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Mr. Babecka from Cambridge MA is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

The Sound of STEAM Music Technology

My students need MacBooks and power strips to finally have a music computer lab for college applications, essays, composer/instrument research, and music composition.

  • $43,131 goal

This project expired on March 2, 2016.

This project expired on March 2, 2016.

My Students

What's so important about this composer? Can we look up a recording online of this song? Can I record myself playing this song? Can I borrow your computer to compose music? Can I come after school to borrow your computer and apply for this program? These are frequent questions I hear daily!

Over 75% of our students knew each other for at least five years because they are usually from the same elementary school promoting to our school.

Our students get along with each other really well. Some of my students are immediate family members of those who serve in the military. As a Title 1 city school located in a prominent area of Boston, we are proud to say that our attendance is above 90% on average. Our students mostly qualify for free lunch. They cherish their educational opportunity. Occasionally, our 8th graders will reach a 100% attendance. Academically, they are outstanding! They strive to work for good grades. In the last year, over 70% of our eighth graders were Honorable Mention or above. My students and my school are amazing. They motivate me to be a good teacher and continue to reach out for additional resources for them. Please consider helping us.

My Project

My students need a portable computer lab to help incorporate STEAM learning in my classroom. The 10 year old MacBooks we currently have sometimes do not boot, crash often, can't run certain music programs, and have taken the abuse of middle school students over the course of 10 years! My students want to compose music, use GarageBand, make video soundtracks, record themselves playing, use the Internet to find recordings and research composers. In classes of 30 students, we are lucky to have 10 good MacBooks and even then we must have power cords stretched across the room. I often let students use my computer because it is the only one we have capable of running most music programs. Some even come after school in order to use a computer to complete an assignment, apply for a summer music program, compose with Sibelius, or use SmartMusic for a play along. The 30 MacBooks and 5 power strips will give each student a computer and a chance to take music and music class to the 21st Century

Your donations will drastically enhance my classroom by giving a chance for my students to learn in a way that would have never been possible.

Our students' lives will be better since they can finally learn practical STEAM skills and will have the tools to enhance Music Education in the school. It will give them new avenues and the option to explore music, careers, and college opportunities with music in a different light. We really thank you for your time and generosity on considering us!

Mr. Babecka
Grades 6-8

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Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
Apple - MacBook� - 12'Display - Intel Core M - 8GB Memory - 256GB Flash Storage - Silver • Best Buy Education $1,199.99 30 $35,999.70
Belkin 12-Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with 8 ft. Cord, Telephone and Coaxial Protection • Amazon Business $17.99 5 $89.95

Materials cost

$36,089.65

Vendor shipping charges

FREE

Sales tax

$0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$541.34

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$36,660.99

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$6,469.59

Total project goal

$43,130.58

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

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Project Activity

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