Past projects 5
Spike for Learning!
Funded Jan 25, 2024LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential engages students in hands-on investigation of STEAM concepts using everyday themes. In addition to learning computer science and design engineering concepts, students will also develop their literacy, math, and social-emotional skills as they turn concepts into reality.
Using our new SPIKE Essential kits, my students developed an understanding of computer science as they created sequences and loops, decomposed problems, and improved programs in order to meet specific needs. They investigated ways of accurately describe the decisions they made when creating a program, carried out fair tests and developed their ability to generate and debug multiple solutions.
One of my students favorite things to do during this unit was to build a river ferry. They created and tested the program that sent the river ferry to the Spike Tower. They tested their models to complete the two challenges in the app: Modify the program to improve the river ferry ride and upgrade the river ferry for the next journey.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Blackard
Chess: The Game of Life
Funded Sep 23, 2021We are in chess heaven. My students opened the boxes to the new chess sets today and we so excited to see the shiny new boxes. We immediately began playing with them. The students were thinking and strategizing while playing chess. The impact this has had on my class is huge - students are conversing in chess language and thinking harder than they have for a long time.
We want to thank you for bringing chess into our lives. You have made a difference, creating a love of chess that will last a lifetime.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Blackard
This classroom project was brought to life by The DonorsChoose Community and 3 other donors.Science In The Middle
Funded Oct 21, 2013On behalf of me and my students, I want to thank you for contributing so greatly to our science program. We appreciate the value you place on science education and our community's children.
Hands-on science experimenting is an integral part our ability to teach children from under-served and low-income communities. Being active in the learning process helps make abstract science concepts become interesting and meaningful, helping students apply their learning to real life situations. Our kids will benefit from your generosity for years to come. Thank you!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Blackard
Have a Heart!
Funded Oct 18, 2012Thank you so much for your gift of knowledge! By funding our heart dissection, you opened the curious minds of our students to possibilities and new experiences. Many of my students said this was the best thing they had ever done in school!
In today's world of video games and computers, it is sometimes a challenge to keep students interested in academics. By providing them with lessons they can touch, see, and in this case, smell, my students became engaged, active learners.
Your gift touched over 200 lives. Thank you for allowing me to show my students that learning can be exciting and fun!”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Blackard
Exploring Our World
Funded Nov 2, 2009I want to thank you for awarding my class this grant. Because of your generosity, my students were able to experience those "aha" moments teachers wait to see. The experiments you enabled me to share with my students gave them knowledge they will use for many years to come. With the economy in the state that it is, I would not have been able to provide these experiences without your help.
Thank you again for your generosity. I hope you are able to continue your program for years to come and that many more children will benefit from your grants.”
With gratitude,
Mrs. Blackard