{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Sierra Verde STEM Academy","outOfStateSupporters":9.3,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":2815880,"projectId":9879750,"letterContent":"On behalf of our entire grade level, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your generous support of our DonorsChoose project, \"STEM Friday Mouse Trap Car Racing.\" Your contributions made a tremendous impact, bringing hands-on STEM learning to life and creating memories that our students will never forget.\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, our students were able to acquire all the supplies necessary for them to design and build their own mouse trap cars. This was much more than a simple experiment—it was a true immersion into the engineering design process. From the very first day, students were buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating what they would be able to create with the materials you provided. For many, this was their first time participating in such an in-depth, hands-on engineering challenge.\r\n\r\nWe began our project by introducing the core concepts behind the mouse trap car: motion, force, energy, and the mechanics of simple machines. Students brainstormed and sketched their initial designs, collaborating in small groups to brainstorm innovative ways to make their cars go farther and faster. The classroom was soon filled with the sounds of teamwork and creative problem-solving as students debated wheel size, axle placement, and the best way to harness the energy from the mouse trap.\r\n\r\nAs students moved from planning to building, every group was fully engaged. They measured, cut, and assembled their cars, learning to use new tools and materials. Some students who typically struggle with traditional classroom tasks found themselves leading the way, showing their peers how to troubleshoot and make adjustments. This project gave all students a chance to shine and to discover new strengths within themselves.\r\n\r\nOne of the most valuable aspects of this experience was the opportunity for students to iterate on their designs. After their first trial runs, students analyzed what worked and what needed improvement. They tested different materials, adjusted the tension on their mouse traps, and experimented with car body shapes. With every attempt, they learned the importance of persistence and the value of learning from mistakes—a lesson that extends far beyond the classroom.\r\n\r\nBeyond the excitement and fun, this project fostered critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. It allowed students to see themselves as engineers and innovators. Your support made it possible for them to engage in an authentic STEM experience that deepened their understanding and ignited their curiosity.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and investing in their education. Your generosity has provided more than just supplies; you have given our students confidence, inspiration, and a love for learning that will last well beyond this project. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and support, and we look forward to sharing more of our STEM adventures with you in the future.","fullyFundedDate":1763562749901,"projectUrl":"project/stem-friday-mouse-trap-car-racing/9879750/","projectTitle":"STEM Friday Mouse Trap Car Racing!","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lyons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2815880_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492975426308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2815880"},{"teacherId":3664111,"projectId":9920050,"letterContent":"Because of your generosity, our classroom has been transformed in such a meaningful way. Our new ABC carpet has quickly become the heart of our room, and it is all thanks to you.\r\n\r\nBefore receiving this carpet, gathering together for lessons, read-alouds, and class meetings was a challenge. Students were often squeezed too close to one another, which made it difficult for them to focus and keep their bodies to themselves. This sometimes led to distractions and interruptions that took away from valuable learning time.\r\n\r\nNow, with our new ABC carpet, each child has a clearly defined space to sit. The bright letters not only support letter recognition and early literacy skills, but they also provide natural boundaries that help students understand where their body belongs. Having enough space to spread out comfortably has made a tremendous difference. Students are more focused, respectful of one another's personal space, and ready to learn.\r\n\r\nOur carpet has become more than just a place to sit. It is where we build community, practice our phonics skills, share stories, and celebrate accomplishments. The students take pride in sitting on their special letter and are excited to participate during whole-group instruction. The simple addition of space and structure has increased engagement and reduced disruptions.\r\n\r\nYour support has helped create a calmer, more organized, and more joyful learning environment. Thank you for investing in our students and for helping us build a classroom where everyone feels comfortable, safe, and ready to grow.","fullyFundedDate":1768437963669,"projectUrl":"project/abc-rug-to-the-rescue-creating-calm-co/9920050/","projectTitle":"ABC Rug to the Rescue: Creating Calm, Cozy Learning Spaces","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3664111_orig.jpg?crop=1930,1930,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716475923863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/t-mayfield"},{"teacherId":3664111,"projectId":9883061,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation that provided our classroom with stand-up whiteboards! These boards have truly transformed the way we approach math.\r\n\r\nOur math lessons have come to life in a whole new way—students eagerly use the boards to share their strategies, explain their thinking, and work through problems together. The stand-up format has encouraged movement, collaboration, and deeper discussions. It's amazing to see how much confidence students gain when they can stand side by side with peers, present their work, and actively engage in problem-solving.\r\n\r\nBecause of your support, our classroom has become a more interactive and collaborative learning environment. We are not only building stronger math skills, but also fostering communication, teamwork, and perseverance. The joy and excitement the students show when using the boards are proof of the powerful impact your generosity has made.