DonorsChoose Challenge Focus: The Viking Shark Project

tags: DonorsChoose, science education, teaching, fund-raising, poverty

I am focusing on this project, The Viking Shark Project, because there are only four days left to fund this proposal before the deadline passes and 70 students from an impoverished high-crime magnet classroom are left wanting -- AGAIN!

The teacher is asking for 35 dogfish for his 70 students to dissect and this proposal has already raised half of the required funds, but it still needs to raise the remaining $248.50 so these kids can enhance their educational experience.

Given the fact that sharks are so misunderstood and feared, that many species are endangered due to the cruel shark finning industry, I think this is an amazing way to reward these kids' hard work in the classroom and to help them gain an appreciation and even an admiration for these beautiful animals as they begin build a positive vision for their future. Who knows where this one lesson might lead? Will one of these kids, whose life is a daily struggle, become one of the great shark conservationists, marine biologists or oceaonographers of tomorrow? Will one of these kids empathize with these magnificent animals that are so cruelly treated by humans and decide to make it her life's mission to save them from extinction? Will your gift be the one that makes all the difference for one kid who might otherwise have been lost forever to the criminal justice system, to drugs, violence or suicide? I say this because I was one of those kids, and my intense desire to be a scientist made all the difference in my life.

In recognition of your kind gift to help others, Princeton University Press is offering 2 books with a value of up to $30.00 each as prizes to two of my DonorsChoose Challenge donors: one book will be awarded to the donor who gives the largest gift, and the other book will be given to a donor who will be randomly chosen by my parrots using a method that I have yet to develop (suggestions welcomed). This kind offer covers most of Princeton University Press's trade science titles and guide books (view their catalogue PDFs here) and they also pay postage, so this costs you NOTHING! All that you have to do is send me your mailing address after making your donation and you will be automatically entered into this competition.

I am also working on setting up more free prizes for my donors, so stay tuned for that!