Middle school is a time for exploration, and STEM gives my diverse group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the perfect opportunity to challenge themselves by asking questions, exploring multiple angles, and using their creative imaginations.
The semester STEM elective I facilitate is open to all mainstream students as well as students from our moderate-severe special day classrooms, allowing students with diverse needs to experience full inclusion as part of our K-8 community.
By working through project-based challenges, they learn important skills such as working cooperatively with others, taking initiative, having good time management, staying organized, engaging in critical thinking, and creativity and problem solving.
My Project
Robotics missions are the focus of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories, and these missions greatly inspire my students. My goal is for students to simulate the current Mars Curiosity Mission, as well as the forthcoming Mars 2020 Mission by remotely operating a vehicle. This past school year, students built robots and competed against each other to see how long it took to drive the robot down a course, pick up an object, and return it. They learned about gear ratios and efficient use of the remote control’s levers to achieve the task as quickly as possible. For my moderate-severe special needs students, they truly shined during this project. Many of them are non-verbal, but they were still able to actively participate by trouble-shooting and also driving the robots. As I move forward with this project, I need spare parts that are easily lost (bronze bushings) or wear out (NiMh batteries).
This year, I would like to add an additional layer of challenge where students control their robots while ONLY watching a computer monitor, just like anyone who is steering a VERY remote vehicle.
The micro cameras I need will fit perfectly on top of their robots, and I can also teach them that we have NASA to thank for the miniaturization of cameras. Any time I can connect a STEM project with real-life situations is of great benefit to students. Not only does this simulate JPL’s robotics missions in space, but it also ties in to police and military hazardous object retrieval scenarios and unmanned vehicle/drone missions.
By implementing these upgrades to this robotics project, my students will be exploring careers of the future and gaining practical hands-on experience. We all know how much technology sparks interest in students, and this project will enrich their STEM experiences even more.
Spy Camera 1080P Hidden Mini Camera Wifi Wireless Small Portable Security Cameras with Motion Detection Indoor Outdoor for Home Office
• Amazon Business
$37.99
2
$75.98
Pitsco Education 40227 Tetrix PRIME 6 mm Id x 8 mm od Bronze Bushing (Pack of 12)
• Amazon Business
$9.95
2
$19.90
Pitsco Education 40235 Tetrix Prime 6V NiMh Battery Pack
• Amazon Business
$16.95
1
$16.95
Materials cost
$112.83
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$10.32
3rd party payment processing fee
$1.69
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$154.84
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$27.32
Total project goal
$182.16
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$182.16
2 Donors
-$182.16
Donations toward project cost
-$154.84
Donations 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. Chapluk and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
