Grade: 4th Grade

Teacher Name: Cathy Bennett

Description and purpose of grant: The Hands-On Materials Kit equips 4th-grade classrooms with all materials needed to complete eight TEKS-aligned Argument-Driven Inquiry investigations. Students explore topics such as mixing liquids and solids, conserving matter, and inherited traits through hands-on experiments that promote collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. With ready-to-use supplies and teacher-friendly guides, educators can focus on facilitating inquiry-based lessons rather than preparation. Funding this project will ensure every student has access to meaningful, interactive science experiences that deepen understanding and foster a lasting curiosity about the world around them.

This project aligns closely with our district’s vision of creating profound learning experiences through authentic relationships, collective engagement, and great teaching. The Hands-On Materials Kit for ADI 4th Grade Investigations supports the whole child by encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving through inquiry-based, hands-on science. Students engage in authentic learning experiences that strengthen both academic and social-emotional skills as they work together to investigate real-world phenomena. The project expands innovative learning channels by integrating inquiry and blended instruction, empowering students to document and reflect on their growth through digital portfolios while building skills foundational to future STEM and career pathways.

Implementation process: Each inquiry-based investigation in this kit is fully aligned with our 4th-grade TEKS and will be integrated into every science unit throughout the year. The materials will provide meaningful, hands-on experiences for approximately 150 students this school year and can be reused in future years to benefit additional learners. By incorporating these investigations into our science curriculum, students will have consistent opportunities to explore, question, and apply their understanding of key concepts through authentic, standards-based inquiry.

Items you plan to purchase with grant money: 

In the event my grant is not fully funded, this is minimum amount I would need to get started on this project:  $44.95