My students are creative and inquisitive. They are passionate about learning and love hands-on projects. My students have a range of interests and experiences that they bring to our intimate, after-school environment. They thrive on the ability to share these interests with adults and peers, and our program gives them that platform.
Our STEAM after-school program is in our first, pilot year and we are in great need of supplies that will support our STEAM goals.
We are an after-school program that serves the students of our district's Title 1 school. Our unique community is filled with artists and makers. We value these careers but have felt the affects of educational budget cuts and high cost of living in our community.
After a long day of school, our students are relieved to engage in play-based activities that are high-interest and exploratory. Student choice is valued and student input is encouraged. We have created a space where students feel comfortable expressing their creativity and taking risks as they explore the world of STEAM.
My Project
To reach our STEAM goals, we need to add the "T" for technology. We hope to reach our most curious inventors and innovators with these fun and engaging coding, circuitry, and robotics projects. If fulfilled, we will begin our implementation of technology in our classroom's Makerspace.
We have the opportunity to take our STEAM program into the 21st century with these highly-engaging educational technology tools.
From day one, my students have been eager to begin robotics, coding, and engineering projects. We are currently limited to simple, everyday, Dollar store materials, but with these tech projects and tools, we will take our program to the next level. Our students can't wait to get their hands on these exciting new tools and projects:
"Little Bits Code Kit" where students can practice coding to create and invent games, "Cubelets Robot Blocks" for curiosity growth in robotics, and a "Makey Makey Invention Kit" that will work with an "Acer R11 Chromebook" and students can 'turn the whole world into a keyboard'. These items will be added to our classroom's "Makerspace" and lead our exploration of technology, robotics, and inventions. The Chromebook will also be used for educational research and community outreach. It will give my students the ability to share their projects and inventions on the web via programs like Padlet.
Our students deserve the opportunity to use educational technology in a new and exciting way. For most of our students, this will be their only opportunity to get their hands on materials that will prepare them for the STEAM careers of the 21st century. We have the time, space, and passion to offer a high-quality, after-school STEAM program, and we just need your help to give us the means to do it.
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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 Teacher Garfas-Knowles and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.