Past projects 37
Overcoming Back-to-School Inertia With Hands-on Physics
Funded Sep 3, 2019This project was a smash hit! It is often said that we "learn best by doing". In this engineering design project, we took it one step further and learned through the process of making, building, and testing. With your material support, students used their knowledge of physics to design and build prototypes for emergency "drop pods" that would deliver supplies to people in critical need after a natural disaster. I can't thank you enough for supporting my students learning. You make it possible to take learning to the next level and make middle school memorable.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
The Great Potential of Just One Pencil!
Funded Mar 15, 2019Together, I think we've found the perfect pencil. Not only are The Palomino Forest Choice pencils you donated made of natural, sustainable cedar, they look, write, and even smell great! What's more, students eyes lit up when they saw them. Kids deserve to know they are worth the highest quality learning supplies.
Since receiving this project, we've taken state tests, completed final projects, crunched calculations, and reflected on our learning, all with the materials you've given to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
The Great Gift of Chromebooks!
Funded Dec 3, 2018With another successful project complete, I can't thank you enough!
You probably already know one of my core beliefs as an educator: I feel strongly that technology has an unlimited potential to transform the learning environment. Access to computers in schools is anything but guaranteed in New York City schools, and most teachers do not have a class set available throughout the school day.
The chromebooks you've donated to my classroom will have a real impact on student learning; they'll be used daily by my students to conduct research, access digital media, and to learn in an environment that matches the 21st century world we live in.
Providing this access to my students is of the highest importance and priority to me. Thanks for making it happen a being a part of the process.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous donor and 6 other donors.Headphones Help to Personalize Learning
Funded Nov 28, 2018Thanks to you, my classroom is a more dynamic learning space! The headphones you donated to our class are impacting student learning by enabling my students to work at their own pace through digital resources. Put more simply, having headphones in the classroom makes it easier to let students who are ready for a challenge move ahead, while students who may need a little extra support can get what they need.
It may sounds strange, but access to headphones is a critical part of the 21st century classroom. Thanks for making it possible for my students to use them each day.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 6 other donors.Every Classroom Needs a Great Printer!
Funded Dec 3, 2018Without your help, my classroom would simply not be the same. Your support enables me, in turn, to support my students in the best way I can. No longer having to worry about our printing needs means one more potential barrier to the learning process has been eliminated.
March is a tough time of year in any school. Resources begin to diminish; teachers and students push forward in the longest instructional month of the year. During this time, we're especially thankful to benefit from the contributions you make to our classroom. It not only gets us through the year, but it enables us to amazing work.
In the photos shared, you will see the classroom printer, but also some of the learning that the printer has supported. In these photos, students are preparing for, and participating in, a class debate about the story of Henrietta Lacks' cells.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 3 other donors.Essentials for Learning
Funded May 9, 2018Toward the end of last year, you provided my classroom with essential materials that all students need. As the new school year approaches, many of those supplies will make it possible to start the year strong, without having to scramble for essential, everyday learning materials as many teachers must do to provide for their students.
Basic supplies like these are truly essential, and while schools are under-resourced, your support is critical. Thank you for letting my students be the beneficiaries of your compassion and generosity. Know that I will work to ensure your contribution to my classroom goes to good use!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by General Motors and 3 other donors.Green Architecture and Design with Legos!
Funded Oct 10, 2017Our big green infrastructure project doesn't start for another few weeks, but the materials in this project have already made a significant impact on student learning. In the attached photos, you will see a student campaign to research and spread awareness about problems in our school cafeteria. Students collected, analyzed, and visualized their data using many materials, including the legos that you so generously funded in this project. In our next project, they will use the materials to design and model green infrastructure solutions to our school property.
Donorschoose has connected and kept me connected with people like you, who understand the value and importance of the learning environment and the ongoing need for high quality resources in schools that struggle to provide such resources.
All I can really say is thank you, thank you, thank you. And one more on behalf of my amazing students.... thank you.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 2 other donors.Hours of After-School Puzzling!
Funded Jan 11, 2017Those of you who know about my work as an educator know that I strive to create an environment that is, at once, both challenging and fun. I really believe we do our best thinking when we are solving interesting, perplexing and pertinent problems in bite-sized chunks. Facilitating critical thinking is essential, but fostering a love of critical thinking in young learners is, I'm convinced, how we make change in the world.
The puzzles you donated have helped me to create this atmosphere for my afterschool group- a group of learners who simply love a good brain teaser. Just this past weekend, I brought the after-school program that received these puzzles to NYC's premier middle school math tournament. Out of over 1000 students, 4 of our 6 teams came out in first place in their grade/level! These students were so excited to win the competition, but even more excited just to continue solving great puzzles as a team. Thank you for believing in us and supporting us.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
Inspiring With Infographic Books
Funded Oct 8, 2016For some of my students, the idea that data can be exciting or interesting, let alone beautiful or elegant, is a thought that has never crossed their minds. My students, with the exception of a few, tend to think of math as a burden rather than a toolbox, a chore rather than an art. When I envisioned this project, I wanted to my students to become designers as much as data scientists, so that they think about how interesting and important issues can be communicated in visually pleasing ways.
The books that you donated to my classroom gave my students a chance to see firsthand how the tools of math they are learning can be used to convey interesting, sometimes mind-blowing concepts in easy to understand ways. From their, we used these books as inspiration for our own infographics, putting the students in the driver's seat.
Through this project, my students creativity really blossomed as I watched them develop more positive associations with data and design. Your donation is what made this possible, and for that I am whole-heartedly thankful.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 4 other donors.Small Rewards for Big Achievers
Funded Aug 31, 2016In education, the "little things" matter... in big ways. What might seem insignificant in a classroom can have a big effect on how students view their class, their school, and most importantly, themselves as learners.
When I requested these materials, I had in mind the importance of the small things I can do or give as a teacher to make my students feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated.
My students are not only enjoying the small supplies, mini-prizes, and snacks you have donated, but they are also feeling like they are members of a community that values them. You've brought smiles, but more importantly, helped to build trust and integrity in our classroom community in these early months of the school year.
Thank you for appreciating the great value of small things.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Zimmermann
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 7 other donors.