My students need hands on building and engineering experiences! As we know, it takes all types of people to make the world go round, and my students need more hands on engineering opportunities.
My students are from a lower income, 80% free or reduced lunch community, which is heavily impacted by trauma. They were born into adversity, and simply coming to school is often a difficulty. Yet they are resourceful and make do with what they have, but do not have access to a lot of extra materials or opportunities. Many of them come from families that have been affected by some sort of severe trauma; from incarceration, crime, fires, homelessness, refugee status, just about anything you can imagine. They take care of their younger siblings and have responsibilities far beyond their years. Their youth is often fleeting and filled with adult issues they should not, yet, have to face, especially in this time of economic hardship and uncertainty. Too many of them are not afforded the opportunity to simply be a child, to explore, and to play. I want to create a haven for them, where they can flourish and feel safe.
My Project
We have books, and we have paper, but my students are missing hands on building and engineering experiences. The opportunity to create something, to design and test, and redesign and test again.
With all this focus on testing and literacy and math-which is important, some of my students never get to get their hands dirty, and some who struggle with the reading or math never find their talent, and become frustrated with school.
Having real engineering tasks, not only brings our reading to life, but provides hands on real world experience in creating. Many leaders of top companies and colleges today say they see the next generation, some of the top thinkers or their time, unable to think creatively and outside the box. They cannot accept the many failures that may come before a success, and the lesson to be found in that. These hands on learning experiences will provide exactly that. A place to bridge the gap with my highest as well as lowers readers, to come together in a meaningful problem solving test where thinking, hands on work, and perseverance is all you need.
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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. Jensen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.