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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. McLoda from Dallas, TX is requesting computers & tablets through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. McLoda is requesting

Hands-On AI, Robotics, and Mechatronics Lab for Future Engineers

Help me give my students a hands-on AI and Robotics Lab with modern tools to build, code, and invent the future.

FULLY FUNDED! Mr. McLoda's classroom raised $7,303

This project is fully funded

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate 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 Project

What I love most about my students is their determination and curiosity. Many come from low-income families and have worked incredibly hard to earn their place at our STEM magnet school. They see themselves as future engineers, and I want to give them the tools to bring those dreams to life.

With these resources, my students will learn by doing — coding, soldering, prototyping, and deploying real AI, robotics, and mechatronics projects.

Using Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and ESP32 microcontrollers, they will build circuits and wearables. Sensors will let them design projects like health-tracking devices, air-quality monitors, and smart systems that conserve resources. AI-capable computers will allow them to train and deploy their own machine-learning models for projects in machine vision and autonomous vehicles. Robotics kits and prototyping tools will provide the platform for hands-on experimentation as I guide them through the engineering design process.

My colleagues and I have years of experience teaching robotics, but we have now outgrown much of our equipment. This grant represents a carefully curated toolkit — robust enough to serve students for 6–8 years and versatile enough to support four semesters of new coursework, from electronics and embedded systems through advanced robotics, edge AI, and capstone projects. These resources will also create shared lab kits for other courses, such as biomechanics in Biomedical Engineering, and strengthen our robotics competition teams with AI-capable systems for autonomous design.

I designed this lab to capture the spirit of the MIT Media Lab and the legendary robotics competitions where I learned the value of creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Through their capstone projects, my students will not only gain confidence as engineers but also build standout portfolios that help them shine in college applications to top universities.

Mr. McLoda Science & Engineering Magnet at Townview Center Grades 9-12

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.

