Past projects 12
Bring Student Ideas to Life With 3D Printing
Funded May 17, 2022Once again I would like to send my deepest thanks for donating to my project to have a 3D printer in my classroom. I am currently listening it printing a student design as I write to you all. To date I have printed more than 30 student designs in just a few weeks of students designing.
I am primarily using the 3D printer during a special class that students can sign up for on a daily & weekly basis so students who are coming to my class are genuinely interested in 3D design and printing. I use a program called TinkerCad that is very easy to use for beginners to 3D design. The main limitation that I give all of the students is that they have to design the object they want printed. I do not allow them to find a file online to print.
My students have really enjoyed seeing their ideas and creations come to life where they are able to hold something that just a thought. I look forward to having many more sessions where students can continue to create something from nothing.
Once again, thank you all for your support of teachers and schools worldwide.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
All We Want To Do Is Read
Funded Jul 10, 2019Thank you all for your support in funding my project! Your support truly means so much to me and my school. Unfortunately schools and teachers need assistance in order to purchase materials, but people like you help bring our visions to light. I cannot wait to begin using these books this school year!!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
This classroom project was brought to life by Craig Newmark Philanthropies and 7 other donors.STEAMing Along
Funded Oct 12, 2017Thank you all so much for making this project successful. The students were so grateful for receiving the much needed materials to complete activities during our after school STEAM Academy. This program reaches almost 70 students in grades 3-5 with various STEAM projects after school. Without your donations, our students would not have the opportunities to explore a creative approach to solving problems. Our regular school day is jam packed with our state regulated standards that don't always allow teachers the opportunities to teach problem solving skills and the engineering design process.
The students in STEAM Academy have created balloon rocket cars using the wheels and dowels from this project along with various "junk". :-) They will be launching them down the hot wheels ramps at the end of our program. Later during our program they will be using the wheels and dowels again to make gliding cars.
They have also been using the copper tape to create sound tubes that will be attached to Makey Makey boards. We are also deciding whether we will use the Makey Makey kits to time our balloon rocket cars as they travel down the track. We have not used the motors yet but will be using them to create art bots that will draw a piece of art using markers. The motors will cause the robot to vibrate and bounce around on top of the paper to create a new abstract piece of art.
Once again, thank you all for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
Kids Love to Makey Makey
Funded Sep 14, 2017Thank you all so much for making this project successful. The students were so grateful for receiving the much needed materials to complete activities during our after school STEAM Academy. This program reaches almost 70 students in grades 3-5 with various STEAM projects after school. Without your donations, our students would not have the opportunities to explore a creative approach to solving problems. Our regular school day is jam packed with our state regulated standards that don't always allow teachers the opportunities to teach problem solving skills and the engineering design process.
The students in STEAM Academy have used the Makey Makey kits and have been loving them. They have explored with turning bananas into bongos, creating piano keys out of Play Doh, and completing circuits with various materials to light up LED bulbs.
They will be using PVC pipe, aluminum foil, and copper tape to create sound tubes that will be attached to Makey Makey boards. We are also deciding whether we will use the Makey Makey kits to time our balloon rocket cars as they travel down a toy track.
Once again, thank you all for your support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and one other donor.Let There Be Light
Funded May 3, 2017Thank you all for donating to the project "Let There Be Light"!! Our school lacks the resources or means to purchase materials that are needed to teach science. My kids are so excited to have the opportunity to use these materials. They love when they receive anything new to explore science concepts. When I opened the boxes, it was like Christmas for the kids. I always make sure to open packages from Donors Choose in front of my students so they can share in the excitement of new materials.
We spend a good portion learning about light and the effects it has when it travels through various objects. The color paddles, prisms, and lenses will allow students the experience to make these explorations. They will use flashlights and light drums that I have made for them to explore with.
Later in the spring, students will have the chance to investigate as light travels through various mediums to see how it reflects or refracts. The materials you donated money for will lead to years of exploration for my current and future classes. Thank you so much for helping our students and school grow with your donations.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
K'NEX STEM Materials
Funded Dec 18, 2013Thank you all for donating and ultimately funding this project. My students were thrilled to have the opportunity to use the K'Nex sets and learn while using a "toy". They have been excited to use them and always get energized to use them.
I have already implemented the sets into my lessons. My second graders have been learning about the sun's energy so they were able to use the solar cells to watch the sun's energy at work by moving the "crank man". They also were able to learn about the wind's energy using a fan to move a sail car across the room.
I am planning on using the sets to teach different types of simple machines and force in motion for multiple grades. The K'Nex sets have made a major impact so far and I only see them continuing to make an impact.
Thank you all again for your donations.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
This classroom project was brought to life by The Leon Levine Foundation and 7 other donors.Science Lab Equipment Part II
Funded Jun 15, 2013Thank you is much for donating to my project and making it possible to bring new and exciting science materials to my 750 students I teach. We lack money to purchase new materials like water rocket launchers, glass prisms, tuning forks, hand boilers, and other great science materials. I will be able to implement these materials immediately into lessons. Donors like you are the reason teachers can create new and innovative ideas to excite students students about learning and science. Thank you for funding my project and helping all of my students learn.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
This classroom project was brought to life by Arts and Science Council and one other donor.Science Lab Equipment
Funded Sep 12, 2012Thank you so much for donating to my project and making it possible to bring new science equipment to my 700+ students. They truly enjoy completing science experiments and not just reading from the text. The equipment is also providing an enriching education opportunity for students to observe birds eating, protecting their clothes while conducting experiments, and moving the planets. Donors like you are the reason teachers can come up with new and innovative ideas to excite students about learning. Thank you for funding my project and helping all of my students learn.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
This classroom project was brought to life by Kia Motors America and 6 other donors.Plantasia
Funded Aug 5, 2012Thank you so much for donating to my project and making it possible to bring a new underwater world alive to my 700+ students. They truly enjoy watching the fish swim in and out of the plants. They also provide an enriching education opportunity for students to understand the different needs of plants such as light, water, and nutrients. Donors like you are the reason teachers can come up with new and innovative ideas to excite students about learning. Thank you for funding my project and helping all of my students learn.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills
Elmo Can Project the World for Us!
Funded Jun 20, 2012Thank you so much for donating to my project and making it possible to bring new technology into my classroom to be used by 700+ students. The ELMO makes it possible for our school to save money on paper and copier maintenance since I can utilize it in so many ways. Students are no longer complaining of not seeing the pictures in the book I am reading. I also have the ability to project living organisms on a larger scale for all students to view. This device offers so many more opportunities for me to motivate my students to learn. Donors like you are the reason teachers can come up with new and innovative ideas to excite students about learning. Thank you for funding my project and helping all of my students learn.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Wills