My students need Engineering Is Elementary kits to use during their STEM special at school. The kits we are requesting will allow students to think like engineers.
My students come to me to learn about technology, but also eager to learn about the world around them and excited to make real life connections. Our school is initiating a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) focus and I can help provide students this engaging method of instruction.
Our school serves students kindergarten through fifth grade.
We are a Title I school with a large portion of our school receiving free and reduced lunch. We are also a very diverse school with dozens of nationalities represented in our classrooms and a large ESL population. Our students are all very unique, but one factor that they all have in common is a desire for learning! The students come to school eager to learn, but we need to make learning more engaging for them to reach their fullest potential!
My Project
The materials requested are engineering kits for grades one through five. The engineering kits fit perfectly in our evolving process of using STEM in our classroom. Each kit comes with multiple lessons that work to build background and provide real life relevance that connects the science curriculum to something of interest to the students. The lessons allow students the chance to build and create while integrating their grade level math and science standards. The kits provide the chance for failure and persistence as well as collaboration and team work, all essential components of STEM. The lessons are designed for the students to work through the engineering design process (ask, imagine, plan, create and improve) and help them think critically. The kits include all the necessary materials for students to design and create. These kits will be used by all grade levels in our STEM special, reaching over 700 kids each year!
Currently our special focuses primarily on technology tools and creating final projects utilizing technology.
As the school starts to put a bigger focus on STEM, we would like to change the technology special to include science, engineering and math components as well. These kits will help provide engaging lessons and activities with real life relevance. It will provide higher levels of engagement for the students and ultimately help build their understanding in a variety of subjects.
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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 Mrs. Rood and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.