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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Dillard from Vancouver, WA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Dillard is requesting

Equitable STEM Opportunities

Help me give my students hands-on robotics kits to explore engineering, coding, and innovation.

  • $6,377 goal

This project expired on September 20, 2025.

This project expired on September 20, 2025.

My Project

I teach a diverse group of 6th graders who are curious, creative, and eager to explore hands-on technology. Next year, I expect to teach a full-year technology class, and many of my students will be engaging in robotics and coding for the first time.

This project aims to provide students with the necessary equipment to engage in and experience robotics, engineering, and coding firsthand.

With the robot kits, field tiles, and game elements, students will explore engineering concepts by designing their robots, programming through block- and Python-based coding, collaborating in teams to solve real-world problems, and participating in classroom-based competitions.

Because I do not have enough complete kits for all students to participate simultaneously, we are limited in how many students can fully engage in the design and programming process. This limits creativity, access, and equity in the classroom.

Your support will directly expose students to STEAM concepts including mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science. With a full set of functional VEX IQ components, I can ensure that every student has a meaningful, hands-on role in building and programming throughout the year—not just observing from the sidelines.

By contributing to this project, you are helping to close the opportunity gap in STEM education. At our school, over 62% of students come from low-income households, and approximately 59% identify as students of color. These students are part of communities that have historically been underrepresented in robotics, engineering, and computer science. Your support will provide access to meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences that many of my students would not otherwise have. This project empowers all students—regardless of background—to build real-world technical skills, grow their confidence, and begin to see themselves as future engineers, coders, and problem-solvers.

Mr. Dillard Gaiser Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Vancouver, WA 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

120 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
VEX IQ Competition Kit (2nd generation) • Vex Robotics $699.99 4 $2,799.96
VEX IQ Education to Competition Upgrade Kit • Vex Robotics $205.99 5 $1,029.95
VEX IQ Competition Field Perimeter & Tiles • Vex Robotics $339.90 1 $339.90
2025-26 VEX IQ Robotics Competition "Mix & Match" Full Game & Field Element Kit • Vex Robotics $149.99 1 $149.99
VEX IQ Field Case • Vex Robotics $31.99 4 $127.96

Materials cost

$4,447.76

Vendor shipping charges

 $486.40

Sales tax

 $389.18

3rd party payment processing fee

$66.72

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$5,420.06

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$956.48

Total project goal

$6,376.54

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

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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. Dillard and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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