From the Newsdesk

DonorsChoose Blogger Challenge update: help Ars climb the rankings

By Clint Ecker | Published: October 06, 2008 - 04:05PM CT

We announced our participation in the Donors Choose Blogger Challenge just under four days ago, and the response has been astounding. We've already raised over $1,600 to fund technology, science, math, and reading-related projects that will reach over 1,100 students in low-income school districts across the United States! We've picked out several proposals like these:

Microscopically Challenged: Salisbury, North Carolina:
After my students learn about the cell cycle and mitosis, I always incorporate a laboratory activity where they microscopically examine onion root tips in which many cells can be seen undergoing mitosis. This allows my students to see real cells rather than pictures or diagrams that someone else has created. In the past, my students had to share microscopes and make cell drawings by hand. This year, with your generous contributions, I would love to add a new technological tool to use for this learning activity, new QX5 digital microscopes that can interface with our laptop computers.

The 21st Century Overhead: East Lansing, Michigan:
My students need a document camera in their classroom to take the overhead into the 21st century. A document camera provides full color images and motion of whatever is set under the camera. Imagine reading great children's literature on a daily basis with all children able to see every detailed picture in full color. No longer will students in the back complain about not being able to see the pictures.

We've chosen an additional 40 proposals just like these for you to support. In the past four days we've heard from many teachers and educators that your donations have helped. This one comes from Ms. D at Bogan Computer Tech High School in Chicago, IL and her funded proposal, "Flies! Flies! Flies and How Do They Reproduce and Look!"

Thank you, Thank you very much. This project will definitely enhance my class a hundredfold. I can use all the materials with two classes of highly motivated students. This means so much to me, as I am becoming speechless as I type this note. Every day is a struggle to assemble high-quality labs for my students. I have a large number of students that want to become doctors and succeed at college. Thank you, thank you so much.

This is, by all means, an awesome turnout so far, but we're in this for the long haul. The Blogger Challenge lasts the entire month of October, and we're competing against a whole host of technology blogs who have stepped up their game over the weekend. Currently leading the pack is Fred Wilson's Venture Capitalist blog at just under $6,000 donated, followed by All Things Digital, TechCrunch, O'Reilly, and Shtetl-Optimized with $3,618, $3,337, $2,444, and $1,829, respectively.

We'll be keeping everyone updated on our progress here on the front page and on the Ars Technica Twitter account.