The subject I teach is: S.T.E.M., Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. All of my students are ninth graders and their ages range from 13-16 years old. This is the 4th year of offering this new subject which is currently required for all of our students. Our students' socioeconomic status ranges from the very bottom to the very top. Our town is mostly residential and there is very little industry here. We have a huge variety of students here with a variety of races, mostly African-American, Hispanic, Vietnamese, and white. Some of my students have a variety of disabilities: learning, emotional, developmental, and physical. Many of my students are hands-on learners so I try to find activities that appeal to their learning styles. Because of this, I like to do hands-on projects that expose them to a wide variety of technology. I teach in a fairly small town in south Mississippi where there is only one high school. We have very few local businesses that employ students in STEM careers. But I encourage all of them to find a STEM career that appeals to them since these are all in fast growing fields.
My Project
My students learn about the design process, and they create 3-D models using CAD software in designing a new product of their choice. But all of this is on computers on a 2-dimensional screen. But, if they could print and keep their 3-D models it would mean so much more to them since they could feel it and touch it. After they create their product using Google Sketch-Up they will create a 3-D print of it to be displayed and brought home. Hopefully this will be the "spark" they need to ignite a creative flame within them. This will also help them become more interested in the subject and remain better engaged in classroom learning.
It is my hope that this project will help encourage more students to find their future in a STEM career!
Using a 3-d printer in the classroom will help in stimulating their creativity when designing a product of their choice. If this project is funded it will also demonstrate how committed we are to their learning, and that the project is so worth-while an outside company spent money on it! By combining technology and creativity they will achieve so much more! There are countless STEM careers that use 3-D printing for so many different uses and not just engineering. Automotive parts, medical areas, military uses, architecture, even chocolate companies use 3-d printers.
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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 Mrs. Kohler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
