Botley Bonanza: Screen-Free Coding in the Early Grades!
My students need Botley robots to explore coding concepts and develop their 21st-century skills beginning in kindergarten and first grade.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Lugo's classroom raised $892
This project is fully funded
My Students
I teach inquisitive, energetic students in a wonderful and diverse Title 1 school in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island. Almost all of our students receive free lunch (just like I did as a child), but I won't let that define them or their future. I see promise and possibility. Across all grade levels, I see students who want to learn, who want to be successful, who want to feel special, and who want to be recognized for their uniqueness.
My students love to watch their ideas in action.
In our coding classes, whether we are unplugged or using electronics, they are so excited to see their thinking come to life. Hands-on is my hook, and I can't wait to ignite their creativity and help them develop problem-solving skills with these fantastic resources.
My Project
Through our STEM classes this year, we are emphasizing the 21st-century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The seven requested Botley Coding Robots and Action Challenge Accessory Packs are fun, hands-on tools that help teach creative problem solving and computational thinking, all without a screen. We will be able to easily integrate these resources, which include coding cards, challenges, and chain-reaction accessory pieces, to enhance our computer science program. We will also be able to put a new and exciting spin on our existing balance and motion unit in second grade.
Working with Botley the Coding Robot will spark my junior programmers' curiosity and confidence while providing fun and engaging ways of learning, bringing their excitement and engagement to the next level.
With seven robots in the classroom, student groups of just three to four students will work to build puzzles for Botley and then solve them by coding together. I am already anticipating their smiles and cheers when they successfully program this adorable robot to navigate pathways and conquer the obstacle courses they have designed for it.
As we are in our first year of computer science instruction in our school, these resources will be yet another step in the right direction to help us meet our early grade students' needs, helping them grow into the leaders and programmers of tomorrow.
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
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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 Mrs. Lugo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
