My students are extremely creative! They amaze me with the ideas and things they create. One of their favorite resources in our classroom is our math manipulatives. They love creating towers, bridges, and forts during indoor recess. Some of my students have a hard time with where to start on a creation, or they get discouraged along the way and are unsure of what to do next. At times, they even feel they should give up. This year, I read about how recent research on the brain shows that mistakes actually spark more brain activity than when a student gets an answer correct! The book, "Mathematical Mindsets" by Jo Boaler references growth mindset studies in school-aged children by Carol Dweck and Jason Moser.
STEM projects enable my students to develop a growth mindset about problems they encounter.
When my students struggle with strategizing and critical thinking, I remind them how mistakes are important in life. Through these discussions, my students are slowly learning that mistakes and problems grow your brain. Now, my students are encouraging each other when faced with a problem, and even rejoice when their tower falls and they know they must try again to rebuild!
My Project
My goal through this project is to develop applied logic through interactive STEM games. These materials will enable my students to work on critical thinking, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
My students LOVE inventing and creating with STEM toys.
They are also learning that through STEM challenges, they are expanding their minds and accomplishing goals they set for themselves. I want my students to be exposed to solving technical problems given constraints early in their education.
My students love to create towers and construct bridges from tiles or blocks. I have even had some students try to recreate a campsite using building blocks since Camping is our classroom theme. The Swish, On the Dot, Marble Run, Rush Hour, and Blokus games will challenge my students to strategize and create patterns. The EMIDO disks and Creative Kid Flakes will add to the options for students to practice their constructing skills. I would like to see STEM activities with my third graders truly change the way they think when faced with a problem. I love to see my students eager to persevere and find a solution!
Magformers Basic Set (30 pieces) magnetic building blocks, educational magnetic tiles, magnetic building STEM toy
• Amazon Business
$29.48
2
$58.96
PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks Construction Playboards, Creativity beyond Imagination, Inspirational, Recreational, Educational Conventional
• Amazon Business
$49.98
1
$49.98
Plus-600-Piece Basic Assortment
• Amazon Business
$30.59
1
$30.59
ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Logic Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up – Toy of the Year Award Winner
• Amazon Business
$29.95
1
$29.95
EMIDO Building Blocks Kids Educational Toys STEM Toys Building Discs Sets Interlocking Solid Plastic for Preschool Kids Boys and Girls, Safe Material for Kids - 120 pieces with Storage Bag
• Amazon Business
$13.98
2
$27.96
MindWare Q-bitz
• Amazon Business
$21.39
1
$21.39
Think Fun Rush Hour Junior Traffic Jam Logic Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 5 and Up - Junior Version of the International Rush Hour
• Amazon Business
Blokus Duo Two Player Strategy Game
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Creative Kids Flakes - 600 Piece Interlocking Plastic Disc Set for Fun, Creative Building - Educational STEM Construction Toy for Boys & Girls - Non Toxic, Ages 3 & Up (tub colors may vary)
• Amazon Business
$14.97
1
$14.97
ThinkFun Swish - A Fun Transparent Card Game and Toy of the Year Nominee For Age 8 and Up
• Amazon Business
$12.49
1
$12.49
Brainwright On The Dot Game
• Amazon Business
$7.00
1
$7.00
Materials cost
$308.26
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$25.12
3rd party payment processing fee
$4.62
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$368.00
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$64.94
Total project goal
$432.94
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$432.94
1 Donor
-$432.94
Donations toward project cost
-$368.00
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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 Mrs. Hawk and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.