Wakefield Forest Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia on DonorsChoose

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As they planned, built, tested, and revised their designs, students learned that successful engineering is about far more than constructing a model—it is about working together, communicating ideas, overcoming setbacks, and finding creative solutions to real-world challenges.\r\n\r\nAs you look through the photos, you'll notice the remarkable attention to detail. Many groups incorporated built-in storage throughout their homes, especially in the kitchen, where cabinets, shelving, and hidden compartments maximized every available space. Others designed loft sleeping areas to take advantage of vertical space, recognizing that building upward creates more functional living areas without increasing a home's footprint. Teams that included staircases cleverly transformed each step into additional storage, while others chose ladders to preserve valuable floor space.\r\n\r\nOne group designed a multifunctional table that flips over to become a ping-pong table for recreation, then easily reverses into a dining table or workspace—an outstanding example of designing spaces that serve multiple purposes. Another team's home features fairy lights powered by the mini solar panels from this project, bringing renewable energy to life in a way that students could see and experience firsthand.\r\n\r\nThe engineering tools you provided gave students authentic opportunities to think, build, test, and improve their ideas. The Chomp saw allowed groups to safely create precise pieces for their structures, Snap Circuits helped them understand how electricity flows, and the solar panels encouraged students to explore renewable energy as they designed sustainable solutions. These weren't simply classroom activities—they were experiences that empowered students to think like engineers and discover that their ideas have value.\r\n\r\nOne of the most meaningful outcomes of this project was something we hadn't anticipated. As students worked through the design process, they naturally began discussing how to use resources wisely. Conversations about conserving materials, reducing waste, making thoughtful design choices, and creating efficient living spaces became just as important as the engineering itself. Students weren't only learning how to build tiny homes—they were developing an appreciation for sustainability and the responsibility that comes with using our resources wisely. Those authentic discussions became some of the richest learning moments of the entire project.\r\n\r\nAlthough these photos highlight just a handful of designs, they represent only a small fraction of what was created. Most of the images capture students in the middle of the design process rather than showcasing completed projects. That was intentional. The true value of this experience wasn't simply the finished tiny homes—it was the collaboration, brainstorming, revising, problem-solving, and perseverance that happened along the way. Those moments of discovery are where the deepest learning took place.\r\n\r\nEvery team's tiny home reflected its own creativity, collaboration, and engineering mindset. More importantly, the lessons students gained from this experience will remain with them long after the models have been put away. They developed perseverance, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and confidence while discovering that innovation often comes through persistence and collaboration.\r\n\r\nThe greatest measure of this project's success came directly from the students themselves. The overwhelming majority shared that this was their favorite project of the entire school year, and many even said it was their favorite project they have completed during their entire time at our school. As an educator, there is no greater reward than seeing students so deeply engaged that learning becomes something they genuinely look forward to.\r\n\r\nYour generosity did far more than provide classroom materials. You gave students the opportunity to experience the engineering design process, tackle authentic problems, discover the importance of sustainability, and realize that they are capable of creating meaningful solutions for the future. The excitement, confidence, and curiosity sparked by this project will extend far beyond our classroom walls and will stay with these students for years to come.\r\n\r\nEvery prototype, every thoughtful discussion, every challenge overcome, and every proud smile captured in these photos is a direct result of your generosity. 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About this school

Wakefield Forest Elementary School is a suburban public school in Fairfax, Virginia that is part of Fairfax County Public Schools. It serves 597 students in grades K - 6 with a student/teacher ratio of 16.6:1. Its teachers have had 17 projects funded on DonorsChoose.

Public School

Grades K - 6

597 Students

36 Teachers

4011 Iva Ln

Fairfax, VA 22032 View local requests

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Ms. Vero, a DonorsChoose teacher for 9 years.

Kindergarten teacher at PS81 - Robert J. Christen School in Bronx, NY

Wakefield Forest Elementary School Teachers on DonorsChoose

Ms. Delarosa

Ms. Massetti

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Wakefield Forest Elementary School Demographics

of students receive free or reduced price lunch

Source: the National Center for Education Statistics

31%

of students are Black, Latino, Native American, or Asian

Schools in districts that mainly serve students of color receive substantially less state and local support than similar districts that serve primarily White students. Learn more about this gap, why it exists, and how you can help close it.

Wakefield Forest Elementary School Support on DonorsChoose Last updated Aug 13, 2026

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