I am an occupational therapist who has been working in a special education school for over 16 years. My students range in age from 11 to 21 years old and are multiply disabled. My job is to use everyday activities (or occupations) to improve their independence and enhance their skills in the areas of physical ability, sensory processing, and cognitive function.
It is truly a gift to be a part of my students' lives and to watch them achieve new goals.
My Project
My students are so excited to be a part of First Lego League Jr. and have started their "Mission Moon" journey. My students are learning how to build and program LEGO WeDo 2.0 robots and more importantly, how to work together as a team. Their mission is to work as engineers and design a model that will have moving, motorized elements and will creatively solve a problem that astronauts might face while on the moon.
As an occupational therapist, I have found lego to be such a wonderful learning tool.
I have used lego to work on improving fine motor skills, visual perception, and attention to task. Lego also gives my students a very important creative outlet where they get to use their imagination.
This is my third year of guiding students in this First Lego League, Jr. event. I am so excited to share this experience with them and witness their sense of accomplishment! I am really fortunate to work with not only some amazing students, but also a wonderful classroom teacher and great support staff who make this experience possible.
In order to build our Lego model, my class needs space Lego sets. Rather than follow the included instructions, the students will get to 'free build" and creatively design their own model from the Lego pieces in these sets. We also need T-shirts and T-shirt transfers so that students can attend the Lego League, Jr. expo in March, proudly wearing the team logo that they have designed!
Please consider helping us obtain the materials we need to complete our Mission Moon!
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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. Matchekosky and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
