My students need four Chromebooks, one for each child in the STEM Center, plus a reliable warranty to protect from any drops or spills for the first year.
Fifth grade is an important year when students begin to grow their own wings, but some of my students haven't yet fallen in love with STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Well, I believe, "The man who has no imagination has no wings." ~Muhammad Ali
These fifth graders are in their last year at their small elementary school in Daly City, California.
Their multicultural neighborhood contains a warm and friendly Filipino culture that also welcomes African American, Latino, Japanese and Chinese populations, among others. There are restaurants, shopping malls, movie theaters and a lot of fun nearby, but this is a hard working and appreciative neighborhood. These kids have been raised to say thank you. They are proud to arrive early to school to run safety patrol at the cross streets or to take down chairs in the classroom before school.
There is so much potential in these students, but not all of the students understand all of the exciting opportunities STEM careers could offer them. I hope to open a window to that world with these four Chromebooks. I want these girls and boys to learn how creative it is to be a programmer or how exciting it is to be a scientist. I am ready to fight this fight and help them imagine their futures.
My Project
These four Chromebooks will have an important job in my classroom every week. Every Tuesday and Friday during our 21st Century Centers, students, in groups of four in each rotation, will be able to use these Chromebooks to expand their learning in their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Rotation. While learning about Mixtures and Solutions, they will be able to access FOSS simulations of labs before they experience their hands-on science lab for themselves. When studying the Periodic Table, they can open up the TED-Ed interactive periodic table to learn about the genius of Medeleev's discoveries and all of the amazing elements that make up our world. In December they can celebrate an Hour of Code and try computer coding for themselves for the first time! They can watch "flipped class" videos that explain the CCSS Math they are learning or take practice Smarter Balance tests in the spring. There are endless ways these Chromebooks will enrich this STEM Center!
With their portability and wifi connection, these Chromebooks will allow students to use the Internet without having to leave their desk or their Center Rotation.
They can continue to work collaboratively with classmates while simultaneously having access to the outside world around them for inspiration, enrichment or support. Students will be able to watch "flip class" videos that re-teach new concepts in Math or Science or that provide an added challenge to those students who are ready!
More than a third 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
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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. Jinzo and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
