{"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":true,"callToActionDisplayName":"Chaparral Middle School","outOfStateSupporters":49.4,"allowSchoolLevelGiving":true,"hasFundedProjects":true,"projectGratitudeData":[{"teacherId":9220702,"projectId":9623082,"letterContent":"3D printers have become one of the most transformative tools in our classroom, turning abstract ideas into tangible learning experiences. While many of our generous donors are familiar with technology in the home—such as smartphones, tablets, or even smart appliances—3D printing in schools serves a very different purpose. It shifts students from being passive consumers of technology to active creators, designers, and problem-solvers. Instead of simply reading about engineering, geometry, or design, students apply those concepts in meaningful, hands-on ways that deepen understanding and retention.\r\nThe technology is helping students learn by making complex subjects visible and interactive. For example, in mathematics, students design three-dimensional shapes using measurement, scale, and spatial reasoning. Concepts like volume, surface area, and geometric relationships suddenly make sense when students hold their own printed models. In science, classes have printed molecules, cells, fossils, and simple machines, allowing students to examine details that are difficult to visualize in textbooks. In social studies, students have recreated historical artifacts and architectural landmarks, which encourages research, attention to detail, and historical empathy. Even language arts benefits—students design story elements, such as symbolic objects or settings, reinforcing comprehension through creative expression.\r\nBeyond subject content, 3D printing builds critical \"future-ready\" skills. Students learn the design process: brainstorming, drafting, testing, failing, revising, and improving. They develop perseverance and problem-solving abilities because prints do not always succeed on the first attempt. When something goes wrong, students analyze why and try again, learning resilience in a very real way. Collaboration is another major benefit; students often work in teams, dividing responsibilities between designing, troubleshooting, and documenting their work. This mirrors real-world engineering and design environments.\r\nWhat excites students most about the new 3D printer is the immediacy of turning imagination into reality. They are amazed that something they designed on a computer can become a physical object they can hold, test, and share. The improved speed and reliability of the new model mean students can see results within a class period or a day, which maintains excitement and momentum. The ability to print with different colors and materials has also sparked creativity—students are already proposing projects ranging from custom assistive tools to game pieces, art sculptures, and prototypes for inventions that solve everyday problems at school.\r\nCertain groups of students have especially warmed to this technology. Students who may struggle in traditional lecture-based settings often thrive when learning becomes hands-on and visual. For example, kinesthetic learners—those who learn best by doing—have shown remarkable engagement. Some students who were previously quiet or hesitant to participate now take leadership roles during design challenges because they feel confident working with the software or printer. Additionally, students interested in art have discovered a new outlet that blends creativity with engineering, while those drawn to STEM fields are gaining early exposure to skills used in modern careers.\r\nWe have also seen powerful effects on students who benefit from differentiated learning approaches. For instance, students with learning differences can manipulate physical models to support understanding, while advanced learners can extend projects into complex designs or independent research. Perhaps most inspiring are the moments when students design items intended to help others—such as adaptive grips for pencils or organizers for classroom materials—demonstrating empathy alongside technical skill.\r\nIn short, the 3D printer is not just a piece of equipment; it is a gateway to deeper learning, creativity, and confidence. It empowers students to see themselves as inventors and problem-solvers, showing them that their ideas have value and can shape the world around them. For donors, the impact of this technology is visible every time a student proudly holds up a finished creation and says, \"I made this.\"","fullyFundedDate":1764135758377,"projectUrl":"project/printing-our-future/9623082/","projectTitle":"Printing Our Future","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Bennett","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-2_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/9220702"},{"teacherId":10396005,"projectId":9980658,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generosity and support. Because of you, our classroom has access to resources that truly make a difference in our students' learning experience. Your kindness goes beyond materials—it shows our students that there are people who believe in them and care about their success. That encouragement means more than words can express.