Help me give my students the joy of beginning each day with STEM activities.
$601 goal
This project expired on November 21, 2025.
This project expired on November 21, 2025.
My Project
Starting the school day with teamwork and STEM exploration sets a powerful tone for learning and connection in any classroom. Here’s why it’s so impactful:
Why Morning Collaboration Matters:
When students begin their day by working together:
- **Builds Community**: Sharing ideas and solving challenges as a team helps kids feel part of something bigger than themselves.
- **Boosts Engagement**: It’s energizing! Group activities in the morning ignite enthusiasm and a positive attitude that carry into the rest of the day.
- **Strengthens Communication Skills**: Students practice listening, speaking clearly, and valuing others’ perspectives early on.
- **Develops Responsibility & Routine**: Starting with purpose and structure helps children feel confident and grounded in their learning space.
The Power of Morning STEM Exploration:
Incorporating STEM in morning routines adds an extra layer of excitement and depth:
- **Sparks Curiosity**: STEM challenges tap into natural wonder and inquisitiveness—perfect for sleepy minds that need awakening!
- **Promotes Critical Thinking Early**: Puzzles, mini experiments, and engineering tasks stimulate problem-solving before other subjects begin.
- **Encourages Hands-On Learning**: Manipulatives, tools, and exploration energize students through tactile, active experiences.
- **Makes Learning Intentional**: Starting with STEM shows students that learning is dynamic and relevant, not just something they “do” later.
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
25 students impacted
Boost your odds
Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.
You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.
$100 Gift Card for Educational Resources on TPT
• TPT
$100.00
1
$100.00
AFUNX Magnetic Tiles,102PCS Magnetic Building Blocks 3D Clear Construction Playboards, Inspiration, Creativity Beyond Imagination, Educational Magnet Toy Set for Kids with 2 Cars
• Amazon Business
$29.99
2
$59.98
54 PCS Magnetic Blocks, Magnetic Building Blocks for Toddlers 3+, Montessori Toys, Magnet Cubes, Preschool STEM Educational Sensory Magnet Toys for Kids Ages 3-5 Year Old Boys and Girls
• Amazon Business
$25.26
2
$50.52
Stem Kids Building Toys for Ages 6-8 Boys Girls, 125 PCS Building Blocks Games for Boys 3-5, Educational Learning Toys for 3 4 5 6 7 8 Year Old, with Large Storage Box, Ideal Christmas Birthday Gifts
• Amazon Business
$21.99
2
$43.98
RAINBOW TOYFROG Straw Constructor Toys Stem Building Toys - 300 Pcs Straw Connectors Toy Building Sets Kids Toys for Boys & Girls - Straw Building Set Engineering Kit - Autism Toys STEM Games
• Amazon Business
$17.99
2
$35.98
Wikki Stix - Big Count Class Kit
• Blick Art Materials
$34.62
1
$34.62
School Smart Chalk Pastels, Assorted Colors, Set of 12
• School Specialty
$6.29
5
$31.45
Wondertoys 600 PCS Dominoes Set for Kids Wooden Building Blocks 6 Colors Bulk Dominoes Racing Tile Games Educational Toy for Kids Birthday Party with 11 Add-on Blocks and 1 Storage Bag
• Amazon Business
$29.99
1
$29.99
Case for Play-Doh Modeling Compound 20-Pack Case of Colors 3-Ounce Cans,Storage Box Organizer Container Holds 32-Pack of 1-Ounce Modeling Compound for Kid Party Favors(Box Only)
• Amazon Business
$23.99
1
$23.99
Brain Flakes 500 Piece Set, Ages 3+, Interlocking Plastic Disc Toy for Creative Building, Educational STEM Learning, Construction Block Play for Kids, Teens, Adults, Boys, and Girls
• Amazon Business
$18.99
1
$18.99
LCD Writing Tablet for Kids, 2 Pack 8.5 Inch Colorful Doodle Board Drawing Pad for Kids, Drawing Tablet Girls Toys Age 6-8, Educational Kids Toy, Birthday Gift for 3 4 5 6 7 8 Years Old Girl Boy Toys
• Amazon Business
$9.49
2
$18.98
LovesTown 209 PCS Shapes Wooden Pattern Blocks for Kids,Geometric with Activity Cards and Storage Bag, Educational Tangram Puzzles,Great Learning Gift from Parents or Teachers
• Amazon Business
$12.34
1
$12.34
Materials cost
$460.82
Vendor shipping charges
$13.09
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.91
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$510.82
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$90.14
Total project goal
$600.96
Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.
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. Cook and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"NY","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":2,"name":"Elementary School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":601,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/the-wonder-lab-igniting-stem-in-young-m/9492149/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":25,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Cook","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"512331706","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Buffalo","teachersOnPage":[10089624],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9492149,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":23529,"schoolName":"King Center Charter School","authorIds":{"10089624":{"owner":"Mrs. Cook","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9492149],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10089624_orig.jpg?crop=1:1,smart&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755136186022","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":23,"teacherChallengeId":22515491,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":10089624,"schoolCounty":"Erie","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"NY","name":"New York"}}
