Past projects 4
Sparking Engagement in STEM
Funded Feb 12, 2025Thank you so much for your generous support! Your donation of colorful whiteboard markers and Hot Wheels cars has brought excitement and hands-on learning into our physics classroom. The Hot Wheels have been an incredible tool for helping students explore concepts like velocity, acceleration, and energy transfer. One of our favorite projects so far has been designing ramps and measuring how different heights affect speed. Watching students collaborate, collect data, and refine their experiments has been amazing—these resources have truly made physics come to life!
The moment my students saw the Hot Wheels, their faces lit up with excitement. Some immediately started reminiscing about playing with them as kids, while others eagerly discussed how they could use them for experiments. It turned what could have been a routine physics lesson into something interactive and engaging. The colorful whiteboard markers have also been a game-changer, helping students visualize problems and work through equations in a way that makes learning more dynamic and collaborative.
Looking ahead, we are diving deeper into concepts like kinetic energy and momentum. Students will be making predictions using physics equations and then testing their hypotheses with real experiments. The whiteboard markers will continue to help them sketch motion diagrams and work through complex problems together. Your generosity has transformed our classroom into a space where students can actively explore and apply what they're learning. Thank you again for making such a meaningful impact on our students' education!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lewis
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares.Building Curiosity: Brightening Learning Spaces With Colors and Puzzles
Funded May 22, 2024The new resources, including Expo markers, coloring pads, LED lights, a lava lamp, and puzzles for downtime, have significantly enhanced the classroom environment. The LED lights and lava lamp helped create a more engaging and fun environment. The addition of puzzles as an activity for early finishers has also been a game-changer, offering a calming and engaging option when students complete their work, keeping them focused without the usual distraction of phones.
When my students first saw the new LEDs, their reactions were excited and grateful to have alternate lighting to the bright florescent lighting in other classrooms. The lava lamp also drew immediate attention, setting a creative tone for the class. The puzzles, introduced as a fun alternative to phone use, were surprisingly well-received. Students seemed relieved to have something tactile and relaxing to engage with after finishing their work. These simple but engaging tools have helped maintain a productive, distraction-free classroom environment”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lewis
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Supporter and one other donor.Logic Puzzles & Brain Games
Funded Dec 28, 2022Thank you for funding my project. My students were very excited to have new games and logic puzzles to play with during class after tests and assignments are completed. Your support helps kids engage with one another, reduce their screen time and keep their brains engaged.
It has been an encouragement to me seeing students initiating playing games with peers or playing with on individual puzzles or figits during while others finish tests or classwork.
I'm grateful for your support and helping my classroom keep kids brains challenged!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lewis
This classroom project was brought to life by Panda Cares.Flexible Seating Options for High School Math
Funded Aug 10, 2022Thank you so much for funding my project of alternative seating options. Student come in every day and look forward to a different seating option. Some students even come to class early to get there first so they can use the fun wobble seats. It has helped my classroom environment feel more welcoming, and also helps students to focus.
When I surveyed my classes at the end of the quarter, students said, "We love the different seats, get more of them!!"
Thank you for helping bring joy and energy into my classroom through the funding of my project!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Lewis
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 2 other donors.