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Mr. Smith from Philadelphia, PA is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Smith is requesting

STEAM Project: Connecting Ancient Mosaic Technology with Modern Pixel Art

Help me give my students materials to complete a mini-unit on creating mosaics as we study ancient technologies and art, use math to plan projects, and make connections to modern pixel art.

FULLY FUNDED! Mr. Smith's classroom raised $316

This project is fully funded

My Project

In our digital literacy class and makerspace in Philadelphia, we engage in hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) learning with connections to social studies and literacy. In grade 7, we complete mini-units that help us learn about technologies: past, present, and future.

This school year, we will explore connections between the ancient art of creating mosaics with tile and modern pixel art.

Specifically, we will study examples of tile work and patterns from around the world to kick off a mini-unit. Then, we will reflect on how tiles and modern pixels are often used to construct imagery and patterns. Prior to this mini unit, students will have created their own pixel art using binary code.

To create our mosaics, we will plan from the "grout" up using math. What mathematical areas will we want to cover? How big are the tiles, and how many will we need? How big should gaps between tiles be, and how will we revise our designs and plans knowing this? Rather than provide students with a worksheet, I will empower them to approach the problem with different strategies—and share those strategies. This kind of mathematical problem solving is incredibly important in middle school.

An additional layer of this project will be introducing students to a craft that they can apply to remodeling a home later in life, pursuing a related career, or creating tiled works as a hobby. For other projects in grade 7, we learn to use hammers and nails, design and create things with CAD software and a 3D printer, and develop algorithms for a drone flight project. This mosaic project, with it's cross-disciplinary connections, will add another layer to what is a hands-on class with opportunities to make things that connect the past, present, and future.

Mr. Smith Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Philadelphia, PA View local requests

Nearly all 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

35 students impacted 6donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Krylon© Crystal Clear Acrylic Finish Spray • Nasco $7.72 3 $23.16
Mosaic Tiles Squares Dark Blue Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 3 $20.67
Mosaic Tiles Squares Dark Yellow Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 3 $20.67
Mosaic Tiles Squares Deep Red Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 3 $20.67
Mosaic Tiles Squares Dark Green Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 3 $20.67
Mosaic Tiles Squares Black Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 3 $20.67
White Powdered (Sanded) Grout - 2 LBS • Amazon Business $19.50 1 $19.50
White Crystal Mosaic Tiles Squares Stained Glass for Crafts Supplies DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 2 $13.78
100 Pieces Mosaic Tile Squares Silver Gray Crystal Mosaic Tiles for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm • Amazon Business $6.89 2 $13.78
100 Pieces Mosaic Tiles Squares Bulk Pink Crystal Mosaic Stained Glass for Crafts Supplies DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm • Amazon Business $6.89 2 $13.78
100 Pieces Mosaic Tiles Squares Light Blue Crystal Mosaic Stained Glass Kits for Adults Crafts Supplies DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89
FAIRUO Sea Blue Mosaic Tiles Squares Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89
Mosaic Tiles Squares Deep Purple Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89
Mosaic Tiles Squares Orange Crystal Mosaic Glass Tile for Crafts Bulk DIY Picture Frames Handmade Jewelry Coasters Art Material Decoration,1x1cm,100 Pieces • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89

Materials cost

$214.91

Vendor shipping charges

$19.95

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$3.22

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$268.08

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$47.31

Total project goal

$315.39

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$315.39

4 Donors

-$297.74

Donations toward project cost

-$268.08

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$29.66

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$17.65

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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