My students need a classroom set of Dash and Dot robots, along with 6 kid-friendly Kindle tablets to program them, in order to expand their ability to creatively solve problems through computational thinking and coding.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Lugo's classroom raised $3,239
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 my STEM classes this year, I am emphasizing the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. The classroom pack of Dash & Dot robots, along with the accompanying Kindle tablets the students need to program them with, are amazing, hands-on learning tools that help teach creative problem solving and computational thinking, and I will be able to integrate these resources, which include a curriculum guide and lesson plans, into my existing computer science program.
This project 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.
They will apply their coding knowledge as they program the robots to interact with students, their environment, and each other by dancing, reacting to noises, sensing and avoiding obstacles, and anything else my students can imagine. How empowering it will be for my junior programmers to write the actual block code that causes the robots to respond!
There will be challenges, but I want my students to experience this, for it is by persisting through frustration that they will not only accomplish their goals, but feel the pride and satisfaction of success over something difficult. This isn't just a computer science or engineering skill - it's a life skill, and I'm grateful that I can help facilitate this kind of valuable learning.
We are in our first year of computer science instruction in our school, and these resources are a step in the right direction to help us meet their needs as learners now, as they 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.