Dallas, TX 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

104 students impacted 32donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev2 with headers [ABX00072] - nRF52840 - Micropython, Small Form Factor, Bluetooth Low Energy, 3V3. • Amazon Business $25.22 25 $630.50
Seeeduino XIAO Expansion Board with Quick Prototyping Rich peripherals, No Soldering Needed and Circuit Python Supported. • Amazon Business $24.99 25 $624.75
Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32 S3 Sense - 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, BLE 5.0, OV2640 Camera Sensor, Digital Microphone, 8MB PSRAM, 8MB Flash, Battery Charge Supported, Rich Interface, IoT, Embedded ML … • Amazon Business $23.51 25 $587.75
Grove - Vision AI Module V2 - Arm Cortex-M55 & Ethos-U55, TensorFlow and PyTorch Supported, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Seeed Studio XIAO, ESP-Based dev Board Compatible • Amazon Business $24.49 17 $416.33
GeeekPi Basic Starter Kit for Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W, BreadBoard Kit with Half-Size Breadboard and Jumper Wire Pack for Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W (Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico W Not Included) • Amazon Business $16.59 25 $414.75
Waveshare 2inch LCD Display Module, Compatible with Raspberry Pi/Pi zero/Arduino/Esp32, with ST7789 Driver, 262K Color, IPS Screen, 240×320 Resolution, SPI Interface • Amazon Business $13.99 25 $349.75
Pi Pico 2 W - RP2350 Microcontroller Board, Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi, Dual-Core ARM & RISC-V 150MHz CPU, 520KB RAM, 4MB Flash, 26 GPIO, C/C++, MicroPython and CircuitPython Support • Amazon Business $12.93 25 $323.25
MyoWare 2 Muscle Sensor • Amazon Business $43.50 7 $304.50
Grove - Vision AI Module V2 - Arm Cortex-M55 & Ethos-U55, TensorFlow and PyTorch Supported, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Seeed Studio XIAO, ESP-Based dev Board Compatible • Amazon Business $24.49 8 $195.92
Arducam for Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3, 12MP IMX708 75°(D) Autofocus Pi Camera V3, 15-22pin FFC Cable • Amazon Business $23.00 8 $184.00
EEMB 10PACK Lithium Polymer Battery 3.7V 2000mAh 103454 Lipo Rechargeable Battery Pack with Wire JST Connector for Speaker and Wireless Device- Confirm Device & Connector Polarity Before Purchase • Amazon Business $83.13 2 $166.26
Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) • Amazon Business $127.90 1 $127.90
4pcs TOF400C VL53L1X 4M Laser Ranging Sensor Module TOF Time-of-Flight Distance IIC Output for Arduino STM32 • Amazon Business $19.82 6 $118.92
HiLetgo 1.3" SPI 128x64 SSH1106 OLED LCD Display LCD Module for Arduino AVR STM32 • Amazon Business $8.98 13 $116.74
SunFounder Lab 4 Relay Module 5V 4 Channels Relay Module Compatible with Arduino R3 1280 Arm PIC AVR STM32 • Amazon Business $7.59 13 $98.67
BTF-LIGHTING SK6812(WS2812B) RGBW LED Chips 200PCS RGB+Cool White Individually Addressable 5050SMD Module Pixels Light DC5V White PCB Chasing Dream Color for Christmas(No Adapter or Controller) • Amazon Business $30.79 3 $92.37
Raspberry Pi AI Kit: M.2 HAT+, Hailo AI Module, 16mm Header, Spacers, Screws - Bluetooth Connectivity - Single Board Computer • Amazon Business $91.59 1 $91.59
Heart Rate Sensor Module MAX30102 Pulse Detection Blood Oxygen Concentration Compatible for Arduino STM32 (Pack of 2) • Amazon Business $12.99 7 $90.93
Sparkleiot 8 Bits WS2812 RGB LED Stick 8 X WS2812B 5050 Full Color RGB LED Module Built-in Drivers for Arduino Raspberry Pi ESP32 Shopping Mall Home Decoration Lighting Pack of 5pcs • Amazon Business $14.99 5 $74.95
Hosyond 5 Pcs 1.3 Inch IIC I2C OLED Display Module 128x64 Pixel SH1106 Screen Module Compatible with Arduino/Raspberry Pi (White) • Amazon Business $17.88 4 $71.52
Teyleten Robot 1.28 Inch TFT LCD Display Module Round RGB 240 * 240 GC9A01 Driver 4 Wire SPI Interface 240x240 PCB for Arduino 3PCS • Amazon Business $16.99 4 $67.96
ElectroCookie Prototype Board Breadboard Style PCB Solder Board for DIY Electronic Projects, Compatible for Arduino Projects, Gold-Plated (6 Color Pack + 7 Screw Terminal Block Connectors) • Amazon Business $12.91 5 $64.55
MakerFocus 2pcs 1.3 Inch I2C IIC OLED Display Module 128 x 64 Pixel SH1106 Self-Luminous Display Board for Arduino/Raspberry Pi/ESP32 • Amazon Business $8.99 7 $62.93
Beffkkip 12PCS MG90S 9g Micro Servo Motor Metal Gear for RC Robot Car Plane Helicopter Mini Servos for Arduino Project • Amazon Business $29.98 2 $59.96
5PCS HC-05 Wireless Bluetooth Receiver RF Serial Transceiver Module Master Slave Integrated Bluetooth Module 6 Pin Wireless Serial Port Communication BT Module • Amazon Business $18.95 3 $56.85
EC Buying 5Pcs INMP441 Omnidirectional Microphone Module MEMS I2S Interface Supports ESP32 High Precision Low Power Digital Output • Amazon Business $10.99 5 $54.95
DaFuRui 5 Sets Pan Tilt Servo Mount Bracket for MG995 MG996R S3003 U-Shaped L-Shaped Steering Gear Bracket Robot Car Boat • Amazon Business $16.82 3 $50.46
