Thank you so much for your generous support through the Education Foundation (Cash for Classrooms program). Because of your $1,000 grant, I was able to purchase a classroom seismograph along with a protective plexiglass cover, and it has already become one of the most exciting (and talked-about) tools in my classroom.

The seismograph has been used extensively in both my Earth Science and Geology classes while studying earthquakes, plate tectonics, and Earth’s internal processes. Students were able to observe real-time seismic activity, analyze seismic waves, and connect abstract concepts like P-waves, S-waves, and fault movement to real data. We’ve compared background noise versus actual seismic events, discussed how scientists locate earthquake epicenters, and explored how seismographs are used around the world to monitor Earth’s activity.

One unexpected bonus was that the seismograph also turned into a lesson in perseverance and problem-solving. As I worked to assemble and calibrate it, students watched me troubleshoot, re-read instructions (multiple times), and make small adjustments until it finally worked properly. It turned into a great real-world example of how science isn’t always plug-and-play—and that even teachers sometimes have to struggle, problem-solve, and learn alongside their students!

The plexiglass cover has been especially helpful in keeping the instrument safe while still allowing students to closely observe how it functions. It’s allowed for hands-on learning without the fear of accidental “scientific disasters.”

This grant has made a lasting impact on student engagement and understanding, and it has brought earthquakes and geology to life in a way that textbooks simply can’t. Thank you again for supporting hands-on science and for investing in meaningful classroom experiences. My students and I are incredibly grateful.

Sincerely, Meg Greenwood Earth Science, Geology and Astronomy Teacher