Thomas is a quiet creative student who likes to do hands-on projects. He enjoys customizing things and "making them his own". He is proud of the work he's done previously creating original t-shirt designs using stencils and air-brushing. He wants to make this kind of creative process and work available to all the students in our school.
Thomas is one of many at our school who thrives when doing hands-on creative projects. Our school is a Big Picture Learning alternative high school in North Philadelphia serving students who are over-aged and under-credited using Project Based Learning and Restorative Justice practices. Students who have been previously disengaged excel academically when they drive their own projects based on their interests. In their final trimesters with us, they complete a Senior Legacy Project to give back to their school and their community. Procuring the 3D printer by fundraising for his Senior Project and for all student projects at our school would become a part of his legacy!
Our school is full of students with ideas for projects, things they want to make or build. They are extremely entrepreneurial and the 3D printer will directly support their endeavors. Students like Thomas come alive when they can walk a project from conception to production to presentation. This printer will enable students to learn about computer software and coding, digital design, and prototyping in an engaging hands-on way.
Thomas's Legacy project will include business planning and strategy, producing the shirts, and marketing them. Fundraising to procure a 3D printer is a part of his legacy project process.
In Their Own Words
My goal is to get a 3D printer so our school can have better projects. Our school is a project-based learning school and I think getting a 3D printer would open a lot more options for projects we could do. It would give students a chance to make their own products. They could learn how to work with machinery and software.
I'm trying to get the word out and get as many people to put money toward it and get them to tell their friends and keep it going like that. I'm going to put it on Facebook and Instagram and see if we can get people to support us in this.
Projects in our school are limited because we don't have the things we need. We have a lot of ideas but not the right things to make our ideas a reality. The 3D printer will give us more creative choice and possibility for our projects. I hope you will help us!
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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 Ms. Pappas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.