As an 8-12th grade high school pre-engineering teacher I feel it is critical that students have an opportunity to apply and see the real world applications of the the math and science concepts that they learn in their math and science classes. Giving students this opportunity in a pre-engineering classroom involves engaging students in hands on design projects that require them to bring together the skills learned in all of their core courses. These activities require consumables and other equipment which can become costly.

I teach Instrumental Techniques and Instrumental Ensemble in a setting where there are very few instruments. We have practice rooms that are used as storerooms, partly because the students do not have enough instruments that are well-maintained to practice on. Additional funding would greatly help us acquire a second drum set to help with split-band practices. Funding would also help us maintain the instruments we already have. Thank you.

AP Biology and Honors Biology: all lab based with a strong emphasis on microbiology and molecular biology. Why? Learning science and math should all be hands-on. Abstract concepts acquire a real dimension when we get to manipulate and play with them. Common labs include: Microscopy of bacteria, plants and animals Enzymatic reaction times and conditions/activators/inhibitors analysis Mendelian genetics with flies and plants Green fluorescent protein cloning into plasmids Bacterial transformation Restriction length fragment polymorphism analysis Protein polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis DNA agarose gel electrophoresis Circulatory system with Daphnia major Human blood pressure with sphigmomanometers and stethoscope Plant transpiration Mitosis and meiosis in plants and fish (up to blastula) Behavior in plankton and Daphnia Marine plankton classification Water and air quality analysis Insect behavior and catch and release Shark catch and release (NOAA / RSMAS based program) AP Environmental Science could make great use of a WEATHER STATION. Why? IT HAS STRONG BASIS ON METEOROLOGY, THE STUDY OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE! - Track weather data to identify variables, develop problem statements and design controlled experiments - Get an understanding of the seasons, solar intensity and latitude - Analyze and understand atmospheric composition and structure - Study, analyze and comprehend atmosphere-ocean interactions: El Niño/La Niña, hurricanes and extreme weather phenomena - Study, analyze local water cycles by tracking precipitation, humidity, pressure, dew point, evaporation, heat index, ozone, insolation, and UV index. - Identify sources of air and water pollution - Identify local conservation measures that affect water and air

Fortunately, students at my school are generally comfortable enough economically to afford their own personal materials for class. However, the current economic environment has devasted our district-wide budget for technology. I have space in my classroom for 16 computers; however there are only 14 computers, and only 9 of those work consistently enough to use for daily instruction. Our greatest need is for up-to-date, reliable, functioning computers to use with the geometry software I would use regularly in class if the student work stations were available. My other need is for general classroom materials and teacher resources: books (primarily for teacher reference rather than textbooks), consumable supplies such as colored pencils, markers, colored paper, batteries, software, manipulatives and so on. I deeply appreciate anything you are able to do to help us!