My students need items that will challenge their minds such as makey-makey kits, snap circuits, Osmo systems, and materials to produce green screen videos.
My students would benefit from a place in the classroom where they can be creative, in charge of their learning, and have the freedom to make and learn from their mistakes. I am hoping the purchase of maker space items will allow them the opportunity to collaborate and use critical thinking skills.
I teach in a small, rural Northern California town.
Our town was once blooming with jobs in both the fishing and logging industries. These industries are no longer functioning as they used to. It seems that many people in our city have lost their drive to succeed, and the worst thing about this is that it is filtering down to the students. Many of my students come from impoverished homes, and they see the same thing in their own future. I teach 4th grade, so they are still somewhat hopeful and reachable. They don't know that beyond our small town, there is a big world out there filled with opportunity and promise. I teach at a school with one of the highest rates of free/reduced lunches in the state. On a daily basis, I am trying to teach kids, while also addressing some of the most basic social, emotional, and nutritional needs that you would expect the home to be meeting. I love the kids I teach. I feel that I make a real difference in their lives.
My Project
According to Edutopia in a 2013 article, the maker space movement is poised to transform learning in our schools. To counteract educational standards, testing and uniformity, this fresh approach emphasizes creation and creativity -- products and processes born from tinkering, playing, experimenting, expressing, iterating and collaborating. My small scale, start-up maker space will include a green screen that will allow students to produce their own videos to enhance classroom projects. Students will have access to snap circuits and Makey-makey kits which will fuel the desire to create and build. Osmo game systems will transform the physical desk spaces in front of the iPad into a digital game board. Critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity are among the skills I hope to cultivate in my classroom of kids who come from home situations of generational poverty.
Kenneth Robinson often speaks of how schools kill creativity.
This project is a small attempt to counteract that trend. Makerspace learning environments foster enthusiasm for learning, build student confidence, and provide for natural collaboration through creativity. I am searching for more creative, authentic learning experiences for my students, and I feel that a dedicated makerspace will help provide that.
LimoStudio Photo Video Studio Light Kit - Includes Chromakey Studio Background Screen (Green Black White), (3) Muslin BackDrops, Umbrella, Softbox, Lighting Diffuser Reflector, AGG1388
• Amazon Business
$149.00
1
$149.00
Joylabz Makey Makey An Invention for Everyone Science Kit
• Amazon Business
$49.95
2
$99.90
Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750 Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$84.88
1
$84.88
Osmo Gaming System for iPad
• Amazon Business
$79.99
1
$79.99
Snap Circuits Sound Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$55.16
1
$55.16
Snap Circuits Motion Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$55.04
1
$55.04
Snap Circuits Lights Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$49.88
1
$49.88
Snap Circuits Lights Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$49.88
1
$49.88
Snap Circuits SC-300 Electronics Discovery Kit
• Amazon Business
$41.39
1
$41.39
Snap Circuits Alternative Energy Green
• Amazon Business
$39.19
1
$39.19
iKross 41-inch Portable Light weight Tripod with Adapters for Gopro HERO, Apple iPhone, iPad, Samsung Smartphone, Tablet, Digital Camera and more
• Amazon Business
$29.99
1
$29.99
Gravity Maze
• Amazon Business
$29.93
1
$29.93
Melissa & Doug Suspend
• Amazon Business
$14.80
1
$14.80
Materials cost
$859.02
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$78.60
3rd party payment processing fee
$12.89
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$980.51
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$173.03
Total project goal
$1,153.54
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,153.54
1 Donor
-$1,153.54
Donations toward project cost
-$980.51
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Pickenpaugh and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.