Past projects 42
Changing With the Times: STEM to STEAM-Final Set
Funded Nov 30, 2017Receiving this final set of Lego Wedo 2.0 kits has truly been amazing. For the last few weeks, classes have been sharing kits and just like students at home - some are really neat and others, not so much! Some groups can't keep their pieces in the "right spots" to make it easy for everyone to find. Since the arrival students NO LONGER need to share kits! The shouts of joy could be heard through the hallway! This may sound like something insignificant, but to these students who have grown up sharing EVERYTHING with EVERYONE in their homes, having something that is "theirs" to use is just a wonderful experience! This also means that they don't have to take their project apart each class.
We've spent the last few weeks learning the basics of coding and programming. They've mastered three different builds - Milo the Science Rover, Milo and the Motion Sensor, Milo's Tilt Sensor and Collaborate - the joining together of two or more robots! They've learned how to document their progress through use of the extensive software package and enjoy sharing their results, not only with each other, but with their families and friend. Next week, the students start on their extreme habitats challenge: How does the environment influence the traits of animals? In science class, students have been researching their habitat and it's requirements for life. Now they have the challenge to create both a creature and the habitat they live in, showing how the creature has adapted to its surroundings. The students choose a model for inspiration. Then experiment and create their own solutions, modifying any basic model. They have free reign! They can do anything they dream of! I can't wait to see what they create.
It's because of donors like you, that my students have a chance to gain the 21st century STEM skills because you took the time and gave to our project. Both my students, their parents and I owe you greatly for this wonderful honor. Thank you for helping us out! None of this would be possible without you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 4 other donors.Building Knowledge Through Video Games--One Block At A Time
Funded Nov 27, 2017I have to say it's a fabulous two weeks with BLOXELS! So you understand how it works, Bloxels are little blocks that fit into a 13X13 grid, where students design every aspect of a video game; from the characters, to the levels, to the story, the background and all of the little fun details that make up a game like power ups, and evil creatures. Students then use their ipad to upload a picture of the design. They add in all the aspects in the design software and test their game. They quickly learn what makes a game successful and what just doesn't get the job done!
Since our packages arrived, the excitement hasn't let up in the Discovery Lab. EVERY grade level is talking about what our second and third graders are working on. We've taken time to talk about what we like in our favorite games and demo games other students have created with the program. Then the REAL FUN began! The creation and testing phase of our project has been the most amazing part yet. The teamwork and collaboration that is going on in the lab is just simply exciting. Students are buzzing about the room talking about pros and cons with design and problem solving.
One part that has truly touched my heart is that some of our lower performing students have become superstars in the Bloxels world. Working on a their game has given them such a confidence boost, that it's simply amazing! The fact that they get a chance to be the ones helping everyone out just makes their day! I have a few students who have even earned extra time to come in and be experts during the second grade classes. To think, your donation has provided such an overwhelmingly amazing experience for my students, I just can't stop saying THANK YOU! Your donation has made a difference in many lives, including mine! Thanks for making it so that EVERYONE can participate!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and one other donor.Changing With The Times - Lego WeDo 2.0
Funded Oct 12, 2017I just have to share with you the level of excitement that our students have for this project. The boxes arrived two weeks ago. It took us over a week to get all of the pieces sorted and labeled for each kit to be ready to use! During those two weeks, students would come and take a sneak peak in the lab to see the kits. Every day during lunch, students asked... "Can we build with them yet??? PLEASE!"
Today was the day to get everything started and what an amazing day it was! My first set students were able to create their introductory program, which truly introduces them to the Lego WeDo 2.0 model, kit, and programming software. Students were able to use their kits to build Milo, the Rover and program him to move forward at a set speed. It amazed me how quickly they were able to follow the steps and complete their very first design. Once programed, they were able to manipulate the program to get Milo to do, what any kid wants to do, GO FAST! We had Milo robots speeding around the classroom! It was simply amazing.
As with any large scale project, were getting started with "baby steps" that will lead them to building their final design - investigating the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the movement of an object, which goes right along with our science curriculum! The students will get to expand on their knowledge and document their progress throughout their experience! They can even share their creations with their parents through email! Having a robotics kit, like WeDo 2.0 just gives us endless possibilities for where our future can take us! Thanks for getting us started with our first four kits!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by 3M and 4 other donors.Changing with the Times - STEM to STEAM
Funded Oct 25, 2017I just have to share with you the level of excitement that our students have for this project. The boxes arrived two weeks ago. It took us over a week to get all of the pieces sorted and labeled for each kit to be ready to use! During those two weeks, students would come and take a sneak peak in the lab to see the kits. Every day during lunch, students asked... "Can we build with them yet??? PLEASE!"
Today was the day to get everything started and what an amazing day it was! My first set students were able to create their introductory program, which truly introduces them to the Lego WeDo 2.0 model, kit, and programming software. Students were able to use their kits to build Milo, the Rover and program him to move forward at a set speed. It amazed me how quickly they were able to follow the steps and complete their very first design. Once programed, they were able to manipulate the program to get Milo to do, what any kid wants to do, GO FAST! We had Milo robots speeding around the classroom! It was simply amazing.
