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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Hsin (Vivi) Lai from Rosemead, CA is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Hsin (Vivi) Lai is requesting

STEM Starts Early: Building Big Ideas With a Chop Saw!

Help me give my students a strong foundation in STEM through safe, hands-on building activities.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Hsin (Vivi) Lai's classroom raised $504

This project is fully funded

My Project

My kindergarteners are natural-born builders, thinkers, and creators. Every day, I watch their eyes light up as they construct bridges from blocks, design marble runs, or figure out how to balance objects on a ramp. These early experiences are more than just play—they're the foundation of real-world STEM learning.

To support their creativity and problem-solving, I’m requesting a chop saw that will allow me (as their teacher) to safely cut and prepare custom wood pieces for our classroom’s hands-on STEM activities.

While students will never use the chop saw themselves, having this tool will help me provide the high-quality, durable, and precisely cut materials they need to learn, explore, and grow.

Through our building projects, students learn essential STEM concepts: measuring, comparing lengths, identifying shapes, understanding balance and stability, and even early principles of physics like gravity and momentum. They also develop soft skills like teamwork, communication, and perseverance—all while having fun and being hands-on.

Many of my students come from families with limited resources and have few opportunities to work with real materials at home. I want to give them access to the kinds of learning that feel meaningful, exciting, and empowering—starting right here in kindergarten.

Help to give my students the chance to explore the world through building, designing, and creating with tools made just for them. Your support will help bring their big ideas to life and build a strong foundation for a lifetime of STEM success.

Mrs. Hsin (Vivi) Lai Encinita Elementary School Grades PreK-2

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.

Rosemead, CA View local requests

More than half 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

40 students impacted 10donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Hsin (Vivi) Lai is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
ChompShop: CHOMPSAW MAKER BUNDLE - ChompSaw +Hole Punch+Scoring+Inventor's Workbook+Accs - STEAM Makerspace cardboard cutter (STEM kits elementary 5+) • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $360.00 1 $360.00

Materials cost

$360.00

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$32.94

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.40

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$428.34

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$75.59

Total project goal

$503.93

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$503.93

8 Donors

-$265.20

Donations toward project cost

-$228.42

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$36.78

Matching donations from our partners

-$235.20

Match offers toward project cost

-$199.92

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$35.28

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$3.53

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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