Outside In

School:: Barron Collier High
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Shoshana Yarin
Students Impacted:: 155
Grade:: 11
Date:: August 28, 2018

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Michael Schroeder - $598.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 150

As I did not receive this grant at the beginning of the year, I was determined to see it happen regardless. I begged, borrowed and spent my own money for materials and used my "live species certification" to catch organisms in the wild. The students worked with me to prepare the 50 gallon tank, monitor the water quality and feed the fish, crabs and shrimp.

Not only was the process educational for all involved, but for many students it was the highlight of their day. The chemistry classroom with no windows is not a comfrtable space, but the aquarium along with plant light purchased from a previous grant really brightened the environment.

Some students would immediately go to the fishtank to check on the status when they entered the room. They named the fish and were willing helpers when it came to maintenance. I referred to the tank numerous times in my teaching and it was a very real and understandable concept when discussing pH, nitrogen cycle or the energy in a food web.

I personally also enjoyed the fishtank and was happy to enter the classroom each day and greet the occupants. The fish were taken in by Rookery Bay since they could not be kept for the summer and they were impressed with some of the species we had. Students learned of the care and concern required for them to take all the species and wanted pictures of their new home.

I am excited to do this project again next year with a full set of gear to make the process even better. I have purchased test kits, back up filter systems, live sand, lights, nets, etc. so students can better engage in the activity.

It was more than education and a platform for teaching connections, but also a remedy to stave off depression in many.

grant photo

Makeshift Fishtank!

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The goal for this project is to bring the outside world in to the science classroom. Field trips with such a large number of students are difficult to arrange, so I want to bring a small field from outside into application in Marine Science and Chemistry.
I will be attending the certification workshop in Sarasota Sept. 8

What will be done with my students

Students will rotate groups through the set-up and maintanance process of an aquarium. Not only will they learn the process, but applications will be made throughout the year such as pH balance, filtration, oxygenation, nitrogen cycle, ppm, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Some of the standards:
SC.912.L.17.6
SC.912.L.17.1, SC.912.17.4, SC.912.L.15.13,
SC.912.P.8.11
SC.912.N.4.1

Benefits to my students

Students need to have their hands, minds and interests on something other than lecture and textbook science. Even beyond science, if students have an interest and a reason to be excited to come to class, the rest of the education just happens.
The current science classroom contains no windows so a great additional benefit is to bring some of the outside world in. It creates atmosphere, light, activity and antidepressant qualitiies.
I have already seen increased enthusiasm for the class in the simple mention of the potential project!

Budget Narrative

Marine department at BCH already has some of the main equipment. ( Biological Filtration System, Thermometer, 50 gal. Aquarium)
I will need the additional list of equipment to get it up and running. I will make every attempt to reduce the budget (used, etc.) but wish to make sure there is enough to cover the set-up.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	circuit interrupter and timer	$35.00
2	tank lighting	$100.00
3	distilled water and salt	$40.00
4	sand and decor	$70.00
5	garbage container	$15.00
6	saltwater test kit	$25.00
7	hydrometer	$15.00
8	various equipment	$195.00
9	fish	$66.00
10	food	$37.00
	Total:	$598.00

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