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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Thiersch from Tacoma, WA is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Thiersch is requesting

Step Into Design: Engineering the Perfect Shoe

Help me give my students the materials needed to use physics to engineer a shoe.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Thiersch's classroom raised $642

This project is fully funded

My Project

My high school students attend an engineering and design-focused school, where creativity meets real-world problem-solving. In this project, students will take on the role of engineers tasked with designing and building a functional shoe for a specific client.

Using the engineering design process, they’ll move from brainstorming and sketching to prototyping and testing.

Along the way, students will apply physics concepts—including force, motion, friction, and balance—to ensure their shoes not only look great but perform effectively under real conditions.

Just like professional designers, students will face criteria, constraints, and trade-offs that require critical thinking and collaboration. They’ll need to make smart decisions about materials, structure, and comfort to meet their client’s needs.

To make this project possible, we need supplies such as felt, foam, adhesives, measuring tools, and specialty cardboard scissors so students can build and test their shoe prototypes. These hands-on materials will bring learning to life as students see how science, design, and engineering work together.

Your support will empower the next generation of problem-solvers to take a creative step forward—one engineered shoe at a time.

Ms. Thiersch School of Industrial Design Engineering and Art (Idea) Grades 9-12

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.

Tacoma, WA 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

100 students impacted 5donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Thiersch is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
CANARY Corrugated Cardboard Scissors 8.5", Heavy Dudy Craft Scissors Angled Blade, Japanese Stainless Steel, Made in JAPAN, Blue (Bulk 5 Pcs Set) • Amazon Business $84.80 2 $169.60
ARTEZA Craft Felt Sheets, 8.3 x 11.8 Inches, Set of 50, Assorted Colors, Stiff Non Woven Felt Fabric for Sewing and DIY Projects • Amazon Business $21.71 3 $65.13
Better Office Products 100 Pack EVA Foam Sheets, 5.5 x 8.5 Inch, Assorted Colors (20 Colors), 2mm Thick, for Arts and Crafts, 100 Sheets • Amazon Business $13.75 4 $55.00
Crayola Fabric Markers - Classpack, Set of 80 • Blick Art Materials $41.20 1 $41.20
Carl & Kay 600 Pipe Cleaners & 74 Googly Eyes - Chenille Stems Craft - Colorful Pipe Cleaners for Kids - Bulk Soft Fuzzy Stems • Amazon Business $14.22 2 $28.44
Crayola Construction Paper - 9" x 12", 12 Assorted Colors, Pkg of 240 • Blick Art Materials $7.06 4 $28.24
WILLBOND 12 Pairs 40 Inch Colored Flat Shoe Laces Athletic Shoelaces Replacements for Sneakers • Amazon Business $6.99 4 $27.96
AdTech Hot Glue Sticks, 4 Inch Mini Size, Clear (550 Sticks) | Multi-Temperature, Quick Bonding for Crafting, DIY & School Projects | Fits Mini Glue Guns | Made in the USA • Amazon Business $26.59 1 $26.59
Mini Hot Glue Gun Set for Class Project, Small Glue Gun Hot Melt Arts Craft DIY Glue Gun for Crafts School DIY Arts Home Quick Repairs (Multicolored 8 Pieces) • Amazon Business $25.49 1 $25.49

Materials cost

$467.65

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $40.92

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.01

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$545.58

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$96.28

Total project goal

$641.86

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $641.86

3 Donors

-$404.33

Donations toward project cost

-$396.83

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$7.50

Matching donations from our partners

-$175.00

Match offers toward project cost

-$148.75

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$26.25

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$62.53

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Ms. Thiersch and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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