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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. OFlaherty from Dorchester, MA is requesting reading nooks, desks & storage through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. OFlaherty is requesting

Adding the A to STEAM

My students need stuff to create a Maker Space in my classroom. We're working on really adding the "A" to STEAM. My students will utilize these materials to complete a "Maker" project in English class!

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. OFlaherty's classroom raised $511

This project is fully funded

My Students

My students are 9th graders who are attending a large, urban high school that services grades 7-12. They have a very rigorous day at our school, moving from class to class. Our school is the most diverse school in the city and often listed as the most diverse school in our state. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, spiritual beliefs, races, previous school experiences, and even socioeconomic backgrounds. Our students seek admission to our public school and come from all over the city in order to attend. They also have a variety of learning styles. Each year, we have more and more students with disabilities, particularly autism. We have a very large population for whom English is not their first language.

Our students are bright, committed, urban students who would benefit tremendously from better access to technology--especially since many do not even have internet access at home.

My Project

I want my students to engage in Design Thinking in the ELA classroom, while making connections across subject lines and disciplines. By utilizing culturally relevant design thinking: empathizing with an issue or problem, defining those problems, ideating solutions and ultimately prototyping and testing those solutions, I can provide my students with a framework to develop innovative, creative thinking and problem-solving. The Design Thinking process boosts independent thinking yet promotes student collaboration. Students will express themselves in entirely new and different ways than they might otherwise do in an ELA classroom.

The Design Thinking process allows me to become a facilitator of learning and not the sole source of knowledge in the classroom.

It frees my students up to be independent learners. I decided to create a project with this in mind. After reading The Odyssey, students will re-create Odysseus's Heroic Journey in the shape of a Rube Goldberg Machine.

A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption in which a series of devices that perform simple tasks link together to produce a domino effect where one device triggers the next. They are often seen in cartoons and movies. Hero's Journey- think story of Moses, Star Wars, Lion King, the Odyssey, where a hero is called to an adventure, faces obstacles along the way and overcomes them to achieve a goal.

This approach provides an interdisciplinary, hands-on opportunity. In order for my students to truly create and innovate with their Rube Goldberg machine, we need stuff like foil, carboard, rivets, and pipe cleaners. The materials I'm asking for will give my students the freedom to create and innovate without having to worry about whether or not they have to find things at home. Students can create wildly without worry. Doing so will enhance their ability to have fun and enthusiastically create and free me up to facilitate.

Ms. OFlaherty Boston Latin Academy Grades 9-12

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Dorchester, MA View local requests

Nearly all 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

125 students impacted 5donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Winsome Halifax Cabinet for Closet/Office, 7 Drawers, White • Amazon Business $110.88 1 $110.88
3-PACK of Organizer Trays for Desk, Utensils, Tools, Crafts, Vanity - 15.7" X 11.7" X 2.0" - White • Amazon Business $8.99 8 $71.92
ETA hand2mind Wood Dominoes Classroom Basics Kit • Amazon Business $53.55 1 $53.55
Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil (200 Square Foot Roll) • Amazon Business $9.19 3 $27.57
Mr. McGroovys Box Rivets Half and Half Kit • Amazon Business $19.94 1 $19.94
Prextex 100 Pc Die Cast Toy Cars Party Favors or Cake Toppers Stocking Suffers Cars Toys For Kids • Amazon Business $18.99 1 $18.99
Click N' Play 300-piece Wooden Domino Blocks Set • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Makedo Cardboard Construction Tools - Perfect for In-Classroom STEM Learning and At-Home Play - Includes 30 Reusable Makedo Tools - Suitable for Children Age 4+ • Amazon Business $15.00 1 $15.00
Deli Food Storage Containers with Lids, 16 Ounce, 50 Count • Amazon Business $12.50 1 $12.50
Acerich 300 Pcs Assorted Colors Pipe Cleaners DIY Art Craft Chenille Stems (6 mm x 12 Inch) • Amazon Business $11.59 1 $11.59
Sulyn Glitter Funnels, 2 Pack • Amazon Business $5.10 2 $10.20
Coceca 300 Pcs Colorful Feathers for DIY Craft Wedding Home Party Decorations • Amazon Business $7.99 1 $7.99
JPSOR 120pcs 3"-6" Colorful Spotted Feathers for DIY Craft, Jewelry and Clothing Decoration, 10 Colors • Amazon Business $7.29 1 $7.29
Popsicle Sticks, 200pc, 4-1/2" Length, FDA Approved Food Grade Wooden Ice Cream Sticks, Great Sticks for Crafts, By Fedmax. • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
Karlash Jumbo Craft Sticks 6" Length Pack of 100 Pieces • Amazon Business $5.48 1 $5.48

Materials cost

$397.88

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.97

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$433.85

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$76.56

Total project goal

$510.41

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $510.41

1 Donor

-$260.00

Donations toward project cost

-$221.00

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$39.00

match offer

-$250.41

Match offer toward project cost

-$212.85

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$37.56

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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 Ms. OFlaherty and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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