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Mr. Smitka from Waterford, MI is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mr. Smitka's classroom raised $311

Documenting Robotic Seasons Through Film

My students need a Flip HD Video Camera, with a camera case and a tripod.

Classroom photo
Mr. Smitka profile photo
Mr. Smitka Kettering High School
Waterford, MI Grades 9-12

It’s always fun to let everyone know what students are doing in the classroom, but it’s even better when you can show them. Each year, my engineering students create robots through various competitions such as VEX and FIRST. Throughout each season and tournament, I document what students do from the first day of the build season. From brainstorming, building prototypes, to the final tournament that they compete in, hundreds and hundreds of pictures are taken. At the end of the season we have a recap of the pictures in a slideshow, which we then post on our team website. But pictures can only show so much, so now we want to take it to the next level, with an HD video recap.

Being a team in FIRST, we rely heavily on sponsorships, donations, and contributions through various companies, website, and individuals. With FIRST costing easily over $7,000 to compete in each season, our budget is very tight for extracurricular components that we want to incorporate into our team and program.

By having a HD Flip Camera, along with all the bells and whistles to help transport it from competition to competition and give us a nice steady shot, we will be able to document our brainstorming, prototypes, testing, and competitions, all while sharing what we do with our team, school, and the community. This will then help spread our team name and program show our great accomplishments throughout each season. The videos will also give our team a library of mechanisms, results, and strategies that were used in previous seasons. Just like in any sport, we like to watch game film!

With your help, my students will be able to create movies and document each season, ultimately making our team more successful. You will make it possible for my students utilize technology by taking video from day one of each robotic season, and create recaps of prototypes, designs, and competitions to share with everyone.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

25 students impacted 1 donor
Mr. Smitka Kettering High School Grades 9-12

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Waterford, MI View local requests

More than three‑quarters of 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

25 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
PURE Digital Flip Video tripod • CDW Inc. $14.99 1 $14.99
PURE Digital Flip Video Soft Pouch pouch for camcorder • CDW Inc. $24.99 1 $24.99
Flip Video UltraHD Camcorder Black Chrome 120 Minutes • CDW Inc. $179.99 1 $179.99

Materials cost

$219.97

Vendor shipping charges

 $22.00

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.30

Fulfillment labor & materials

$9.00

Total project cost

$254.27

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$55.82

Total project goal

$310.09

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $310.09

1 Donor

-$310.09

Donations toward project cost

-$254.27

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$55.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity
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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 Mr. Smitka and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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