What is a Thinkering Space?
A studio for playful
invention, investigation,
and collaboration.
The Thinkering Space is an immersive, active, creative place where third graders can slow down, become deeply engaged in an investigation of the scientific process and create something that represents their thinking and ideas.
My classroom environment would be complete with a space like this. Currently, we are going away from traditional desks and teacher directed instruction to individualized learning pathways. These help each child grow and learn in there own way.
My students are innovative and creative. They are risk takers! We currently lack hands-on manipulatives for kids who want to explore STEM.
My Project
In the Thinkering Space, students are invited to explore using curiosity!
We are hoping to gather a large, eclectic assortment of materials, tools, and technologies. Some of our ideas include having small machines, Legos, circuit boards, robotics and an animation studio.
Students can:
Create and demonstrate the process of inquiry through exploring questions, challenges, topics or technologies of interest, at their own pace, and in directions of their choosing. When they are deeply engaged, students will evaluate knowledge and develop a theory through the process of inquiry.
I hope that by having options, students will be able to show what they know in more creative and innovative ways.
These tools allow kids to be risk takers. They can fail and keep trying. I also believe that putting these things in kids hands early can really bring a love for STEM.
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 Mrs. Christians and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
