In 3rd grade, we are using FOSS kits ( www.fossweb.com/ca ) as our science curriculum. Our FOSS curriculum for 2rd grade covers Matter & Energy, Sun & Stars, and Structures of Life. Each unit has many hands-on explorations and activities that are powerful ways for students to learn science concepts. With 27 students, what we really need are extra adults in the classroom to help out with our hands-on science explorations.

It would be ideal to have scientists and community volunteers alongside parents. Most of our students do not have contact with professional scientists and engineers so volunteers would also be important role models for many of our students.

You can come on a Thursday morning any week that it is convenient. Minimum commitment is to come help out one Thursday morning.

Another volunteer role could be to prep the materials required for hands-on science activities one afternoon each week.

As my class size has increased, I need an LCD projector through Donors Choose to allow science demonstrations to be more effective. Being able to manipulate our science materials under the doc camera and show what we're doing on the wall, the entire class will be able to see and understand what is being demonstrated. My current document camera and the new LCD projector will also be a powerful new combination for getting all of the students to demonstrate their science observations, processes and show each other what they have learned. I have set up a DonorsChoose project to acquire the LCD projector needed to make our science curriculum even more effective.