I have started a new Computer Science program here at my school. It is a large, public school in Palm Beach County, FL. This year has been my first year teaching a Pre-AP Computer Science class to my 9th Graders, and I am also teaching the new AP Computer Science Principles class this year with 3 sections totaling about 90 kids in 10th - 12th Grades. I've been using the Code.org Curriculum, and the class has been amazing this year! I also teach two very full sections of Digital Design, totaling about 80 kids. I see about 180+ kids in all those sections!
I never, ever expected the response that I got when we started this program!
I will be honest when I tell you that I was scared to death. I know technology, but did I know the "Science" behind it, no! I expected to have a few students interested, so I decided with my Administration to offer one section each of the Pre-AP and AP Computer Science Principles. The response was overwhelming! I received slightly under 300 applications for the two tiny sections. The kids are hungry for this subject.
My Project
My Computer Science students, both Pre-AP and AP, as well as all of my Digital Design students would greatly benefit from the use of technology like this in my class. It's this kind of technology that the students are hungry for, but they are limited usually by funding and/or politics. We have experimented with some of the 3D components in our design software, but only seeing it on the screen sometimes doesn't have the impact that it really could.
If my students could see their thinking and problem solving come to life in their hands with something tangible, the possibilities are endless!
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 Mr. Macsuga and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
