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Goal

We would like to purchase a classroom set of scientific calculators that we could share among the physical science teachers. We need calculators that can calculate very large and very small numbers using exponential notation. It would also be helpful if the calculators contain the logarithmic function for Richter Scale and pH calculations. 

What will be done with my students

Often times, students miss the general idea or the big picture when they are bogged down in doing a long calculation by hand. We try to have students estimate the approximate value of a unit of measurement or a rate of change in our STEAM classroom discussions, especially for laboratory experiments. After estimating a value, it is very helpful for students to do the actual calculation on a calculator to see if their numbers pan out. Without a calculator, this can be down time...two or three students with calculators will do the calculations while others "zone-out" and wait for the answer. 

Benefits to my students

If every student had a scientific calculator in each of their STEAM classes, they would all get instruction and practice with the proper use of a scientific calculator. Then they could focus on the lesson's objective and understand the bigger picture rather than get lost in a long division or a 4-5 digit multiplication calculation. Doing exponential calculations with a class of 32 young student scientists using a 4-function calculator is close to impossible. Having scientific calculators would help improve their ability to evaluate their answers, build their confidence and help them develop a better number sense. Instruction in the proper use of a scientific calculator by actual scientists would also help them succeed in college as I have read the posts of plenty of university students (after YOUTUBE Chemistry lectures) who claim to get the wrong answer even though they plug all the numbers correctly into their calculators. This is because they do not know how to use the EE or the EXP key on the calculator properly. 

Budget Narrative

It would be great to have a set of 32 working scientific calculators. Every other chapter in our chemistry book involves complex calculations that require the use of a calculator and many of our laboratory experiments require calculations. Scientific calculators are on sale for $8.88; after tax, this would come to $301.21.
 

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