"It's makerspace week in the library!" can be heard, shouted from students as they pass the library on a Monday morning. For many, it is the highlight of their school day as they can finally express their thinking and creativity in a way that they choose and they enjoy. I have 600 students that come from diverse backgrounds. They range from high to medium to low SES and some live in trailer parks while others live in houses in the neighborhood. One-third of the students at my school are on free/reduced-price lunch and many are labeled at risk, which increases their likelihood of dropping out of school. I strive to make coming to school and the library something they look forward to by having hands-on learning with technology and unplugged STEM materials that they may otherwise be unable to use. Many of my students were affected by Hurricane Harvey and the recent flooding in the Houston area.
My students want to be challenged, to think outside of the box, and to let their inner curiosity and wonder out for the world to see.
They are problem solvers and collaborators, working together to complete hands-on, STEAM-related activities.
My Project
Makerspace has a huge emphasis on STEM and STEAM learning in the library. As our technology and learning styles evolve, students need to learn new skills to keep up with the ever-changing world that they live in. Coding is one of the skills that we focus on in the library at our campus.
Students will be able to learn the fundamentals of coding, as well as problem-solving with the robotics in this project.
We will use the Sphero Minis to address science topics like force and motion and shapes. With the Dash robot from Wonder Workshop, we will review mathematics topics like subtraction, addition, length, and measurement. With both robots, students will learn about block style coding and problem-solving.
Students will use the Plus Plus blocks to create 3D versions of our stories, some that they create on the own, for retelling purposes. The Picasso Tiles will allow us to recreate settings from literature as well as a focus on engineering and architecture.
Wonder Workshop, Dash Robot Coding for Kids 6+, Dash Challenge Cards and Sketch Kit Bundle, Multicolor (Amazon Exclusive)
• Amazon Business
$190.77
2
$381.54
Sphero Mini Activity Kit: App-Controlled Robotic Ball and 55 Piece STEM Learning Construction Set, Play, Learn, Code, Ages 5 and up
• Amazon Business
$79.99
4
$319.96
PLUS PLUS - Construction Building Toy, Open Play Set - 1200 Piece - Basic Color Mix
• Amazon Business
$59.99
1
$59.99
PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building Tiles Clear Magnetic 3D Building Blocks Construction Playboards, Creativity beyond Imagination, Inspirational, Recreational, Educational Conventional
• Amazon Business
$49.99
1
$49.99
PLUS PLUS - Construction Building Toy - Baseplate - 12 Pack, Green
• Amazon Business
$44.99
1
$44.99
Plus-Plus - Open Play Construction Set - 400 piece - Learn to Build Basic
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears! Super Building Toy Set, 150 Pieces, Ages 4+
• Amazon Business
$24.98
1
$24.98
Materials cost
$906.44
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$13.60
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$950.04
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$167.65
Total project goal
$1,117.69
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,117.69
1 Donor
-$1,117.69
Donations toward project cost
-$950.04
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 Mrs. Mason and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
