Help me give my students the supplies they need to program micro-bits (small computers) and design diverse solutions to the United Nations Global Goals.
I teach 400 students in my position as a Science and Enrichment teacher. My students are inquisitive, creative, and passionate about solving problems to make a better world. Two of their favorite things to learn about are technology and helping the environment. This project will combine their interests while giving them an avenue to make an impact on the United Nations Global Goals. Through the IF/THEN Collection, I want my students to know that there are many types of STEM professionals who use STEM to make the world a better place.
My students love engineering, but supplies present a unique challenge during distance learning.
Some students have more access to resources at home and some students have less. I am requesting enough supplies for each student to program their own micro computer. This will enable them to continue hands-on learning while being socially distant.
My Project
Through this project my fourth grade students will get to use Micro-Bits while learning about the United Nations Global Goals "14: Life on Land" and "15: Life Below Water."
Connecting computer science to service learning is a powerful engagement tool, especially for girls.
This is evident in the IF/THEN Collection. I will engage students by showing them clips of how Flor Larson uses computer science to keep our country safe and how Natalie Evans-Harris uses computer programming to bring together a diversity of thoughts and opinions. I think the interview with Afua Bruce when she says she uses "technology and data science to improve community and in service of humanity" will resonate with students who want to make a difference but may have never considered a STEM career. It is important for all students to see how science and computer programming can be used to help others. This capitalizes on children's natural desire to be helpers. In my experience, when students have the opportunity to use technology to help others, they are more engaged and more of the students become interested in STEM fields.
Through this project, my students will program Micro-Bits to help "Life on Land" and "Life Below Water" by designing inventions such as fishing nets that light up, safety lights for turtles, anti-poaching collars, and more. In addition to the guided challenges from World's Largest Lesson, students will also use their Micro-Bits to prototype their own ideas. In this way, students will learn how to computer program and how they can contribute to the United Nations Global Goals. They will get to use technology for good!
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 Dr. Imhoff and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.