Ms. Nozik Uses Neon Markers to Engage Her Classroom

“The classroom environment is very positive,” writes Ms. Nozik, a 9th-grade teacher at Carlmont High School in Belmont California. “Students enjoy doing labs because they get to engage with science directly, instead of hearing about it. The students enjoy doing inquiry work – figuring out things by themselves. This is engaging for them and helps develop their critical thinking skills and their independence. They work well with each other in the lab and have the opportunity to get to know each other better. This makes their learning more interesting, engaging and enjoyable.”

When working in teams on science projects, Ms. Nozik’s students gather around black-topped desks where they write down shared concepts, erase and work collaboratively to come up with conclusions and findings. It is a vibrant and engaging way to learn! But to make it all happen, her classroom needs a supply of neon dry-erase markers, which are expensive. To equip her students with a good supply of the markers, she decided to request funding on DonorsChoose.com. Now, thanks to donations from the Student Research Foundation and other concerned contributors, her classroom has 12 new dry-erase neon markers. Contributors donated an additional $31.98 for two Duracell Procell 9 volt batteries to power conductivity meters and other equipment. And now, Ms. Nozik’s student teams are equipped and working collaboratively on their science assignments.

Thanks from Ms. Nozik

Dear Student Research Foundation,

Thank you very much for supporting the learning in our classroom and funding our project. We were very excited to receive the new fluorescent markers and the 9V batteries.

We have used the markers several times already, in both Biology classes and in Chemistry classes . . . The students love using the markers! They enjoy the bright colors, and the fact that it is now OK, and even requested, that they write on their desks. The markers are easy to clean with a damp cloth, so this is perfect! Writing on their desks allows the students to work together, think and talk with each other as they try to solve the different problems. It is engaging and fun for the students and creates a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere in the classroom.

Thank you again for your generosity! You are helping to create an engaging learning environment for our students!

With gratitude,
Ms. Nozik

How many of these students will explore college degrees or careers in the sciences is unknown but we were happy to find and donate to this project to help Ms. Nozik’s students engage and have fun while learning.

We look forward to writing about additional DonorsChoose.org teacher projects here on the Student Research Foundation blog. Stay tuned!

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