My kindergarten class loves to build. Our elementary school is working towards a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) culture. Using these straws and connectors use creativity, engineering, and problem solving skills that fit perfectly into our curriculum.
The majority of students come from middle income families.
Our school, however, keeps having to cut funding for supplies and almost everything else. Our community has not passed overrides or bonds for years leaving our schools in financial distress. Our PTO has raised over $70,000 to pay for a librarian and other necessary staff members. In addition they have purchased new computers and other much needed supplies. Our families have supported our PTO and donate to so much to our school. Many of our parents, however, are also going through financial hardships and there is never enough for the little things. My students would love to have the opportunity to use their engineering skills to create structures with straws and connectors.
My Project
Straws and connectors will help my students understand shapes, architectural/engineering principles, as well as let them use their imagination to problem solve. My students will build tall towers using only the straws and connectors and teamwork. Students will also have to figure out the importance of a strong base, how to make the structure taller than the students creating it, and how to raise that structure to the ceiling. It will start to prepare them for a future of problem solving.
Our country is falling behind in the STEM areas.
Our school is trying to focus on those areas and get kids excited to learn. This is just one of the many activities I would like to offer to my class to excite them about learning!
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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. McCulloch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.