Teacher: Emily Ortiz

School: McClave Jr/Sr High School

District: McClave School District

Town: McClave, CO

Region: Southeast

Grade Level: 7th-12th

Project Title: Chemical Closet Refill

Category: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Amount Requested: $2,000

School Website: McClave School District

Project Description:
I am in my fourth year of teaching at McClave Jr/Sr High School, a small school in southeastern Colorado. I teach a diverse population of students ranging from ages 12-18, including different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Last year, I took over teaching upper division science courses, including high school chemistry. Upon reviewing my chemical inventory, I found that many chemicals are expired and need proper disposal and replacement. However, I have a limited classroom budget that must be distributed across all my other classes. Proper disposal of these chemicals and purchasing new ones is costly, and this grant would help tremendously.

Proposal:
The first priority for these funds will be to cover the cost of proper disposal of expired chemicals. Any remaining funds will be used to replenish the chemical supply with safe and up-to-date materials. Having access to these chemicals will allow my students to engage in hands-on labs, enhancing their understanding of chemistry concepts. Many of my students may not have access to such materials again in their education, so it's essential to provide them with these experiences in a safe, controlled environment.

Budget Breakdown:

• The $2,000 will be allocated as follows:
• Proper disposal of expired chemical supplies.
• Purchase of new and safe chemicals for classroom labs.