Help me give my students Motion Discovery Tubes, Block Play People with Differing Abilities, and an Engineer-A-Coaster Activity Kit to conduct imagination stations that promote problem solving and STEM skills which are all needed for the future.
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge"-Robert Fulghum. My school, is a diverse, neighborhood school in the Stanton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh. I have 18 "Little Learners". Our school was recognized as a high achieving "STAR" school based on substantial academic student growth and achievement as compared to other schools across our state. Many students in my class begin the school year struggling with basic concepts such as letter, number, name, shape or sound identification, yet end the year proficient in those concepts. Our school has 100% of students who receive free lunch, and who come from at-risk homes, some who live in shelters with a parent who is in recovery and battling addiction. Some students do not qualify for ESL services, but speak other languages such as Spanish at home. While others qualify for speech and language services. Imagination Station activities would promote real life language and conversational skills. My kindergarten students are in need of these supplies that promote imagination, discovery, and diversity. Children who are considered medically fragile and have multiple disabilities are mainstreamed into my classroom.
My Project
The "Little Learners" in my classroom have an innate ability to use their imaginations. This project and material such as the Remote Control Gear Bot, will allow them to learn, grow, build, create, and dream in small groups, which will promote social learning and problem solving skills, as well as allow for time for the teacher to rotate through small groups to provide assistance to individual students. The students are fascinated by the way things work and operate and have incredibly inquisitive minds. Materials in this grant such as the LEGO Steam Park, Snap Bots, and Create a Chain Reaction, will provide these enthusiastic Kindergarten students with stimulating and enjoyable educational activities which incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills. Kids Around the World and Hispanic Block Play figures and Young Architects Design Center will promote group learning and inclusion as well as provide ways for students to communicate within small groups while solving problems with one another.
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