I teach at an intentionally diverse public charter school in a county that has one of the fastest growing refugee and non-English speaking communities in the State of Georgia. 74% students in our Title 1 school receive free or reduced lunch. In my 4th grade classroom, 13 different languages and nationalities are represented by my 24 students. After observing how students engaged in an inhouse tinkering workshop, I decided to offer a makerspace in my classroom.
“Makerspace has helped me not give up,” said one of my students, not just about what he was building, but about his attitude towards learning.
It is heartwarming to see that after the initial frustration at “failing to meet the challenge” students keep coming back to their work to redesign their product with renewed energy. Having a classroom makerspace, albeit a sparse one, has provided my students the opportunity to internalize design thinking. Students draw their design, label, describe what they’re trying to accomplish, what’s working, what’s problematic, and what would they change to improve upon their design. Finding a medium other than English to express themselves, my ELLs are among the most successful "makers."
My Project
I am requesting a storage unit with bins, and open ended STEM materials like straws, gears, building blocks, craft sticks, solar panels, batteries, LED diode lights, copper wire and alligator clips. Having these materials to tinker with in the makerspace will allow my students to invent like designers, engineers, architects and scientists. Many school districts hold Science Olympiads, where mostly gifted students get to participate and build structures, devices, circuits etc.; using similar materials. I want to offer the same opportunities to my students because they are all gifted in their own way. The storage bins will help us keep our materials organized and invite students to the makerspace as a place to bring their ideas into existence. Because our school has no money to fund makerspaces or relevant materials, I've been borrowing materials from friends, other teachers and buying stuff from the dollar store, burning a hole in my pocket. I have been very happy to see how the makerspace is positively impacting my students' sense of agency and outlook on problem solving. Reluctant writers are eager to draw, write out and reflect on their designs with a sense of purpose. I do not want to discontinue this creative process due to lack of appropriate materials.
Your generosity will help my deserving students afford basic STEM materials that will enable them to explore their passion for "making", cultivating their growing belief that they can create and they can "do".
In the three months that the makerspace has been available to them, my students have begun to see themselves as future engineers, game developers, architects, etc. Thank You, on behalf of my 4th graders, for making their dreams come true.
ECR4Kids 15-Bin Rolling Storage Organizer - Heavy Duty Mobile Cart, Sand and Assorted
• Amazon Business
$187.95
1
$187.95
KEVA Maple 400 Plank Set
• Amazon Business
$159.95
1
$159.95
Sunnytech 0.5W 5V 100mA Mini Solar Panel GP8080-10A100
• Amazon Business
$6.99
4
$27.96
RisingStar Interlocking Toys - Educational Straw Building Blocks for Boys and Girls - Safe and Fun Straws and Connectors Set - Colorful Construction Builders for Motor Skills Development - 340 Pieces
• Amazon Business
$21.97
1
$21.97
PlayShire Brain Flakes – LARGE 500 + 100 EXTRA Pieces STEM Toy Set. FREE 30+ Designs Idea Book | NON-TOXIC Kids Toy | Educational & Creative Construction / Building Toy | Fun Learning Boys & Girls Toy
• Amazon Business
$14.45
1
$14.45
Perfect Stix 114ST-Craft Wooden Stick Box (Pack of 1000)
• Amazon Business
$9.95
1
$9.95
Sony CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell 3V 20 Pcs
• Amazon Business
$8.07
1
$8.07
Magnets and more 24 piece set by toysmith
• Amazon Business
$7.85
1
$7.85
Chanzon 60 pcs(6 colors x 10 pcs) 5mm LED Diode Lights Arduino Assored Kit Pack (Diffused Round DC 3V 20mA ) Lighting Bulb Lamps Electronics Components 5 mm Light Emitting Diodes Parts
• Amazon Business
$6.50
1
$6.50
Bullet Face Copper Foil Tape with Double-sided Conductive (1/4inch X 21.8yards)- EMI Shielding,Stained Glass,Soldering,Electrical Repairs,Slug Repellent,Paper Circuits,Grounding (1/4inch)
• Amazon Business
$5.99
1
$5.99
SE TL10 10-Piece Test Lead Set with Alligator Clips
• Amazon Business
$5.97
1
$5.97
Materials cost
$456.61
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$31.51
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.85
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$524.97
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$92.64
Total project goal
$617.61
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$617.61
6 Donors
-$564.08
Donations toward project cost
-$482.47
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$81.61
match offer
-$50.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$42.50
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
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. Jafri and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