TT Gear Motor 1 : 90 Mini DC 6V Gear TT Motor with Metal Gears for Robot Smart Car DIY RC Toys Electric Motor Gearbox(8pcs 1 : 90 TT Motor Blue) • Amazon Business $16.14 3 $48.42
Molence 50PCS 2.54mm 0.1" Pitch PCB Mount Screw Terminal Block Connector, 2P 3P 4P Terminals 150V 6A for 26-18AWG Cable • Amazon Business $14.99 3 $44.97
Teyleten Robot TB6612FNG Dual DC Stepper Motor Driver Module 1.2A Peak 3.2A Better Than L298N(Pack of 3) • Amazon Business $7.81 5 $39.05
WayinTop 5pcs 360 Degree Rotary Encoder Module KY-040 Brick Sensor Development Board with Push Button for Arduino • Amazon Business $11.59 3 $34.77
ACEIRMC 10pcs TT Magnetic Gearbox Engine DC Electric Motor 3V-6V Dual Shaft Geared ，DIY for Arduino Smart Car Robot Toys Cars Chassis Models Vibration Products (I Shape 1:48 Reduction Ratio) • Amazon Business $10.29 3 $30.87
WWZMDiB 5 Pcs Mifare RC522 RFID Reader Writer Module Kit Compatible with for Arduino Raspberry Pi STM32 (with S50 White Card and Key Ring) • Amazon Business $9.99 3 $29.97
840Pcs Breadboard Jumper Wire kit for Arduino, 14 Vaules, 2 mm/0.08"-125 mm/4.92" Minidodoca U-Shape Magnetic Jumper Wires Assortment kit & 4Pcs 34cm/13.4 inch Length Alligator Clip Test Leads • Amazon Business $9.99 3 $29.97
Fielect 5pcs 10K Slide Potentiometer Carbon Film Fader Variable Resistors Mixer 45 x 9mm B10K 3Pins Ohm Linear Potentiometers for Dimming Tuning • Amazon Business $9.98 3 $29.94
MyoWare Electrodes (50-Pack) - Disposable Biomedical Electrodes - Blue - Latex-Free, Pre-Gelled Foam - Screw Mount • Amazon Business $28.99 1 $28.99
DIYmall 5 Pack HC-SR501 Pir Motion IR Sensor Body Module Infrared for Arduino • Amazon Business $9.49 3 $28.47
JANDECCN 10Pcs Lead Limit Switch Long Straight Hinge Lever, SPDT 1NO 1NC Snap Action Micro Switch V-153-1C25 • Amazon Business $9.49 3 $28.47
Lonely Binary 27 Pcs Logic Level Converter Kit - Multi-Channel Bi-Directional 3.3V to 5V Shifter Modules 2/4/6 Channel Lead-Free Gold Edition Logic Level Shifter for Arduino Raspberry Pi ESP32 • Amazon Business $12.34 2 $24.68
HiLetgo 5pcs LM393 3.3V-5V Soil Moisture Detect Sensor Soil Moisture Sensor Soil Hygrometer Detection for Arduino Automatic Watering System Robot Smart car • Amazon Business $7.79 3 $23.37
DIYmalls 4x4 Keypad 16 Key Matrix Array Membrane Switch 8pin Keyboard for Arduino ESP32 (Pack of 5) • Amazon Business $7.55 3 $22.65
Raspberry Pi Official Raspberry Pi 5 Case with Cooling Fan & Heatsink, 2.79 CFM, ABS/PC Material, Stackable, Includes Silicone Feet & Fan Speed Control (Packaging: 1 Case) • Amazon Business $18.90 1 $18.90
Teyleten Robot IR Infrared Slotted Optical Optocoupler Module Speed Measuring Sensor 3.3V to 5V Photo Interrupter Sensor for Arduino 10pcs • Amazon Business $8.99 2 $17.98
HiLetgo 10pcs IR Infrared Obstacle Avoidance Sensor Module for Arduino Smart Car Robot 3-Wire Reflective Photoelectric for Arduino Smart Car Robot • Amazon Business $8.78 2 $17.56
WWZMDiB 6Pcs DRV8833 DC Motor Driver Controller Board 1.5A Dual H Bridge • Amazon Business $7.99 2 $15.98
MyoWare 2.0 Reference Cable - 10 pack - Reach separate sections of the body or nonadjacent muscles near the targeted muscles - Attach a sensor pad to the electrode snap - Plug the pin into its housing • Amazon Business $15.95 1 $15.95
Dorhea MT3608 DC-DC Step Up Boost Power Converter - 2A Module, Adjustable Step Up Voltage Regulator Board - 2-24V to 5V-28V Output Voltage (Pack of 10) • Amazon Business $6.95 2 $13.90
eBoot 6 Pack Mini MP1584EN DC-DC Buck Converter Adjustable Power Supply Module 24V to 12V 9V 5V 3V • Amazon Business $13.25 1 $13.25
tatoko 20PCS 10mmx3mm Mini Vibration Motors DC 3V 12000rpm Flat Coin Button-Type Micro DC Vibrating Motor for Mobile Cell Phone Pager Tablet Household Appliances • Amazon Business $12.34 1 $12.34
ALLECIN WH148 B10K Potentiometer 15mm Shaft 3Pins Variable Resistor 10K Single-Joint Linear Potentiometers with AG2 Plum Knob Cap and Aluminum Alloy Knobs (Pack of 35pcs) • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
WWZMDiB 12 Pcs Water Level Sensor for Arduino DIY, Compatible with Arduino, Electronic Component, Liquid Level Sensor • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99

Materials cost

$6,085.44

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$91.28

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$6,206.72

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$1,095.30

Total project goal

$7,302.02

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $7,302.02

29 Donors

-$6,440.26

Donations toward project cost

-$5,560.72

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$879.54

Matching donations from our partners

-$760.00

Match offers toward project cost

-$646.00

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$114.00

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$101.76

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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. McLoda and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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