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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Faison-Burrus from Pinetops, NC is requesting instructional technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Ms. Faison-Burrus's classroom raised $815

Hidden Genius: Empowering Nontraditional Learners Through STEM & Hi-Tech

Help me give my students hands-on interactive exposure and needs in the SparkLab.

Classroom photo
Ms. Faison-Burrus profile photo
Ms. Faison-Burrus Southwest Edgecombe High School
Pinetops, NC Grades 9-12

My Project

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working closely with several neurodivergent learners and OCC students who often struggle to thrive in traditional classroom environments. Many of these students experience barriers with lecture-based instruction, large classroom settings, and conventional academic projects. However, when placed in smaller, supportive, hands-on learning environments, they excel in ways that are truly transformational.

The Spark Lab provides these students with a safe and engaging space where learning becomes meaningful, personalized, and empowering.

Through our “PLEARN” approach—blending purposeful play with hands-on STEM, engineering, and technology experiences—students are encouraged to explore their interests, think creatively, problem-solve collaboratively, and design their own high-tech learning pathways. For many students, this is the first environment where they feel successful, confident, and genuinely excited about learning.

Unfortunately, despite the life-changing impact this program has had on our students, Spark Lab operates outside of the traditional Career and Technical Education (CTE) umbrella and currently receives little to no dedicated funding support. This creates a significant challenge in sustaining and expanding opportunities for students who need this type of learning environment the most.

With your support, we hope to extend these experiences beyond the traditional school year by offering summer learning opportunities that keep students engaged, connected, and inspired year-round. Continued access to the Spark Lab during the summer would provide critical enrichment, mentorship, and hands-on exploration for students who are at risk of disengagement without structured, supportive programming.

This is more than an educational initiative—it is an opportunity to change student trajectories, build confidence, uncover hidden talents, and create pathways toward future careers in technology and innovation for learners who are too often overlooked in traditional systems.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

812 students impacted 1 donor
Ms. Faison-Burrus Southwest Edgecombe High School Grades 9-12

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Pinetops, NC View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

812 students impacted 1donor

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Sawgrass VersiFlex Printer Ink Expander Cartridge - 31 ml • Blick Art Materials $99.95 1 $99.95
Sawgrass VersiFlex Printer Ink Cartridge - Yellow • Blick Art Materials $99.95 1 $99.95
Sawgrass VersiFlex Printer Ink Cartridge - Magenta • Blick Art Materials $99.95 1 $99.95
Sawgrass VersiFlex Printer Ink Cartridge - Cyan • Blick Art Materials $99.95 1 $99.95
Thames & Kosmos Physics Pro (V 2.0) Science Kit | 96 Page Color Manual | 31 Experiments | Advanced Physics Education Kit | Parents' Choice Silver Award Winner • Amazon Business $89.99 1 $89.99
Teni & Tayo: Build Your Own Solar Powered Car (Feyi Fey STEM Kit for elementary, STEM supplies ages 6+) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $22.00 2 $44.00
Thames & Kosmos Easy Electric Circuits STEM Kit | Essential Circuitry Set | 15 Experiments, 5 Motorized Models - Electricity, Current, Voltage, LEDs & More | Innovative, Easy-to-Use Building System • Amazon Business $27.95 1 $27.95
Soldering Iron Kit, 60W Adjustable Temperature, Digital Multimeter, 5pcs Soldering Tips, Wire, Stand, Desoldering Pump, Solder Wick, Tweezers, Welding Tool • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
LEGO - Sunflowers Building Toy Set 40524 • Best Buy Education $14.99 1 $14.99
DiCUNO 450pcs 5mm LED Diode, LED Light Kit Box 5 Colors, Mini LED Assorted Kit 5mm Round Top, Light Emitting Diodes for DIY Project, White/Red/Yellow/Green/Blue • Amazon Business $11.99 1 $11.99

Materials cost

$605.71

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $47.25

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.09

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$692.05

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$122.13

Total project goal

$814.18

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $814.18

1 Donor

-$814.18

Donations toward project cost

-$692.05

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$122.13

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

Project Activity
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DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Faison-Burrus and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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