybe you should alert the media of your donors program? Maybe this would embarras Kleinberg enough to increase funding to the classroom to adequate levels.

9:23 PM  

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