Remember in an earlier post where I asked for help for Alan Leipzig, a teacher who wanted to buy a class set of my book Death from the Skies!?
I’m pleased to say that within two days he reached his goal thanks to you guys! He actually got his goal with just five donors. As he says on his DonorsChoose page:
I am astounded. Thirty-five hours. Five donors. This is the fastest I have ever seen a project funded. I am incredibly thankful to all of you, and will remember this with every amazing class discussion I get this year. You have taken a step towards elevating science back to its place of honor in America.
The books you give me will inspire wonder in dozens if not hundreds of kids in the years to come. You’ve replaced the static 60′s style drawing of the Solar System in their textbooks with a dynamic, changing, and exploding universe. The far away pictures of galaxies are now personified as giant crazy monsters. You have helped make this class FUN.
That’s fantastic. I’m really proud of you guys; you helped an educator educate, and helped some students get excited about astronomy.
THANKS. You rock.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Nice!
(I’m feeling this comment is too short so I’m adding this text to make it longer)
July 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
That is great news!!!
July 7th, 2010 at 11:43 am
“That’s fantastic. I’m really proud of you guys; you helped an educator educate, and helped some students get excited about astronomy.”
…and helped get Phil some royalties…
I kid.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Royalties well deserved – it’s a fantastic book, great science and in layman’s language. Congrats to the teacher and the class!
July 7th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I just got this out of the library and I and my seven year old have been reading bits and pieces. Well, I’m reading the whole thing, but he’s enjoying every bit we’ve gone over so far.
July 7th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Free copies of Death From The Skies for all! Woot!
July 7th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I am very happy with the response. Phil was magnanimous and helpful the entire time. You all may rock, but he co-ordunated the rockage. I now have enough stuff to run the class. We even had someone contact us to send us their extra copies! And if anyone missed it and still wanted to help… http://www.donorschoose.org/mrleipzig
(a teacher’s work is like debunking astrology; never done.
)
July 7th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
You wrote a book?
July 7th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Alan is an old friend of mine, whom I met in middle school indecently; and this is a truly brilliant happenstance. Pairing your writing with his abilities is incredible. I can’t believe that its really happening. I wish I could retake middle school science now and be in his class. (Sorry, Mr. Durfee.)
July 7th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I think you’re obligated to send signed copies to those five donors, Phil
July 7th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
It’s fantastic that Mr. Leipzig cares enough about education to use Death From the Skies as a teaching tool. I don’t remember having books nearly so interesting when I was in school. I’d love to see a generation of kids have some fun with science and be inspired to go into scientific careers. Wouldn’t that be something?
July 7th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Good to know that you’re using your (super) powers for good. Thers is hope for science education!
July 7th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I have known Alan since a young child. He has been an inspritation to everyone who has been lucky enough to cross his path in life, both young and old. He has been honored as a gifted teacher and has made a difference in the life of many students in his short but fabulous career and will go far. He has another book he needs for his class as well. You can find the site to donate to this book so he can continue to enrich the lives of his many students. If more teachers were as dedicated and as talented as him our next generations will continue to prosper and become amazing adults, such as Alan Leipzig. He has set a standard of teaching that is hard to be matched. To donate to this last book go to
http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=396941 You then click on
Starfleet Academy: Astronomy Through Apocalypse! (Classroom. You will then see his book fully funded and type Leipzig where it says see more projects,double click on Leipzig ,you will see Starfleet Academy: Giving Kids the Universe and you will be able to donate to the last book he needs for his Starfleetacademy class. Help Mr. Leipzig, continue to help our new generation. Congradulations to Mr. Leipzig and Thank you to all who have donated and to the fabulous author of Death from the Skies.
July 7th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I’m very glad his students will read the book! Such a wonderful read and solid on the science.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Well, leave it to Alan Leipzig to do what can’t be done, and in the name of education.I’m happy to say I know that man, and he changes every life he touches in the best way possible.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:42 am
You wrote ANOTHER book?
July 8th, 2010 at 6:19 am
This teacher had better not use this book in Texas, oh that is right there is no science in Texas. I have read this book and it is great it rates up there with ‘A Brief History of Time’ in my opinion.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Like.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:47 am
…and YOU’ve got a little bit more money
But that is well deserved; I just wanted to tease you a little bit
July 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
As a poor but hard-working science lover who is quite disturbed and distraught about the future of education, particularly science education, in this country I just want to thank the donors who made this possible. Every little bit helps us all in the long run.
personal note- To be honest, the only shame I ever feel about being on the low end of the economic scale has nothing to do with social status or nice clothes or public opinion or my cruddy, barely working car, but the fact that my economic status severely restricts my ability to contribute to important causes and help change unpleasant realities. So with no bitterness, maybe just a hint of jealousy, and mostly just plain gratitude, let me again say thank you to those who helped on this. I would have loved to have such a cool book as a text in science classes as a kid, and I wish I had been able to contribute. Thanks for picking up the slack and getting the job done.
Now, we just need a few hundred thousand more dedicated, inspiring science teachers with the energy to seek out help where it can be found, and a few hundred thousand more generous donors willing to help!
July 9th, 2010 at 4:38 am
great job guys