You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Menu
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

Edit classroom photo

Mrs. Balster’s Classroom Edit display name

  • Ocala Steam Academy
  • San Jose, CA
  • More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Mrs. Balster a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

cancel

Support Mrs. Balster's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

  • Monthly
  • One-time

We'll charge your card today and send Mrs. Balster a DonorsChoose gift card she can use on her classroom projects. Starting next month, we'll charge your card and send her a DonorsChoose gift card on the 17th of every month.

Edit or cancel anytime.

Make a donation Mrs. Balster can use on her next classroom project.

https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/1152602 Customize URL

View your stats
Track donations »
Edit
Our school focuses on student empowerment through PBL. It is important for students to exercise ownership over their education, and our school provides this through the use of inquiry and student-driven outcomes. Allowing students more voice and choice in their education boosts engagement and inspires students to love learning. Throughout the year in their STEAM elective students are guided by the use of Driving Questions. In teams, students extensively research solutions and draft implementation plans. Their solutions are often innovative, sustainable and practical. Students' 8th-grade year culminate in a school space redesign project. The goal is to leave a legacy for future students by enhancing the school site's social and physical environments. The project begins by making observations around the school, then transitions into brainstorming and researching solutions, and finally, teams present their ideas to a panel of judges. A number of teams have selected to enhance the garden at the front of the school. The garden has fallen into disrepair and students feel like it is an eyesore. Many teams stated they want to work in the garden in order to improve the community's perception of our school. Teams also want to plant fruits and vegetables that could be given to students and their families. Your donation would have benefits reaching far beyond our classroom walls and into our local community.

About my class

Our school focuses on student empowerment through PBL. It is important for students to exercise ownership over their education, and our school provides this through the use of inquiry and student-driven outcomes. Allowing students more voice and choice in their education boosts engagement and inspires students to love learning. Throughout the year in their STEAM elective students are guided by the use of Driving Questions. In teams, students extensively research solutions and draft implementation plans. Their solutions are often innovative, sustainable and practical. Students' 8th-grade year culminate in a school space redesign project. The goal is to leave a legacy for future students by enhancing the school site's social and physical environments. The project begins by making observations around the school, then transitions into brainstorming and researching solutions, and finally, teams present their ideas to a panel of judges. A number of teams have selected to enhance the garden at the front of the school. The garden has fallen into disrepair and students feel like it is an eyesore. Many teams stated they want to work in the garden in order to improve the community's perception of our school. Teams also want to plant fruits and vegetables that could be given to students and their families. Your donation would have benefits reaching far beyond our classroom walls and into our local community.

Read more

About my class

Read more
{"followTeacherId":1152602,"teacherId":1152602,"teacherName":"Mrs. Balster","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp1152602_orig.jpg?crop=809,809,x58,y0&width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1553726263246","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"vanityURL":"","teacherChallengeId":20714532,"followAbout":"Mrs. Balster's projects","teacherVerify":-830891153,"teacherNameEncoded":"Mrs. Balster","vanityType":"teacher","teacherPageInfo":{"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"teacherHasClassroomDescription":true,"teacherClassroomDescription":"","teacherProfileURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/classroom/1152602","tafURL":"https://secure.donorschoose.org/donors/share_teacher_profile.html?teacher=1152602","stats":{"numActiveProjects":0,"numFundedProjects":2,"numSupporters":7},"classroomPhotoPendingScreening":false,"showEssentialsListCard":false}}
Supporting teachers and students since 2000

DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America create classroom project requests, and you can give any amount to the project that inspires you.

We've earned the highest possible ratings from Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, and Guidestar.