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your support in making math meaningful, engaging, and fun for our students!","fullyFundedDate":1763561853657,"projectUrl":"project/steam-work-stations/9883061/","projectTitle":"STEAM Work Stations","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Mayfield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp3664111_orig.jpg?crop=1930,1930,x0,y231&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1716475923863","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/t-mayfield"},{"teacherId":4797727,"projectId":10002174,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for supporting our Let's Refill Our Supplies! project! Because of your generosity, our 5th-grade team now has the essential materials students need for daily learning. Students were excited to see us unpack the supplies and immediately began using them during writing, reading, math, recess, and hands-on activities. These resources will support our upcoming class activities and help all students participate with confidence. We appreciate donors like you who support our students! Thank you for being part of our classroom community!","fullyFundedDate":1768437875399,"projectUrl":"project/lets-refill-our-supplies/10002174/","projectTitle":"Let's Refill Our Supplies!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Orr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797727_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x224,y122&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687896962259","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-jenorr"},{"teacherId":5972552,"projectId":9500177,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for investing in our students and believing in the power of hands-on, creative learning. Because of your generosity, my 8th grade students now have access to the tools they need to become confident storytellers, scientists, designers, and innovators.\r\n\r\nYour contribution has fully equipped our new audio, visual, and creative publications class with a complete set of digital cameras—ensuring that every student can participate equally in visual storytelling, journalism, and science documentation. These cameras will empower students to capture real-world phenomena, create photo essays, film documentaries, and bring their ideas to life with clarity and pride. For many of them, this is their first opportunity to work with professional equipment, and the sense of ownership and excitement is already tangible.\r\n\r\nYour support also provided six ChompSaw Maker Bundles for our core science classroom. These saws are already transforming the way students design, build, and test their ideas. From engineering challenges to prototype construction, students can now work more safely, more independently, and with greater confidence as they learn real-world skills through hands-on exploration. The tools have opened up projects that were previously out of reach—and students are eager to dive into building models, testing solutions, and thinking like engineers.\r\n\r\nWhether they are capturing a chemical reaction in action, documenting a story from our community, or crafting a mini-documentary about a scientific investigation, your generosity has made these meaningful experiences possible.\r\n\r\nThanks to you, our students can truly cut, capture, and create their way through science and storytelling. You have opened doors, sparked ideas, and helped every student find their voice.\r\n\r\nWe are deeply grateful for your support and your belief in the potential of young creators.","fullyFundedDate":1755746320226,"projectUrl":"project/cut-capture-and-create-empowering-yo/9500177/","projectTitle":"\"Cut, Capture, and Create: Empowering Young Scientists & Storytellers\"","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Scofield","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp5972552_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1541286955054","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5972552"},{"teacherId":2815880,"projectId":9562846,"letterContent":"Thank you for your generous support of our \"Power Up Creativity: Hummingbird Robotics With Everyday Materials\" project! Your donation has brought us essential supplies—cardboard shipping boxes, portable cell phone batteries, and power cords—that are the foundation for our most ambitious project yet.\r\n\r\nWith these resources, we're gearing up for our Spring STEAM Night and our main attraction: the Robotic Petting Zoo. Students will use the Hummingbird Robotics kits, along with the new materials, to design and build interactive, lifelike robotic animals from scratch. The cardboard boxes are already being imagined as the bodies and habitats for animals like owls, turtles, and even dragons. The portable batteries and cords will make our creations mobile and interactive for visitors at STEAM Night.\r\n\r\nOur next steps involve prototyping and testing. Students will work in teams to construct the animal bodies, program the robotic movements, and make sure their designs are safe and sturdy for hands-on interaction at our big event. They're learning to problem-solve, collaborate, and think creatively—core skills for future innovators.\r\n\r\nThank you for making this imaginative project possible. Because of your support, our students will showcase their creativity and technical skills to the entire school community. We can't wait to share the Robotic Petting Zoo with you!","fullyFundedDate":1754971659541,"projectUrl":"project/power-up-creativity-hummingbird-robotic/9562846/","projectTitle":"Power Up Creativity: Hummingbird Robotics With Everyday Materials","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Lyons","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp2815880_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1492975426308","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/2815880"},{"teacherId":6597834,"projectId":9490308,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous support in providing our classroom with whiteboard easels. These \"thinking boards\" have quickly become an essential part of our Building Thinking Classrooms math time. Because of your kindness, my students are up, engaged, and actively participating in meaningful problem-solving every day.\r\n\r\nThe easels have transformed the way my students learn. They collaborate more confidently, communicate their reasoning, and support one another as they tackle challenging math tasks. It has been wonderful to watch them take ownership of their learning and grow not only as mathematicians, but also as teammates and thinkers.\r\n\r\nYour contribution made this possible, and we are truly grateful. Thank you for investing in our classroom and in the success of every student who gathers around these boards","fullyFundedDate":1754333610409,"projectUrl":"project/easel-does-it-a-easels-for-a-ideas/9490308/","projectTitle":"Easel Does It! A+ Easels for A+ Ideas!","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Gerster","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp6597834_orig.jpg?crop=248,248,x0,y20&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1725733422607","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/6597834"},{"teacherId":4797727,"projectId":9565284,"letterContent":"Thanks to your incredible generosity, our 5th graders are thrilled with the new supplies and prizes from our \"Prize Box, Supplies, and More!\" project! The excitement was instant the moment the boxes arrived — students from all four classes gathered around to unpack everything, their faces lighting up as they discovered the colorful fidgets, squishies, and notebooks that would soon fill our Viper Cash store.