{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Meridian Elementary School","outOfStateSupporters":18.0,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":8360453,"projectId":9825332,"letterContent":"I am writing to share the incredible impact your generosity has had on our classroom through the funding of our new Snap Circuits and engineering tools. Now, thanks to your support, it is a hands-on reality that they look forward to every single day. Seeing their faces light up as they snap their first functional circuit together has been one of the highlights of our school year.\r\n\r\nThese tools have provided a bridge between abstract scientific theory and real-world application. Using the Snap Circuits, students have moved beyond simply memorizing the parts of a circuit to actually troubleshooting complex systems. They are learning how to integrate switches, motors, and sensors to solve specific challenges, such as building an alarm or a functional fan. Because these components are so durable and intuitive, students feel empowered to take risks and experiment. They are no longer afraid to make a mistake; instead, they see a failed circuit as a puzzle to be solved, which is the very heart of the engineering mindset.\r\n\r\nThe impact of your gift extends far beyond the technical skills of wiring and mechanics. These kits have become a catalyst for teamwork and communication. I have watched students who typically work in isolation begin to huddle over their circuit boards, trading ideas and celebrating each other's successes. They are seeing themselves as capable problem-solvers who can manipulate the technology around them rather than just being passive consumers of it.\r\n\r\nYour investment in our classroom has provided us with high-quality resources that will be used by hundreds of students for years to come. These are not just toys; they are the building blocks of future careers in STEM. By providing the tools for this journey, you have sent a powerful message to my students: that their education matters and that there is a community of people rooting for their success. Thank you for your kindness, your vision, and for helping me give my students the future they deserve.","fullyFundedDate":1766088455060,"projectUrl":"project/building-the-future-advanced-circuitry/9825332/","projectTitle":"Building the Future: Advanced Circuitry and Engineering Exploration","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Zichichi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8360453"},{"teacherId":8360453,"projectId":9967991,"letterContent":"I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our \"Engineering the Electric Dragon\" project. Because of your kindness, my students were able to experience the magic of the Lunar New Year through the lens of modern robotics. When the boxes of motors, LEDs, and structural materials first arrived, the excitement in the classroom was palpable. For many of my students, this was their first opportunity to see a circuit transition from a static diagram on a whiteboard to a functional, moving machine. You didn't just provide supplies; you provided the \"spark\" that turned our classroom into a high-energy design lab.\r\n\r\nThroughout the project, students worked in collaborative teams to tackle complex STEAM challenges. They mastered the basics of circuitry by wiring festive red LEDs for the dragon's eyes and explored mechanical engineering by using motors and gears to mimic the traditional undulating movement of a Dragon Dance. This project allowed them to honor an ancient cultural tradition while simultaneously building the technical skills required for the 21st century. The level of engagement was unprecedented, as students who typically struggle with abstract concepts found themselves leading their peers through the trial-and-error process of building a motorized frame.\r\n\r\nOne of the most impactful moments occurred when a group of students spent nearly an hour troubleshooting a motor that refused to turn. Instead of walking away in frustration, they meticulously checked every connection and wire. That moment of hard-won success is exactly what your donation made possible. One of my students even remarked that they never realized they could be an engineer until they saw their own creation come to life.\r\n\r\nThese materials will leave a lasting legacy in our classroom. The tools you provided will be repurposed for future projects, continuing to inspire curiosity and innovation in my students for years to come. You have made a profound difference in their education by showing them that their ideas have value and that their community supports their growth. Thank you for investing in these future innovators and for making this Lunar New Year a celebration they will never forget.","fullyFundedDate":1768431013789,"projectUrl":"project/engineering-the-electric-dragon/9967991/","projectTitle":"Engineering the Electric Dragon","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Zichichi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8360453"},{"teacherId":8360453,"projectId":9697748,"letterContent":"Our classroom has been buzzing with energy thanks to your generous support. The transition from traditional learning to hands-on problem-solving has been incredible to witness.\r\n\r\nDuring our recent forensic unit, one student was struggling to distinguish between two different ink samples. By using the chromatography materials you provided, they watched the colors separate and realize that the \"black\" ink from the suspect's pen was actually a unique blend of blues and reds.\r\n\r\nThe look of pure triumph on their face when they matched the ink to the \"crime scene\" note was a highlight of the year. They weren't just reading about chemical properties; they were applying them to solve a mystery.