The implementation of the Hybrid Learning Model comes at a time when BASE STEM Chemistry students will be learning about the details of chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and energy. These are all topics where hands-on labs would normally make the concepts come alive. While teacher demonstrations can fill some of those needs, it will benefit my students if we can also boost our virtual-lab experience for the 4th quarter of this crazy school year.

This campaign seeks to fund licenses for 130 BASE chemistry students to access virtual labs on Pivot Interactives. Licenses for our AP science students were funded from the school building budget, and I would like to expand that access to the STEM Chemistry students.

Here's why I have chosen Pivot Interactives. These virtual labs are...

• Interactive: While it's not the same as having their hands on equipment and glassware in the lab, students benefit from active learning as they progress through the digital labs. 
• Visual: These virtual labs have excellent videography, that allow students to see chemistry phenomena better than any demo I can film and transmit over Zoom. 
• Equally accessible for in-person and at-home students: I am committed to providing an equitable experience for my students no matter what learning model they have chosen. This tool enhances the learning experience for all students.
• Self-paced: The Hybrid model creates additional situations where the class might be "waiting" while the teacher attends to various task, or reaches out to particular students. Having self-paced tools with embedded instruction will allow learning to continue during those times. This is also a benefit for times when a student must complete their work asynchronously.
• Customizable: These virtual labs can be customized to fit our learning targets and to mesh with other teacher-created materials so that students get an integrated learning experience that feels familiar and comfortable.
• Teacher-tested: Rather than learn another tool as a teacher, I'm proposing the expanded use of a tool I'm already using with some students. Thus, I know this will work for my students, and I know that I can implement it successfully.
• Beaverton-based: Pivot Interactives is a product of Vernier, which is an educational-technology company headquartered right here in Beaverton, Oregon. I chose it because it is a great program, but using a local product in my classroom also feels great!

Costs: When purchased in bulk, licenses for Pivot Interactives have a cost of $5 per student. With 130 STEM Chemistry students, this project has a total cost  of $650. Donations to this project will have the direct benefit of providing student access to this tool!