{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Cesar Chavez Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":37.6,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":5926688,"projectId":8836883,"letterContent":"Thanks to your support, Every Tool's a Hammer has found a home in my 8th-grade Engineering Design classroom, and it has already made a powerful impact. This book isn't just about tools—it's about curiosity, problem-solving, and embracing failure as part of the creative process. My students are learning that engineering isn't about getting things perfect on the first try; it's about iteration, persistence, and thinking like a maker. The lessons in Adam Savage's book have helped reinforce the engineering design process, showing students that real-world inventors, artists, and builders all start with an idea and refine it through trial and error.\r\n\r\nIn our classroom, reading isn't confined to traditional book reports. My students engage with the text by applying what they read to hands-on projects. Whether they're building with Arduino, designing small woodworking projects, or experimenting with new materials, they're connecting the book's ideas to their own creative work. One student, who initially struggled with confidence in his designs, told me, \"I always thought if I messed up, it meant I wasn't good at this. But now I see that even people who make money doing this make mistakes—they just keep going and fix it. That's how they get better!\"\" Another group has started documenting their own projects like Adam Savage does, keeping engineering notebooks filled with sketches, notes, and lessons learned.\r\n\r\nThis book has inspired students to take more risks, try new things, and view their mistakes as opportunities to grow. Seeing them excited about reading and applying what they learn to their own designs has been incredible. Thank you for helping bring this resource into our classroom and for giving my students a glimpse into the mind of a real-world maker. Your generosity has made a lasting impact!","fullyFundedDate":1732637222684,"projectUrl":"project/empowering-young-makers-inspiring-creat/8836883/","projectTitle":"Empowering Young Makers: Inspiring Creative Engineering with Adam Savage","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Kirk","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-5_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/5926688"},{"teacherId":5926688,"projectId":8753913,"letterContent":"Thank You for Bringing Innovation to My Classroom!\r\n\r\nThanks to your generosity, my students have been able to dive into hands-on learning with Arduino kits, turning abstract coding and engineering concepts into real-world applications. These kits have transformed our classroom into a creative, problem-solving hub where students are not just learning about technology but actively using it to design, build, and troubleshoot their own inventions.\r\n\r\nMany of our donors may use technology at home, but in our classroom, students are gaining a much deeper understanding of how hardware and software work together. Through coding sensors, LEDs, motors, and more, they are developing critical thinking, resilience, and collaboration skills. Instead of passively using devices, they are now creators—building circuits, writing code, and troubleshooting their designs just like real engineers.\r\n\r\nThe excitement in my classroom is contagious! One of the most thrilling moments for my students is seeing their code physically affect the world—whether it's making an LED blink, controlling a servo motor, or designing an interactive project that responds to its environment. 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Join the 189 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Cesar Chavez Middle School is
an urban public school
in San Bernardino, California that is part of San Bernardino City Unified School District.
It serves 1,085 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 28.6:1.
Its teachers have had 59 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
90%
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.
Cesar Chavez Middle School 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.
Cesar Chavez Middle School
$32,055
raised using DonorsChoose
59
projects
funded
20
teachers
funded
189
donors
3
projects
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
6
projects for
books
2
projects
for
art supplies
Cesar Chavez Middle School has received support from
118 individuals from California and
71 individuals out-of-state.