{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Gateway Science Academy - South","outOfStateSupporters":27.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8630466,"projectId":10194835,"letterContent":"Your generous donation of Magna-Tiles has made a meaningful difference in the learning experiences I can provide for my students. These colorful, magnetic building pieces are much more than toys. They are tools that encourage creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking while helping students develop important STEM skills through hands-on learning.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, students learn best when they have opportunities to explore, experiment, build, and discover things for themselves. The Magna-Tiles give students of all ages a chance to become engineers, architects, designers, and problem-solvers. Our youngest learners can explore shapes, colors, patterns, balance, and simple structures, while our older students can take on more complex engineering challenges that require planning, testing, and improving their designs. Having materials that can be used in so many different ways allows me to create engaging activities that meet students where they are and encourage them to stretch their thinking.\r\n\r\nOne of the most exciting things about using Magna-Tiles is watching students turn their ideas into reality. They may begin with a simple plan to build a tower, house, bridge, or maze, but their projects often grow into something much more elaborate. Along the way, they learn that engineering involves trial and error. When a structure falls or a design does not work as expected, students have the opportunity to rethink their approach, make adjustments, and try again. These experiences help them develop perseverance, flexibility, and confidence in their abilities.\r\n\r\nThe Magna-Tiles also provide wonderful opportunities for collaboration. Students must communicate their ideas, listen to their teammates, share materials, and work together toward a common goal. These skills are just as important as the STEM concepts they are learning. For students who sometimes struggle with open-ended challenges, the tiles provide a welcoming way to begin exploring, experimenting, and taking creative risks. They can see their progress as they build, which helps make learning exciting and rewarding.\r\n\r\nBecause our STEM program serves students from PreK through fifth grade, versatile materials like these are especially valuable. The same set of Magna-Tiles can support simple exploration for a preschooler and a challenging engineering task for a fifth grader. This allows us to revisit familiar materials in new ways as students develop their skills and understanding. It also helps create an inclusive learning environment where students with different abilities, interests, and learning styles can participate and contribute.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, your generosity shows my students that their learning matters. You have helped provide opportunities for them to explore their curiosity, express their creativity, and discover what they can accomplish when they work together and keep trying. Every tower built, problem solved, and design improved represents another opportunity for growth.\r\n\r\nThank you for investing in our young learners and helping make our STEM classroom a place where imagination meets innovation. Your kindness has given my students more opportunities to learn by doing, think like engineers, and build the confidence they need to tackle challenges both inside and outside the classroom. We are so grateful for your support!","fullyFundedDate":1785170779682,"projectUrl":"project/magnetic-play/10194835/","projectTitle":"Magnetic Play","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pillow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8630466_orig.jpg?crop=385,385,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660919199297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8630466"},{"teacherId":8630466,"projectId":10016127,"letterContent":"The Donor's Choose gift of snacks had a meaningful impact on my PreK–5 STEM classroom and our after-school clubs. Having snacks available allowed me to support students who came to class or stayed for clubs hungry, helping them feel cared for and ready to learn. This was especially valuable during longer STEM and robotics activities, when students needed to maintain their focus and energy. Providing snacks also helped create a welcoming environment where students knew their basic needs were important and that they were supported.\r\n\r\nThe cleaning supplies were equally valuable in a hands-on STEM classroom. PreK–5 students regularly work with building materials, robotics equipment, craft supplies, and other materials that can become messy through exploration and engineering challenges. The donated cleaning supplies allowed me to keep tables, workspaces, tools, and shared materials clean and ready for the next group of students. This is particularly important because students from many different classes use the STEM space throughout the day.\r\n\r\nTogether, these donations made a difference far beyond simply providing snacks and cleaning products. They helped me create a classroom that is safe, welcoming, and prepared for students to explore, build, create, and solve problems. The support allowed more of my classroom resources to be used directly for STEM learning while helping ensure that students were comfortable, cared for, and able to fully participate in their learning experiences.","fullyFundedDate":1775749989222,"projectUrl":"project/snacks-and-supplies/10016127/","projectTitle":"Snacks and Supplies","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pillow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8630466_orig.jpg?crop=385,385,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660919199297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8630466"},{"teacherId":8630466,"projectId":9901671,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our students now have a dedicated tablet that allows them to fully engage with Dash robots during hands-on STEM learning. Instead of watching from the sidelines or waiting for a turn, students can actively program, test, and refine their ideas in real time. This single device has opened the door for meaningful access to robotics for learners across our entire PreK–5 school.\r\n\r\nIn the classroom, the tablet has transformed how students interact with Dash. Our youngest learners practice sequencing, directionality, and cause-and-effect as they make Dash move and respond, while older students explore block-based coding, problem-solving, and debugging. Students collaborate, communicate, and think critically as they work together to bring their programs to life, building both technical skills and confidence along the way.\r\n\r\nMost importantly, this tablet has helped spark excitement and curiosity about STEM for all students. Learners see themselves as coders, engineers, and creators, regardless of age or prior experience. Your support didn't just provide a piece of technology—it empowered students to explore, experiment, and imagine what they can create. Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of innovators.","fullyFundedDate":1763591257699,"projectUrl":"project/need-another-tablet-pronto/9901671/","projectTitle":"Need Another Tablet, Pronto!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Pillow","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp8630466_orig.jpg?crop=385,385,x0,y0&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1660919199297","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8630466"},{"teacherId":9057935,"projectId":9586840,"letterContent":"I want to send a heartfelt thank you for your generous donations! I am so happy that I finally have the Handwriting Without Tears program along with the various pencil grips at my school. \r\nSo far, my students have greatly benefited from the workbooks and different lined paper. Their goals of legible handwriting is emerging due to these invaluable tools. The pencil grips have also proven to be useful. I have had a student who has chosen one of the grips provided. It has made a significant difference to his grasp and therefore has made it easier for him to write. I am so grateful for your generosity!","fullyFundedDate":1764698936836,"projectUrl":"project/writing-without-tears/9586840/","projectTitle":"Writing without Tears","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Stinebrook","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9057935_orig.jpg?crop=2316,2316,x0,y386&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755540837002","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9057935"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_105328","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":402,"numTeachers":33,"percentFrplEligible":79,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":47,"percentWhite":30,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":9,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","percentHawaiianImputed":0,"percentMultiracialImputed":10,"gradesServed":"Pre-K - 5","studentTeacherRatio":"12.2:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":72.2,"schoolId":105328,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Gateway Science Academy - South on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Gateway Science Academy - South","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/missouri/missouri-department-of-education/gateway-science-academy-south/105328"}