{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Academy of Exploration","outOfStateSupporters":18.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2019096,"projectId":9444875,"letterContent":"Providing robotic materials to 4th–6th grade students opens the door to hands-on STEM learning at a pivotal stage in their development. These tools transform abstract concepts into tangible experiences, allowing students to design, build, and program their own creations. As they experiment with motors, sensors, and coding, students strengthen critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and persistence. Access to quality robotics resources ensures that all learners—not just those with outside opportunities—can explore their potential in engineering and computer science.\r\n\r\nYour support empowers young learners to see themselves as innovators. With every robot they construct, students gain confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how technology shapes the world around them. These experiences often spark long-term interest in STEM fields, building a pipeline of future thinkers, inventors, and community leaders. By funding robotics materials, you are not just providing equipment—you are investing in equitable access, inspiring creativity, and helping students discover what they are capable of achieving.","fullyFundedDate":1755741863351,"projectUrl":"project/code-create-empowering-young-innovato/9444875/","projectTitle":"Code & Create: Empowering Young Innovators Through Robotics","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schifsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2019096_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718372455300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2019096"},{"teacherId":2019096,"projectId":8776135,"letterContent":"The funding provided by this classroom grant made it possible for our students to find and share their voices through a powerful, real-world learning experience. With the purchase of podcasting equipment, students created their own series, Voices of Change, where they explored topics they were passionate about and shared their opinions on issues that matter to them.\r\n\r\nThis project gave students the opportunity to research, write, revise, speak, and produce — all while developing essential communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy skills. With access to quality microphones and editing tools, students took pride in the professionalism of their work and felt that their voices were truly heard.\r\n\r\nVoices of Change fostered student agency and engagement. Many students selected topics that reflected their identities, interests, and values, from social justice to environmental concerns to school policy. The podcast format allowed them to express themselves creatively while practicing structured argument, collaboration, and active listening.\r\n\r\nThe impact extended beyond the classroom. Students shared their podcasts with peers, families, and the broader school community, sparking meaningful conversations and increasing awareness about important topics. For many, this was the first time they felt they had a platform to advocate for change.\r\n\r\nThanks to this grant, our students experienced the power of authentic storytelling and civic expression. The skills and confidence they gained through this project will serve them well beyond the classroom. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to amplify their voices.\r\n\r\nWould you like a version with a student quote or a shorter version for a summary report?","fullyFundedDate":1730463861119,"projectUrl":"project/sharing-our-voices-expansion/8776135/","projectTitle":"Sharing Our Voices Expansion!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schifsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2019096_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718372455300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2019096"},{"teacherId":2019096,"projectId":8454673,"letterContent":"Thanks to the generous support of this classroom grant, we successfully implemented a student badge system that recognizes and celebrates essential 21st-century skills: leadership, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. These badges have transformed our classroom culture by providing visible, tangible goals for students to strive toward, while reinforcing behaviors and mindsets critical to lifelong learning and success.\r\n\r\nThe badge system empowered students to take ownership of their growth. By earning badges through meaningful classroom activities and peer interactions, students were motivated to reflect on their strengths and set goals for areas of improvement. Leadership and collaboration badges promoted teamwork and responsibility in group settings, while creativity and critical thinking badges encouraged innovative problem-solving. Communication badges fostered stronger speaking, listening, and writing skills across subjects.","fullyFundedDate":1720752967491,"projectUrl":"project/reaching-for-the-stars-with-custom-badge/8454673/","projectTitle":"Reaching for the Stars With Custom Badges","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Schifsky","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp2019096_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1718372455300","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2019096"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_128467","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":null,"numTeachers":null,"percentFrplEligible":61,"percentAsian":3,"percentBlack":7,"percentWhite":61,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":8,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Not specified","studentTeacherRatio":null,"demographicsDataSource":"MDR District Record","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":null},"inStateSupporters":81.3,"schoolId":128467,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Academy of Exploration on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Academy of Exploration","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/springfield-school-district-r12/academy-of-exploration/128467"}
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Join the 48 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Academy of Exploration is
a public school
in Springfield, Missouri that is part of Springfield School District R12.
Its teachers have had 8 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. Each classroom request for funding was created by a classroom teacher and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
of students receive free or reduced price lunch
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Source: the National Center for Education Statistics
18%
of students are Black, Latino, Native
American, or Asian
Data about school demographics comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. The numbers in this chart may not add up to 100% because of limitations in the available data.
Academy of Exploration Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 5, 2025
DonorsChoose makes it easy for anyone to help a teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students
in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.
Academy of Exploration
$11,150
raised using DonorsChoose
8
projects
funded
2
teachers
funded
48
donors
5
projects for
technology
1
project for
books
Academy of Exploration has received support from
39 individuals from Missouri and
9 individuals out-of-state.