My students need computer mice to help design a 3D model of a self-sustaining Martian colony!
FULLY FUNDED! Mr. DeBois's classroom raised $445
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
"This is more exciting than video games!" An unexpected comment from a student engaged in 3D design. The problem to solve? Find a new home for humanity. Our student-researchers realized Earth's carrying capacity for humans was fast approaching. Their solution? Colonize space itself. Their task? Build a 3D-printed model of a space settlement in low-Mars-orbit. Close to the asteroid belt, Mars was a perfect solution to our growing demand for mineral resources. Their audience? NASA scientists and engineers who would judge the feasibility of their settlement.
"What if NASA actually likes our ideas?" This was exactly what I wanted them to ask.
The "What ifs" are essential to our practice here, not just the "How does" or "What is" inquires. We capitalize on the diversity in our classrooms, wanting students from all backgrounds to search for answers and generate ideas together to solve one fundamental problem at a time. We are a colorful school with a broad mix of cultural and racial identities. Our classrooms are filled with students from mostly low- and mid-SES families. Two of our four classes are ICT, while the others are inclusion, partnered with local D75 schools. We believe in progress through diversity.
My Project
Why is 3D design important in middle school? How does it benefit our students socially, emotionally, and neurologically? And why are computer mice so important for our class 3D projects?
Creative STEM innovators, responsible digital citizens, and motivated learners.
3D design allows our students to pull from their imagination and create it on a screen. It encourages creativity, ingenuity, and collaboration. The joy a student experiences as their dreams come to life on a screen is unlike anything I've seen before in a classroom.
So why computer mice? There's nothing more frustrating than trying to manipulate a complex, three-dimensional object on a screen with a small two-by-two inch touchpad. Resizing a hexagon to align with its neighboring polygon is next to impossible with a touchpad... and I ask my 11 and 12-year-olds to do this almost every day. And they do because engagement and joy are high. But using a mouse makes a world of difference, especially to students who are low in technological literacy or struggle with fine motor control.
Our students are doing spectacular work. Your contribution would help us bring the level of their 3D designs up even further. Thank you for your consideration!
More than half 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
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. DeBois and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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