Past projects 15
Robotics on the Rise with Computer Science Student Leaders!
Funded Dec 5, 2022I am so incredibly grateful for this kind and generous donation! Today marks the first day of Computer Science Education Week. You have gifted our students with such a timely and meaningful donation to support the expansion of Computer Science Education at our school! Thank you for helping us ensure that more students have access to the tools and opportunities they will need to be Future Ready in Computer Science and STEM!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by Cognizant Foundation.No One Sits Alone: Tables and Chairs for Collaboration!
Funded Dec 5, 2022Thank you for supporting our classroom.
In complete honesty, I did not believe this project would be funded when I created it but I had to ask on behalf of our students- it was a need. Comfortable furniture is such a necessity and a welcoming classroom environment is so impactful on learning. Tables and chairs are costly. I didn't know if a donor could share the same vision for our STEM lab. Then came you! You filled our hearts today with excitement moving forward in our space. I'm so happy I get to share your impact, as it will reach all grades who visit our lab! I look forward to sharing the before and after images in the near future!
Thank you again for your generosity!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by Cognizant Foundation.Come Make a Circuit with Me!
Funded Nov 29, 2022Thank you so much for the match offer and the ability to purchase much needed supplies for our classroom. With the Snap Circuit kits, our students will be able to hone their STEM skills and increase their understanding of electronic hardware.
This is a gift that will continue to give for many years!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by an Anonymous Classroom Supporter and 3 other donors.We've Flipping Over Flipgrid- Help Us Find Our Voice "Mics"
Funded Oct 30, 2019Thank you for supporting our classroom with these much needed headphones. Our students will be very excited to use them right out of the box!
These headphones will enable our students to work more efficiently in a crowded space and make better use of accessibility tools to support their learning. Your kindness has made all the difference.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by SONIC Drive-In and one other donor.3D Printing for Elementary Engineers
Funded Nov 16, 2018Thank you very much for our new 3D Printer and design software. Our students love making and creating so the 3D printer was the perfect addition to spark their interest in the 3D design space. We are trying to show them that you can be a creator and that not everything has to be store bought.
We used the 3D printer to mass produce cases for our Micro Bit computers. These cases were very important to our project to help protect our tiny computers before assembling our "Micro Pets". Purchasing these cases would have been costly and by printing them ourselves we were able to see first hand how technology lets us create to meet a need. Students were incredibly excited to learn about the process of designing in a 3D space works and loved having the opportunity to watch prints go to the printer.
For our next steps, I will be looking forward to teaching students how to design their own creations on the computer and bring them into the physical world with your 3D printer gift.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
In Search of a Magic Carpet
Funded Nov 29, 2018Thank you again for help bringing this bright and colorful carpet to our room. The carpet serves as a meeting place and a place for explorative collaboration for the entire school.
Our students use the carpet to work comfortably with robots, sometimes to build a story but also to work in the open space with our coding train. Having this carpet makes the space more inviting but also pushes their imaginations as they examine the layout of the rooms and discuss ideas about how it compares to their own homes.
I had originally envisioned the carpet as grid students could use to plan stories and program their robots, it still serves that purpose but it has also brought so much more to our room than I could have imagined.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and one other donor.Access for All- Presentation Translator to the Rescue
Funded Sep 12, 2018Having access to the Windows powered laptop and microphone you supplied with Microsoft Translator has allowed me to connect with all of my students. The real time translation, and multi-translation features using a "join" QR code enables students to connect with the class instruction in their home language. In this way, everyone has an opportunity to access the content being covered regardless of language differences.
I have used this technology extensively in my upper grade classes with great success this far! Thanks to your help all of my fifth grade students, regardless of language differences, are all able to complete their game design challenges alongside one another at a similar pace. This is especially helpful in one of my classes where there are 3 different languages.
Thank you again for your generosity and kindness!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
Flexible Seating to Fuel Makerspace Collaboration
Funded Mar 27, 2018Thanks to your support, our students now have flexible options for seating in the lab. Students use stools as a quick way to join another student in collaborating at their workstation or at centers around the room. Additionally, we have student leaders who volunteer their time in the lab during lunch. Having informal seating options for our volunteers, like the bean bags, makes them feel at home in our shared space. Offering a student a different place to sit has brought more than one smile to their faces. Thank you again for your wonderful gift.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by Ripple.Game Design for the Youngest Minds
Funded Feb 1, 2018Thank you so much for supporting our student interest in game design! Using Bloxels has given us the ability to explore design concepts from start to finish in a way that is accessible for even our youngest students in Grade 1. I've begun implementing centers in our lower elementary classes using Bloxel's builder with support from our older students. The time spent working together has been incredibly engaging for students but more than that has built a sense of community surrounding our work in Computer Science as a school.
The tools you have shared are allowing students to make strong connections with the games they enjoy and elements of story telling. By designing and building their own "stories" in Bloxels they are developing a young identity tied to technology as a tool for creation not just consumption.
I wish you all of the best and want you to know that your investment in our students has brought many smiles!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
Give Us Just a Little "Bit" of Computer Science Love!
Funded Dec 31, 2017When I originally put together this project, I had planned on using the Micro:bit to help students understand the impact of their code through immediate feedback. Those materials were unavailable from the retailer but we found a great option to continue with the project. With the help of Donor's Choose we substituted the Micro:bit for Mini Spheros. The Spheros have been a welcome addition to our Computer Science classroom and have provided an incredible choice for students during indoor recess as well.
The Mini Sphero is a programmable sphere shaped robot that students control through an iPad. This robot allows for integration of math concepts that is seamless, and provides a challenge for my upper elementary students that has been very well received. Students work in partnerships to design challenges and obstacles that they can then program robots to navigate. The collaboration and problem solving has had a very positive impact on how my students in grades 3-5 approach programming. The Mini Sphero provides immediate feedback and challenges students to course correct their code as needed. Students become so invested in the outcome of their programs that they do not leave class or recess willingly!
Thank you again for your generosity and supporting our students in their pursuit of Computer Science at the Elementary School. I am certain the memories and skills they build around the tools you have provided will benefit them for many years to come!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Westhall
This classroom project was brought to life by Con Edison and 3 other donors.