Remember your first block tower, or your first bridge that didn't sag in the middle? Tomorrow's engineers and scientists are in school today working with blocks and manipulatives, learning to read and count -- all in readiness to have successful careers in their future.
When young people discover a passion, it stays with them throughout their life.
Boys and girls --both love to build things. And building things is the first step toward a career in engineering.
Most of my students are bussed to school from a nearby federal housing project. Our classroom is their "safe" place away from apartments full of strife, violence, and drug abuse. They get to eat breakfast with their classmates, then learn not just the basics of reading and arithmetic, but also how to share supplies and help others. These first graders come to school eager to learn but need extra support and opportunities because of their at-risk home environment. They don't have access to things most middle class children have, such as blocks, building bricks, books, and college-educated parents.
My Project
Building engineers is more than playing with wooden blocks and Legos! This project integrates beginning engineering with reading, math, science, and visual arts, along with helping students develop social skills, fine motor skills, and visual discrimination abilities.
There is a nationwide concern about the dwindling number of Americans pursuing STEM careers. (STEM = science, technology, engineering and math) Interest in these topics, if introduced and nurtured in elementary classrooms, leads to continuing interest as students move on to high school and beyond. Students living in poverty can be successful; I have several former students in college! At-risk students need extra help and guidance to reach their potential.
This project provides a high interest, fun way to learn and helps develop potential STEM college students.
Additionally, I'll be working with a community volunteer creating an after-school club which will compete in a statewide engineering challenge!
"I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember. I do and I understand." Confucius said it long ago; current education research proves its truth. This project puts hands-on learning into practice and will motivate students -- even reluctant ones; make learning fun; and support numerous areas of learning: math, reading, handwriting, social studies, science, and art.
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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. Waters and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.