This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
On a typical day in my classroom students use technology to create. By the end of the school year my students will apply the engineering process to original creations. The challenge is limited access to technology. "Dream big" is what I tell my students so they can see themselves as engineers.
I have the pleasure to serve as the Gifted and Talented Specialist for a Gold-level Missouri Positive Behavior Support School in a high performing elementary school in a lower income community.
It is a Title I. school of 369 students. Demographically it is made up of 95.9 percent African American children with 82.7 percent or 292 students receiving Free and Reduced lunch. About 99% of my 45 students do not have any type of technology at home (home computer, tablet.).
I am in a school where the principal is a strong supporter of Science education and we have a Science Curator.
My Project
Students will use Makey Makey (a simple board that uses alligator clips and a USB plug in) to design an adapted interface for a computer game for a peer with Cerebral Palsy or limited mobility. This serves two purposes: It engages students in a real-world problem and it allows them to see the impact of their design in a real context. Students will use LEGO Mindstorms EV3 and the Dash Dot Pack to learn programming and problem-solving as they create original programs to cause the robots to perform certain actions.
They will use the LittleBits Electronics Deluxe Kit to conduct scientific inquiry and develop problem-solving skills. They will use the Ipad and app "Hopscotch" to learn to code and make games.
100% of participating students will score at the proficient level on a rubric on application of the engineering design process by May of 2016.
100% of participating students will rate the Maker Space program as engaging, rigorous and relevant as measured by a student survey in 5/16.
My solution to this problem is to create a “Maker Space” in my classroom and a curriculum to teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with the Maker Space as the vehicle.
A maker space is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials. The curriculum that I will be developing will be shared with teachers across the district. I will invite teachers in my building to an demonstration of the Maker Space.
Apple iPad Mini 4 MK6L2LL/A 7.9-Inch, 16GB, Wi-Fi, iOS 9, Gold
• Amazon Business
$347.85
1
$347.85
Dash Dot Pack
• Nasco
$172.24
1
$172.24
littleBits Electronics Deluxe Kit
• Amazon Business
$199.00
1
$199.00
Makey Makey - An Invention Kit for Everyone
• Amazon Business
$49.95
1
$49.95
Pepkoo Ipad Mini 1& 2 Case Plastic Kid Proof Extreme Duty Dual Protective Back Cover with Kickstand and Sticker for Ipad Mini 1&2 - Rainproof Sandproof Dust-proof Shockproof (Black/blue)
• Amazon Business
$16.28
1
$16.28
Getting Started with littleBits: Prototyping and Inventing with Modular Electronics
• Amazon Business
$15.23
1
$15.23
Materials cost
$1,150.50
Vendor shipping charges
$17.22
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$17.26
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,214.98
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$214.41
Total project goal
$1,429.39
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,429.39
5 Donors
-$1,429.39
Donations toward project cost
-$1,214.98
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.