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This teacher needs your help!

Dr. Read from Dekalb, IL is requesting art supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Dr. Read is requesting

The Pixel Classroom Goes to High School

Help me give my students Perler Bead Supplies for STEAM and CTE Projects.

FULLY FUNDED! Dr. Read's classroom raised $531

This project is fully funded

My Project

Project Overview:

This fall, I want to bring hands-on creativity and innovation into my high school STEAM and CTE classes by introducing students to Perler bead projects.

These small, colorful beads may look like simple crafting tools, but in our classroom, they'll become powerful tools for exploring design, digital art, pattern recognition, engineering concepts, and even coding logic. With your help, students will gain access to a new creative outlet that merges artistic expression with real-world technical skills.

Our students are curious, creative, and eager to learn when given the right tools and opportunities. Many come from under-resourced backgrounds, but they rise to challenges when given engaging, hands-on learning experiences. My classroom includes a mix of students in STEAM and CTE tracks—some are exploring computer science and digital media, while others are focused on design, engineering, or practical tech applications. All of them benefit from tactile, visual, and collaborative learning experiences.

What We Need:

To launch this interdisciplinary Perler bead initiative, we are requesting:

Assorted Perler bead sets (multi-color bulk sets, skin tones, neon, glow-in-the-dark)

Pegboards (various sizes and shapes)

Bead tweezers and sorting trays

These supplies will support a variety of projects, including:

Pixel art representations of coding and algorithms

Geometry and symmetry in math-based visual design

Career-based projects that simulate product design and prototyping

How This Will Help:

These materials will provide students with a chance to learn by doing. Perler bead projects are more than just fun—they develop spatial reasoning, planning, perseverance, and an eye for design. Students will collaborate, problem-solve, and create tangible artifacts of their learning. Whether they're crafting logos for a business unit, building molecule models for a science lesson, or designing video game characters, these supplies will enrich their education and spark new career interests.

Dr. Read DeKalb High School 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.

Dekalb, IL 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

65 students impacted 2donors

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

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Perler Fused Bead Pegboard - Super-Sized • Blick Art Materials $12.14 4 $48.56
Perler Fused Bead Bag - Black, Pkg of 6000 • Blick Art Materials $11.97 4 $47.88
30,000 pcs Fuse Beads Kit 30 Colors 5MM for Kids, Including 10 Ironing Papers,48 Patterns, 7 Clear Pegboards, Tweezers, Perler Beads Compatible Kit • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
Perler Bead Tray - Assorted Colors, Pkg of 4000 • Blick Art Materials $13.14 3 $39.42
Perler Fused Bead Bag - White, Pkg of 6000 • Blick Art Materials $11.97 3 $35.91
Perler Disney Princesses Fused Bead Kit - Deluxe Box • Blick Art Materials $21.99 1 $21.99
Perler Bead Tray - Stripes and Pearls, Pkg of 4000 • Blick Art Materials $10.46 2 $20.92
Perler Fused Bead Bag - Dark Grey, Pkg of 1000 • Blick Art Materials $3.35 6 $20.10
Perler Fused Bead Bag - Brown, Pkg of 1000 • Blick Art Materials $3.35 6 $20.10
Perler Fused Bead Bag - Orange, Pkg of 1000 • Blick Art Materials $3.35 6 $20.10
Perler Fused Bead Bag - Light Grey, Pkg of 1000 • Blick Art Materials $3.35 6 $20.10
Perler Bead Tweezers - Package of 2 • Blick Art Materials $2.87 6 $17.22
Perler Bead Sweeper • Blick Art Materials $5.34 3 $16.02
Perler Bead Bag Blue Group (Dark Blue, Light Blue, Pastel Blue) • Amazon Business $15.89 1 $15.89
Perler Bead Bag Brown Group (Brown, Light Brown, Tan) • Amazon Business $13.71 1 $13.71
Perler Bead Bag Green Group (Dark Green, Light Green, Pastel Green) • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Perler Beads Fuse Beads for Crafts, 1000pcs, Magenta Purple • Amazon Business $3.69 1 $3.69

Materials cost

$414.59

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$6.22

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$450.81

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$79.55

Total project goal

$530.36

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $530.36

2 Donors

-$530.36

Donations toward project cost

-$450.81

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$79.55

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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 Dr. Read and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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