This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Currently females make up less than 20% computer scientists. My students are very interested in pursuing careers in programming and other computer-related careers, but lack access to basic technology to practice their skills.
I teach 10-12th grade Physics, but have always been interested in computers and technology.
In fact, I'm the technology coordinator for my school.
My students show a lot of academic promise, but come from economically challenged backgrounds. Our school has a college enrollment rate of 75%, but 89% of my students are low income. Their families are very supportive of the school but most cannot afford expensive technology for their students to use.
My Project
These laptops will be used as part of our after school computer club. Our current technology situation at the school is pretty dire. We have one computer lab that is shared between multiple schools and is booked up to a month in advance, so it is difficult to arrange for time in there. Our school has one laptop cart, but that is reserved for the nursing program is not available for other students.
Our computer club will learn the basics of computer programming through a website called Codecademy. I've used the site before and I think it will be very beneficial to expose these girls to the basics. Many of my female students have expressed interested in computer careers and I think this could open doors for them.
This project will simultaneously increase the access my students have to technology, stimulate interest in a careers in computers as well as teach them a valuable skill.
Thanks to generous funding through Google, a little can go a long way to accomplishing these goals.
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. Goodman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.