\r\n\r\nWhile we still have not solved the cookie mystery, we will pick right back up after winter break. I am also adding another grade level to my caseload in January! Thank you so much for your continued support.","fullyFundedDate":1760028425956,"projectUrl":"project/innovators-in-the-making-hands-on-stem/9697748/","projectTitle":"Innovators in the Making: Hands On STEM for All","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Zichichi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8360453"},{"teacherId":8360453,"projectId":9627852,"letterContent":"A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Donors!\r\nThank you so much for your generous donation to my project, \"Building Our Gifted Program.\" Your support is a catalyst for change at our school, and it means the world to our students and me.\r\n\r\nFor years, the gifted program at our campus was nonexistent. As the new gifted teacher, I've been tasked with the exciting challenge of rebuilding the program from the ground up, educating not only my students but also their teachers about what it means to be gifted.\r\n\r\nThe past few weeks have been incredible. My students have been exploring Design Thinking, participating in creative builds, and learning about their own unique strengths. Your contribution is exactly what we need to take their learning to the next level.\r\n\r\nThe WiggleBots and Snap Circuits you've funded are a direct response to my students' curiosity and passion. Many have expressed a keen interest in coding and robotics, and these hands-on materials will be the perfect entry point into that world. They will get to build, experiment, and see their ideas come to life, sparking their minds and nurturing their natural talents.\r\n\r\nYour donation is more than just a gift of materials; it's an investment in the potential of these bright young minds. You've given them the tools to explore their interests and the message that their education is a priority.\r\n\r\nWe are so grateful for your support and can't wait to share the amazing things our students create with these new tools.","fullyFundedDate":1755730353687,"projectUrl":"project/robots-coding-and-more/9627852/","projectTitle":"Robots, Coding, and More","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Zichichi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8360453"},{"teacherId":8360453,"projectId":9400319,"letterContent":"My students and I are so excited to be able to use the new resources. Your contributions have made a huge difference in our ability to give students the gifted learning opportunities they deserve.\r\n\r\nOne of the first things we did was get to work on the gifted curriculum and project-based learning books. We've been using a project-based learning book to tackle a unit on design thinking. The students began by learning about the five stages of design thinking: empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test.\r\n\r\nFor our first big project, they were tasked with creating their own \"Magnificent Thing\" inspired by the book of the same name. They had to first empathize with a partner, someone who needed a solution to a problem. After interviewing a classmate to understand their needs, they worked to define the problem. For example, one student's partner was always losing their pencils, so the problem was defined as: \"My friend needs a way to keep track of their pencils so they can always find one when they need it.\"\r\n\r\nThe students then moved into the ideation phase, sketching out multiple ideas for a solution. They had so much fun brainstorming and came up with a variety of creative concepts, from a pencil-holding robot to a special case that chirps when a pencil is missing. The best part was seeing them move from a simple idea to a concrete plan, using the new materials to prototype their designs.\r\n\r\nThe students were excited and energized when I first introduced the project-based learning books. When they saw the variety of projects and topics available, their eyes lit up. They immediately started flipping through the pages, eager to dive into a topic they were passionate about. It was great to see their enthusiasm for learning ignited by the new materials. These books allow them to learn in a way that's meaningful to them, giving them choices and agency in their education.\r\n\r\nOur current \"Magnificent Thing\" project is about to wrap up with a class showcase where students will \"test\" their prototypes with their users, gathering feedback on what worked and what didn't. This will give them a chance to share their passion and knowledge with a wider audience and practice revising their designs based on user input. We are also starting to use the talent development materials to help students explore their interests and identify their strengths. We are using these materials to guide discussions about what a student is naturally good at, or curious about, and how they can use those things to make a difference in their community.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generous support of my students and our classroom. These resources are helping my students to not only learn, but to think critically and creatively about the world around them.","fullyFundedDate":1752164189072,"projectUrl":"project/gifted-education-opportunities-for-all/9400319/","projectTitle":"Gifted Education Opportunities for All","teacherDisplayName":"Dr. Zichichi","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-7_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/8360453"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_31164","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":833,"numTeachers":46,"percentFrplEligible":19,"percentAsian":1,"percentBlack":1,"percentWhite":62,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":28,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"Pre-K - 6","studentTeacherRatio":"18.1:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"URBAN","ncesMetroType":"CITY_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":82.0,"schoolId":31164,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Meridian Elementary School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Meridian Elementary School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/gilbert-public-schools/meridian-elementary-school/31164"}