As with any large scale project, were getting started with "baby steps" that will lead them to building their final design - developing a Life Cycles Program for their plant or animal. The research stage is taking place after lunch. I've never seen students just so excited to get working. Thanks to generous donors like you, you have made my classroom a true STEAM classroom where students are using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to create a masterpiece! Thanks for also helping us with our 21st century skill of coding! We could not do this without you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and one other donor.Final Countdown - Class Set of Robots
Funded Aug 31, 2017Thank you so very much for your more than generous donations to my classroom robotics project. Participating in robotics and learning how to program is like learning another language. My students are gaining invaluable skills that will only push them into their future STEM career.
Through funding this project, we were able to gain two DASH Robots that have been used in hands-on centers in the classroom so all students experience how to program robots. The best part about this project is hearing the screams and squeals of joy when their robot completes their mission. It's a sound that I will always treasure.
Thank you so much for making their robot dreams come true and making sure every student has a robot to use!
Robotically yours,”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by 3M and one other donor.3D Your World
Funded Nov 20, 2016The day our package of 3Doodlers arrived was like Christmas. I don't know who was more excited - me or the students. As we unboxed all of the fantastic materials, we had to get started using them right away. Right out of the box, well.. once the Doodlers were fully charged... we started creating! We followed the steps in the books and found online videos that have improved our creations 10 fold! Our creations have grown in size and difficulty since the start.
Once the basic creations began, now the students are figuring out way to incorporate 3D building into their engineering projects! The third graders are figuring out how to use the 3Doodler to help come up with a prototype for their statue to be used in our new school garden. The first graders are waiting patiently for them to finish, so they can begin to make their bridges in 3D. The possibilities are endless with their designs! I can't wait to see what the future holds when it comes to creativity and their 3D building!
And again, to my mystery Bentley Alumni who funded this project - words can not express my gratitude for your thoughtfulness! Your generosity means the world to me!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by 3Doodler and one other donor.Coding Our Way Through the Classroom
Funded Sep 23, 2016Your donations to this project have afforded my students to start to learn the basics of the programming language, which will ultimately help them as future learners! Through the use of the Ozobots, my students to have a chance to program actual robots and see how they can make them move. The robots are used in hands on centers in the classroom where the students are using colors to code what the robot does. One student loved making a a maze with their name and using the color code of green blue green, so the robot will turn around and do the maze backwards! Using patterning in robotics, helps them not only with math, but in their future learning endeavors!
Your donation to this project has let my students be able to take their knowledge a step further, than just working on the computer. They are gaining first hand knowledge about making things move and how programming can lead to their future career! Thank you... Thank you... Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by Dalio Foundation and 5 other donors.Programing Our Way Through the World Partt 4
Funded Sep 13, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so very much for your more than generous donations to my classroom robotics project. Participating in robotics and learning how to program is like learning another language. My students are gaining invaluable skills that will only push them into their future STEM career.
Through funding this project, we were able to gain three DOT Robots and the three Launcher Kits that have been used in hands-on centers in the classroom so all students experience how to program robots. The best part about this project is hearing the screams and squeals of joy when their robot completes their mission. It's a sound that I will always treasure.
Thank you so much for making their robot dreams come true!
Robotically yours,”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by Dalio Foundation and 3 other donors.EcoSTEMMING it!
Funded Mar 9, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so very much for the three EcoSTEM kits! My students are completely engrossed in this project
based learning opportunity which will help them make the world a better place. So far we've had a chance to work with the water kit. While using the water kit, it's helped my students come up with a way to protect one of earth's most precious resources: water! They have taken samples of the water right outside our own school building and have truly found out the importance of clean water. They are now building water filters, to filter out the harmful particles. We will next be moving onto the Energy kit where they will produce renewable energy that it is as efficient and cost-effective.
The best part about using these three kits is that my students will be able to take their new found knowledge and apply it their own lives. This will make the affect of learning a lasting one... they can put their newly figured out problems to use with their own families. This way, the learning keeps going and going.
Thank you for help my students unleash their creative abilities in the engineering and design process to see how their work can affect the world around them! Projects like this give my students that added edge they need to help compete for a seat at a STEM middle/high school to push them to their future careers in engineering! Thank you so much for caring about our learning!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by Captain Planet Foundation and one other donor.It's Electric, Artistic, and Engineering too... Part 2
Funded Jun 22, 2016Dear Donors,
Thank you so very much for our 3 Little Bits Kits. During our study on electricity my fourth graders have such an amazing opportunity using these materials. Normally in school they make a light bulb light. Now because of donors like you, they have the ability to unleash their creativity. These students are at a point in their learning, where they have a specific questions they want to know the answers to & want to figure them out on their own.
Using the littleBits kits gives them the opportunity to not only test out their ideas about electricity, but it allows them to create their own design throughout the process. They get to add color & choose various materials to design every aspect. The amount of pride they feel when creating their own challenge and solving it is truly amazing. Something else that is very important is they also learn what it is like to fail. Not everything they create is going to work correctly the first time. They learn in the Discovery Lab that when they fail - it is just their first attempt in learning! This project also gives them the freedom they need to design their own invention and empower them through art. Projects like this give my students that added edge they need to help compete for a seat at a STEM middle/high school to push them to their future careers in engineering!
My fifth graders saw what the fourth graders were working on and have asked if they can borrow the kits during recess to build! Excitement like that is contagious! Thank you so much for helping my students unleash their creative abilities in the engineering and design process to figure out how electricity works!
Thank you again for your generous donations!”
With gratitude,
Ms. W.
This classroom project was brought to life by an anonymous donor and 8 other donors.