\r\n\r\nThese materials are already making a big difference across our grade level. With new pencils, scissors, highlighters, glue, and storage pouches, students can dive into lessons prepared and ready to learn. Having shared supplies available for everyone helps ensure that every 5th grader can participate fully without worrying about missing materials.\r\n\r\nOur Viper Cash store, where students earn rewards for showing our PEAK traits (being problem-solvers, engaged, accountable, and kind), has become even more motivating. The new prizes have inspired students to stay focused, show kindness, and take pride in their hard work. It's been so fun to watch them save up their Viper Cash and celebrate their success with small rewards that mean so much.\r\n\r\nNext, our students will be starting new projects that challenge them to work together, persevere, and think creatively. The tools and incentives you've provided will continue to support their growth — both academically and socially — as they learn what it means to be engaged and accountable learners.\r\n\r\nYour donations have made our classrooms more organized, positive, and joyful places to learn. From all of us in 5th grade — students and teachers alike — thank you for believing in our kids and helping make this year one to remember!","fullyFundedDate":1755721103743,"projectUrl":"project/prize-box-supplies-and-more/9565284/","projectTitle":"Prize Box, Supplies, and More!","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Orr","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4797727_orig.jpg?crop=271,271,x224,y122&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1687896962259","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mrs-jenorr"},{"teacherId":7958547,"projectId":9508345,"letterContent":"As a new school year begins, enthusiastic kindergarten students will fill our classrooms.\r\nMy small group of kindergarten students enter our reading room daily asking \"what are we going to do today?\" One day, they entered the room and immediately spotted our new manipulatives on the table. \"Wow, that looks fun! Can we play with them?\"\r\n\r\n I introduced our new tactile writing boards and sound segmenting trays and magnets.\r\nThe materials that I requested for this project support students at a phonological to print level. The gel boards were designed to involve their sense of touch alongside their other senses. They can see and feel the alphabet letters as they trace them. The sound segmenting trays and magnetic letters develop word building and decoding skills. The students love to blend the sounds in words using the magic blending wands. The students like to call themselves ,\"word magicians\". \r\n\r\nThank you donors for supporting our young learners.","fullyFundedDate":1754333610204,"projectUrl":"project/little-hands-and-minds-at-work/9508345/","projectTitle":"Little Hands and Minds at Work","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Manny","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp7958547_orig.jpg?crop=956,956,x0,y102&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1647017290402","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/7958547"},{"teacherId":839171,"projectId":9396168,"letterContent":"Once again your generosity has supported my curiosity seeking gardeners! Succulents have been planted as have our paper white bulbs! Students have two plants with very different care needs. The research has been completed and now students will await the wonder of the paper white blossoms. At the same time, they will endeavor to keep their desert plants thriving!\r\n\r\nMy young gardeners enjoyed decorating their white planters. With great care, masterpieces were completed!\r\n\r\nWorm casings have been spread in our school gardens and we are hopeful they will feed our growing plants!\r\n\r\nWe are very grateful for the continued support of all of our gardening projects!","fullyFundedDate":1754333610651,"projectUrl":"project/growing-and-adapting-in-the-desert/9396168/","projectTitle":"Growing and Adapting in the Desert","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Thiebeau","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp839171_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506927970224","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/839171"},{"teacherId":4841297,"projectId":9398791,"letterContent":"Third graders are starting the year off strong with supplies that welcome them and help create an engaging classroom. The students like their new name tags and enjoy using the play-dough in the morning transition time. They like using the stadium seats during reading activities, and appreciate having a special place to focus. The post-it easel paper has been used to share strategies during math groups. Students love writing on the big sticky notes and showing off their work. We have also made great anchor charts that remind us of our goals. These resources have helped create a positive, collaborative classroom. Thank you for your donations.","fullyFundedDate":1753328391287,"projectUrl":"project/new-school-year-classroom-essentials/9398791/","projectTitle":"New School Year Classroom Essentials","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Smith","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp4841297_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1506569488173","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/anythingispossible"},{"teacherId":3274405,"projectId":9492498,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for funding my project. Having a table to do small groups at has made such a difference! I have a place where students can meet and I don't have to have other students move. It also helps students in my small group concentrate better.\r\n\r\nThis table also helps me be so much more productive. I don't have to contstanly keep moving students and supplies. It helps me have a set place for small group instruction materials.\r\n\r\nThank you again for your generosity! My students and I really appreciate it!","fullyFundedDate":1754333609966,"projectUrl":"project/small-group-materials-for-super-star-lea/9492498/","projectTitle":"Small Group Materials for Super Star Learners","teacherDisplayName":"Mrs. Sumner","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/3274405"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_70458","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":964,"numTeachers":52,"percentFrplEligible":15,"percentAsian":13,"percentBlack":4,"percentWhite":58,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":17,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"K - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":false,"titleOne":false,"metroType":"UNCLASSIFIED","ncesMetroType":"SUBURB_LARGE"},"inStateSupporters":90.7,"schoolId":70458,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Sierra Verde STEM Academy on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Sierra Verde STEM Academy","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/arizona/deer-valley-unified-school-district/sierra-verde-school/70458"}