A typical day in my classroom starts with students working on their internet search skills through a game called "a google a day". They then move onto their Tech/STEM content. Here students have learned how to break down computers, assemble computers from basic components, and computer code.
West Education Center is a school for extremely at-risk students.
They come from many different districts in the northwest metro for the Twin Cities. About 90% of our students are of color with about 80% of students on free and reduced lunch. There are 4 different programs in the building ranging from severely cognitive/physically disabled students to students with Emotional Behavior Disorders to Drug and Alcohol treatment programs.
With traditional education failing my students they have strived for an environment to call their own. Naturally the Fab Lab and the Maker Movement suit them perfectly. Creativity and out of the box thinking are natural traits among my students. They have developed these great skills as a need to survive in their world.
Don't let the tough facades fool you. My students will light up a room with their humorous and entertaining personalities.
My Project
Imagine watching a class of 6-8 at-risk high school students create 3-D models and print them in class. But don't just stop there. With a significant portion of our school being made up of students with special needs, my class will be able to design, prototype, and build assistive technologies for their peers with disabilities.
Students will learn to identify problems in the real world, design a solution for that problem and then create a prototype and final product to answer an existing need. In other words, students will be learning applicable material "just in time" for a project rather than learning traditional material "just in case" they need to apply it in real life.
Imagine at-risk students creating assistive technologies for their high needs peers such as easier to grip doorknobs or customized buttons/controls for their wheelchairs!
This project will make a difference by helping high school students gain skills and expertise that they can apply to the STEM field after high school rather than their current jobs in the fast food industry.
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 Mr. Swanson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
