My school is set in a suburban community, within a large metropolitan city. Even though it is in a large metropolitan area, it feels like a small community and sheltered; an "island in the hills." Within those hills, we have a variety of ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are also near a large military housing area, so many of our students are grappling with parents being deployed.
The students at my school are exuberant and creative, and I am constantly challenged to explore new opportunities for them to test the waters in STEM/STEAM careers, and tailor it for transitional kindergarten through grade five!
Our STEAM Lab and Makerspace has gone through many changes over the years, and we are keeping in step with new thinking and methodology by focusing on the three-dimensional design of the Next Generation Science Standards. We also make a concerted effort to incorporate multiple exposures to engineering, art, and technology, and make it relevant to their world and interests. The curriculum is student-driven, and ever-morphing to meet their needs.
As the TK-5th STEAM Lab teacher, I feel I have the best job ever!
My Project
My students have been using Ozobots for the first time. While they have some coding experience through block coding, this is the first time that they have had an opportunity to apply that knowledge to something and see the results. When I poll the students what they want to work on next, they enthusiastically request more time with the Ozobots! Even my youngest students. Okay, so we can't spend the entire year using Ozobots, but I appreciate their obsession and want to make their learning more valuable.
We need to add additional Ozobots to our classroom for more individualized and paired programming opportunities!
With more Ozobots available, students can work in groups of two, or, in some cases, individually. This will cut down on wait time to test their codes and encourage paired programming, while cutting down on frustrations over waiting for other groups to finish.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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 Mrs. Allard's STEAM Lab and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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