Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:37:24 -0800 (PST) From: Barry Meyers-Rice <bamrice@ucdavis.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg780$foo@default> Subject: Science Project (fwd)
Hi folks,
I was sent the following posting describing a teacher's desperate
situation. I hope one or more of you could help her in her noble efforts.
-Barry
---------- Forwarded message ----------
To: bazza@ucdavis.edu
Dear Dr. Meyers-Rice
I have been teaching middle school science for the last 20 years in Fort Worth
ISD, a large urban school district. During the past 8 years, I have been
developing a Carnivorous Plant Bog Ecosystem for the Classroom curriculum.
Yesterday, I sent the project to the 1998 Sea World/Busch Gardens
Environmental Excellence Awards. This project is my passion and it has been a
life saver this year, because I am teaching in an alternative ninth grade
school, Accelerated High School, for students who failed middle school. I have
125 "behaviorly challenge" at-risk kids who hate school - many using drugs,
etc.
Being an experenced teacher, I was sure I would be able to turn the kids
around in a couple of weeks. I was wrong - it took 12 to 18 weeks before they
started listening, learning, and turning on to science. The "bog box" was the
key to success. Usually the bog is a hit the first day of school, but not
with these kids.
I have been using information from your web site in my classrrom this year
(from home, I don't have an internet connection at the school). The students
are using HyperStudio, a multi media software, to develop an educational CD on
Carnivorous Plant Bog Ecosystem for the Classroom. Each student has to
contribute at least one card to the program. We have 20 completed cards at
this time.
I would gladly share the project with you if you are interested.
The purpose for this email, is to ask if you or if you know of someone who
could help me obtain some carnivorous plants for the students to test in the
labs they have written. I have funded the entire project so far and have let
the kids experiment with my plants. I am running short of funds at this time,
and am looking for a source of discounted or donated carnivorous plants and
live sphagnum moss. I am also looking for starts of other bog plants because
some experiments are on flood control. I am truly amazed at the projects my
students have developed, especially because this is the only thing they have
been interested in all year. I really believe this project has turned some of
my students back on the positive tract to becoming a responsible adult.
I hope you can respond to this request as soon as possible, because I need
project supplies next week.
I will send you copies of all our work, if you are interested.
Jill Wimberly
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