My students need four sets of GoldieBlox materials to provide them with fun building challenges, the freedom to create, and experiences that build confidence and knowledge about engineers.
This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
This year we have built houses out of marshmallows, Dots & toothpicks, beaver dams out of mud, sticks and rocks and protective "pumpkin packages" out of tape, straws, plates, paper towels and string. Our students love "thinking with their hands" and we want to continue giving them chances to do so.
Our students are an awesome group of kindergarteners who are very excited about engineering!
They love to build things and learn about building. We want our students to see themselves as young engineers, to have their interest in engineering grow, and for them to envision the possibility of becoming engineers, if they so choose.
We want students to be excited about and engaged in learning and find school to be relevant to their lives. We want them to see themselves as part of a global community and have some knowledge about people who live in different places and do things differently than they do. We want our students to believe in themselves and their potential to do whatever it is they are interested in.
My Project
During science time on Thursdays and Fridays, a volunteer conducts engineering challenges with the students. We are proposing to use Goldieblox kits during these sessions to get the students building. Goldieblox toys are beneficial in exposing girls to positive early engineering experiences, which may contribute to more girls choosing careers in engineering later in life, an important aspect of our project considering the very small numbers of women engineers. In addition, by purchasing several kits, our students will be able to perform the intended challenges as well as use and combine parts from different kits to make their own creations. From these experiences they will gain confidence and experience in building things and learn how the world works.
Research shows that college graduates with a degree in engineering receive higher salaries than graduates in any other field.
Black and Hispanic college graduates earn less than 16% of engineering degrees even though they make up 30% of college graduates. We believe that the solution to these disparities starts with introducing fun, engaging engineering-related learning experiences to students in Kindergarten.
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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 Ms. Carroll and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.