What's a math class without calculators?  These funds will be used to purchase 25 TI 84 Plus graphing calculators for our projects and for daily use.  (http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Instruments-TI-84-Graphing-Calculator/dp/B0001EMM0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1418186243&sr=1-1&pebp=1418186247168)

 As part of a project based learning (PBL) school, my students use mathematics to solve complex real world problems.  For example, in our current Adolescent Health Project, students collected data from experiments and surveys to answer the essential questions, "What can schools do to improve teen health?  How much of your activity should come out of schools and in what form?  How does a healthy lifestyle improve physical and mental health?  What steps can be taken to address issues of anxiety and depression?"  

Sure, my students can do calculations by hand, but my math classroom is a great place for students to utilize a calculator to gain greater conceptual understanding. These calculators will help us to analyze the data we collect. Instead of getting inaccurate results from forgetting to carry a calculator (or in most cases, students just can't afford to buy one), my students will be able to spend more time analyzing data and understanding the results of their statistical study.  These calculators will be as useful in future projects, including "Financial Literacy, Privilege and Power" where students will use their knowledge about exponential and logaritmic functions to help plan for their financial future while exploring issues of Privilege and Power.  Access to calculators will be especially helpful for my students who struggle with basic math skills, but are exceptionally brilliant analytical and critical thinkers.

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