Our school is a K-8 of approximately 200 students. These students come from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds, ranging from poverty to middle class.
Part of our school philosophy is to create an environment where students will become Lifelong Learners.
With this end goal in mind, we do our best to bring the learning experience alive for our students. Many of our families are involved, and volunteer as much as they are able.
In my middle school classroom we run a "theme-based" curriculum, which means for a 6 week period of time, our students are immersed in a subject - reading literature books, producing multimedia projects, taking study trips, learning math & science, and a variety of other hands-on experiencing- all related to the subject they are studying. Students often find new passions with this format, and go on to teach others what they have learned. We very rarely hear "I am bored", and often have past students come back to visit!
My Project
Our 4-8th grade classes get to choose from different elective options 3-4 days a week. One of the options I offer is a Makers class. So far students have made video games, created animations, built a rat cage & a rabbit hutch, and played with micro controllers. We are getting by with reused materials, and from being very thrifty, but the more tools and supplies we have, the more possibilities we will have.
Another thing they are doing is learning how to use TinkerCad, designing 3D models, & parts for their prototypes.
The only thing is, we do not have a 3D printer. My students use TinkerCad during the Makers elective, and during my Math/Science classes. It would be so cool if they had the ability to make the models & parts they have created for their projects!
Our parents are donating what they can, but getting a 3D printer like this would bring our class to a whole new level!
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