{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"callToActionDisplayName":"Thunder Bay Junior High School","outOfStateSupporters":27.8,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":294857,"projectId":8929509,"letterContent":"Thanks to your contribution, our students are now deep into their Off-Road Learning project, where engineering meets adventure right in our classroom. Our teams have been utilizing CAD software to design vehicles that can navigate our obstacle course, which features steep ramps, loose gravel sections, and tight turns that replicate real-world terrain challenges.\r\n\r\nA Specific Classroom Moment: Just last week, Team Alpha discovered their initial design was too top-heavy after their prototype tipped over on the banked turn. Instead of being discouraged, they immediately huddled around the computer, pulled up their CAD model, and began redesigning the chassis with a lower center of gravity. Watching them problem-solve in real-time—moving seamlessly between digital design and hands-on testing—showed me exactly why this project matters.\r\nThe Moment They Saw the Materials\r\n\r\nWhen the build kits arrived, the excitement was infectious. Students immediately started examining every component - the motors, wheels, chassis pieces, and sensors. One student exclaimed, \"Wait, we get to build actual vehicles that move?\" The materials transformed an abstract engineering concept into something tangible they could hold, modify, and control.\r\n\r\nLooking Ahead: Next month, we plan to host an \"Engineering Showcase\" where students will present their final designs to younger classes, explaining their problem-solving process and demonstrating their vehicles. This peer teaching component helps solidify their learning while inspiring the next generation of innovators.\r\n\r\nYour support has given our students more than just materials - you've provided them with the tools to think like engineers, fail safely, iterate boldly, and succeed confidently. These are skills that will serve them far beyond the walls of our classroom.\r\n\r\nThank you for believing in our students and making hands-on STEM learning possible.","fullyFundedDate":1736777330820,"projectUrl":"project/off-road-learning/8929509/","projectTitle":"Off-Road Learning","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Thomson","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/272x272/tp294857_272x272.jpg?width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1456393939131","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/mr-thomson"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_66556","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":796,"numTeachers":43,"percentFrplEligible":75,"percentAsian":0,"percentBlack":0,"percentWhite":90,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":3,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"18.5:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":72.2,"schoolId":66556,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Thunder Bay Junior High School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Thunder Bay Junior High School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/michigan/alpena-public-schools/thunder-bay-junior-high-school/66556"}
Join the 54 supporters who believe in this school.
About this school
Thunder Bay Junior High School is
a town public school
in Alpena, Michigan that is part of Alpena Public Schools.
It serves 796 students
in grades 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 18.5:1.
Its teachers have had 23 projects funded on DonorsChoose.
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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
3%
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.
Thunder Bay Junior High School Support on DonorsChoose
Last updated Dec 4, 2025
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Thunder Bay Junior High School
$19,831
raised using DonorsChoose
23
projects
funded
8
teachers
funded
54
donors
1
project
for
basic supplies
5
projects for
technology
2
projects for
books
Thunder Bay Junior High School has received support from
39 individuals from Michigan and
15 individuals out-of-state.