\r\n\r\nYour donation helps create a more engaging, supportive, and inspiring environment where students can grow academically and personally. We are incredibly grateful for your willingness to invest in their future. Thank you for making a lasting impact on our classroom and for being such an important part of our journey.","fullyFundedDate":1769050154737,"projectUrl":"project/tools-to-help-our-classroom-learn-creat/9980658/","projectTitle":"Tools to Help Our Classroom Learn, Create, and Grow","teacherDisplayName":"Mr. Sanchez","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-3_272.png?auto=webp","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10396005"},{"teacherId":10374770,"projectId":9945424,"letterContent":"Thank you so much for your generous donation of calculators to our classroom. Your support has made an immediate and meaningful difference for my students, and I am truly grateful for your willingness to invest in their learning and success. Because of you, my students now have access to an essential tool that supports confidence, accuracy, and independence in mathematics.\r\n\r\nCalculators play a critical role in our daily instruction. They allow students to focus on understanding mathematical concepts, problem-solving strategies, and real-world applications rather than becoming discouraged by lengthy or complex computations. With these calculators, students are able to check their work, explore patterns, and take academic risks without fear of making simple arithmetic mistakes. This has already helped create a more positive and supportive math environment in our classroom.","fullyFundedDate":1767203008295,"projectUrl":"project/math-and-numbers/9945424/","projectTitle":"Math and Numbers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saenz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374770_orig.jpg?crop=648,648,x0,y142&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767207269309","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374770"},{"teacherId":10374770,"projectId":9978883,"letterContent":"Because of your donation, I am able to participate in professional development that strengthens my instructional strategies, deepens my content knowledge, and aligns classroom instruction with Praxis and MSSA expectations. This learning allows me to bring more effective lessons, targeted supports, and high-quality assessments back to my students.\r\n\r\nYour investment extends beyond one classroom—it helps ensure students receive instruction that is rigorous, intentional, and aligned to state standards and assessments. I am truly grateful for your support and for recognizing the importance of continuous growth in education.","fullyFundedDate":1768417737792,"projectUrl":"project/professional-development-for-praxis-and/9978883/","projectTitle":"Professional Development for Praxis and MSSA Success","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saenz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374770_orig.jpg?crop=648,648,x0,y142&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767207269309","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374770"},{"teacherId":10374770,"projectId":10035430,"letterContent":"Because of you, my students now have individual folders to organize their classwork, notes, and assessments. These folders help students stay organized, take responsibility for their learning, and easily track their progress. For many students, having a clear system reduces stress and allows them to focus more on learning and less on managing materials.\r\n\r\nYour donation supports strong classroom routines and helps students build essential organizational skills that will benefit them throughout middle school, high school, and beyond. We are incredibly grateful for your support and for investing in our students' success.","fullyFundedDate":1769041446537,"projectUrl":"project/student-organization-classroom-work-fo/10035430/","projectTitle":"Student Organization & Classroom Work Folders","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saenz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374770_orig.jpg?crop=648,648,x0,y142&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767207269309","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374770"},{"teacherId":10374770,"projectId":10009139,"letterContent":"Because of you, my students now have the tools they need to actively participate in daily math drills. Using Expo markers allows students to practice problems in real time, take academic risks, and confidently show their thinking without fear of making mistakes. The ability to write, erase, and try again has increased student engagement and made math feel more accessible and fun.\r\n\r\nYour donation helps create an equitable learning environment where every student is prepared and included each day. We are truly grateful for your support and for believing in our students and their learning.","fullyFundedDate":1768541481066,"projectUrl":"project/daily-math-drills-made-possible-with-exp/10009139/","projectTitle":"Daily Math Drills Made Possible With Expo Markers","teacherDisplayName":"Ms. Saenz","teacherPhotoUrl":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp10374770_orig.jpg?crop=648,648,x0,y142&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1767207269309","teacherClassroomUrl":"classroom/10374770"}],"pageName":"schoolpage_82705","usesDonorsChoose":true,"infoPageType":"school","demographicsInfo":{"numStudents":540,"numTeachers":42,"percentFrplEligible":63,"percentAsian":2,"percentBlack":3,"percentWhite":38,"percentIndigenous":0,"percentLatinx":47,"showFreeAndReducedPriceLunchInfo":true,"showDemographicsInfo":true,"sourceTooltipString":"the National Center for Education Statistics","gradesServed":"6 - 8","studentTeacherRatio":"12.9:1","demographicsDataSource":"MDR School","equityFocus":true,"titleOne":true,"metroType":"TOWN","ncesMetroType":"TOWN_REMOTE"},"inStateSupporters":50.6,"schoolId":82705,"financialInfo":null,"twitterShareText":"Learn more about Chaparral Middle School on @DonorsChoose:","schoolName":"Chaparral Middle School","canonicalPageUrl":"schools/new-mexico/alamogordo-school-district-1/chaparral-middle-school/82705"}