Help me give my students Design & Build Engineering Centers, Create-A-Chain Reaction Kits and Don't Lose Your Marbles Lab to enhance our STEM/STEAM learning time.
Our class is full of eager, little learners from various backgrounds. Our school is Title One and offers completely free breakfast and lunch for all students. There are a large number of students in our school who rely on the backpack program for food. There is a high mobility rate in our area due to migrant work and homelessness. Our community is in a rural part of the county, which limits our families' access to resources.
Our students are a creative bunch who want to experiment, create and learn as much as they can.
They love challenges and exceeding expectations. They set goals for themselves in all areas of learning. Growth mindset is a big part of our class academically and socially.
My Project
STEAM materials are needed to help our students think outside the box. These building sets will help them create and complete STEM challenges throughout the year. Our weekly STEM time is done in pairs or small groups, variety of materials is needed to make this successful. The Design & Build Engineering Centers will give the kids an opportunity to use materials not usually found in schools or their homes. This set includes a set to build bridges, vehicles and houses using different materials. The Chain Reaction STEM Kits allows kids to explore actions and reactions of objects while creatively building. Don't Lose Your Marbles set teaches about kinetic and potential energy while building courses. The materials will be stored in clear plastic boxes and stored on our STEM shelf. Kids will be able to choose the building material they think will best meet the challenge.
The STEM challenges showcase our students' different learning styles and encourage tolerance of diverse thinking.
Every project is discussed and celebrated when completed. If a group is struggling to meet the challenge, we discuss the thought process being used and brainstorm other ideas. Allowing kids multiple ways to accomplish a goal helps them see the value in diverse thinking. This experience with tolerating and celebrating diverse thinking will benefit them in and out of the classroom.
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. Lemmon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
