My students need the Dell Chromebook because they have no computers for the robotics class and the FLL team computer is too old to support new software.
Innovative. Creative. Inspiring. These are just a few adjectives describing my students. They are problem solvers and critical thinkers. They see education and, more specifically, a STEM education, as a pathway to help others through science and engineering. We are a public charter high school in a rural Arizona community and my students come from a variety of backgrounds. Thirty-five percent of our population qualify for free or reduced lunch, and some drive in from out of the area to attend our school. Because of our community’s rural location, providing inspiring opportunities and exposure to new ideas for these students can be challenging.
Our district began two decades ago with a ‘back to basics’ mindset, however, we must now build on that solid foundation and catapult our students ahead with 21st century skill sets, by providing them with opportunities to explore STEM fields.
My students love science and technology, and embrace any opportunity to learn more. I know my students can be successful in the workforce and in life if provided the right scaffolding and exposure to STEM challenges.
My Project
The Dell Chromebooks will make a huge difference for my students' learning, in class and after school. In the after school program, the new FLL team was unable to update the robot kit because our laptops are so old, they don't support the new Mindstorms software.
With these new Chrombooks, my students will be able to increase their knowledge of programming and create more complex code for their robot.
By being able to build with the new robot kits, they will be able to build more complex robots, as well. At our regional event last year, they were the only team still buidling with the old NXT kits.
Secondly, with this being the first year for robotics in the classroom, my students will benefit from the Chromebooks by being able to take their programming skills to the next level. These students are in high school, and for many of them, this will be their first exposure to anything having to do with engineering, robotics, and programming.
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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. Lucier and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
