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Mrs. Velasco's Classroom Edit display name

  • Stephen F Austin STEM Academy
  • Freeport, TX
  • More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

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My students need materials, paint, face masks and tools, to create a tire playground! The materials from this project will be used to take students through the entire engineering process, show them how trash can become treasure, and most importantly how they can give back to a community that has given them so much! This past school year, our students completed a STEM project in which they created a playground made out of old tires. It all started with a discussion about giving back to a community that is very supportive and protective of its youth. The students knew they wanted to do something to give back to their community. As we researched different ideas, we saw one that was unique and would also be a challenge...a tire playground. A local tire shop donated old tires for us to use.The project was student-led, with the teacher giving feedback only when needed. The students' tasks included: researching a tire project to create, sketching a blueprint of their design, creating a materials list, scrubbing the tires to remove dirt and grease, drawing cut lines and drill holes with markers (for safety reasons an adult made the cuts), if there were flaws in the design, students had to go back, problem- solve, and redsign their plans, finally they got to spray paint their masterpieces. Once the projects were complete, students researched different organizations within the community to donate their playground to. The students LOVED the project and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. I would love to do this project next year! Please donate!!

About my class

My students need materials, paint, face masks and tools, to create a tire playground! The materials from this project will be used to take students through the entire engineering process, show them how trash can become treasure, and most importantly how they can give back to a community that has given them so much! This past school year, our students completed a STEM project in which they created a playground made out of old tires. It all started with a discussion about giving back to a community that is very supportive and protective of its youth. The students knew they wanted to do something to give back to their community. As we researched different ideas, we saw one that was unique and would also be a challenge...a tire playground. A local tire shop donated old tires for us to use.The project was student-led, with the teacher giving feedback only when needed. The students' tasks included: researching a tire project to create, sketching a blueprint of their design, creating a materials list, scrubbing the tires to remove dirt and grease, drawing cut lines and drill holes with markers (for safety reasons an adult made the cuts), if there were flaws in the design, students had to go back, problem- solve, and redsign their plans, finally they got to spray paint their masterpieces. Once the projects were complete, students researched different organizations within the community to donate their playground to. The students LOVED the project and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. I would love to do this project next year! Please donate!!

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