My students need laptops to learn coding with Spheros in order to explore the tech world. Many of my students have not left the rural county they live in, and most have not left the state.
The elementary school students in this rural community live in a high poverty area. 100% of the youngsters receive free breakfast and lunch. More than 3/4 live below the poverty line. These students deserve the same opportunities as more affluent schools and this project will help build the foundation.
One idea on how to motivate students to do schoolwork is to tie assignments to the youth culture.
Kids will be more inclined to do the “boring” stuff when they have the opportunity to do lots of creative stuff as well. Many of these youngsters are academically challenged and hands-on learning inspires their curiosity. Engaging them in activities where they can play with equipment and coding will introduce fun into math and science. This experience will open their eyes to what they are capable of achieving scholastically in the future.
My Project
The students will use laptops to program codes into their Sphero balls and navigate them around the classroom floor and hallways of the school. They will be both challenged and inspired by this multidisciplinary project-based learning experience. This real-life robotics program will require the youngsters to use technology to move the flashing robot balls.
It will seem like they are playing with toys, but they will be learning real STEM skills.
The Sphero robots go beyond coding and combine 21st Century learning activities, that will nurture my student's imagination more than the typical classroom education. My fifth graders will be required to depend on each other during the problem-solving process thereby increasing exposure to the importance of communicating effectively and teamwork.
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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 Ms. Stemple and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.