Past projects 14
Marketing Our (Farmers) Market
Funded Dec 31, 2017Thank you so much for contributing the 3Doodler, 3D Printing Pens to my classroom. We have had so much fun with them and we've also learned so much.
From the student perspective, they are delighted to bring even the tiniest little object to life. Whether they've made a tiny circle or a complex robot, the students are overjoyed to see that they can create something all by themselves. Students are having fun with the engaging hands on aspect and immediate feedback. They feel a true sense of ownership completing an item. We are using the items to spark ideas for their STEM writing pieces, and their final ideas will be displayed at our school district's STEM Fair next month.
From my teacher perspective I appreciate the students being able to use these 3D Printer Pens because it Introduces them to new concepts in technology. For many younger students, the idea of 3D printing with a traditional 3D printer can be too abstract and somewhat difficult for them to conceptualize. These 3D Printing Pens are so simple to use that even the youngest of students can better understand 3D printing. With this basic understanding established at an early age, creating items using software programs and a traditional 3D printer will be a snap when they get into the upper grades.
Thank you so much!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Roberts
This classroom project was brought to life by An Anonymous Donor and 6 other donors.Think Like a Scientist
Funded Sep 27, 2017Thank you so much for generously donating makey makeys to our class. Without your help we would not have been able to use this new kind of technology. As you may know, schools like ours operate on very tight budgets which makes gaining access to new, cutting edge technology difficult at times. These makey makeys help students learn about circuitry, computer programming, gaming and how they- as programmers- impact computer science.
My students found programming to be very interesting and exciting. They enjoyed using everyday object as computer keys; such as playdough, quarters, and bananas. Some students liked creating larger, more interesting keypads with the makey makeys because the keys on the regular keyboards are too small and too close together. Something else that my students are looking forward to now is creating their own project and ideas based on the science behind the makey makeys.
I have a group of 4th and 5th grade students who are advanced engineers. They are currently processing what they have learned about circuitry and are applying the concepts to begin programming musical instruments of their own, specifically 6 string guitars.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Roberts
The Wheels on Solar Powered Vehicle Go Round And Round!
Funded Nov 10, 2015On behalf of our school, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution of the 7in1 Solar Rechargeable Solar Vehicle/Transformer Kits. The students have greatly benefited from your contribution; please allow me to share how.
When we received the solar kits I began working with a small group of 5th grade students. Their regular classroom teacher stayed with the rest of the class, while this small group and I set out to work on our solar transformer vehicle kits in a classroom that was not in use. The room had been used as a bit of a storage area for unwanted tables, desks, books, rolling class library shelves and more. Needless to say, the students and I were very excited to start building our solar vehicles, but we had no space in the room. So, long story short-we got to work organizing and cleaning. Now, we have turned that room into an official Maker Space Lab which the school has named "The In2 Lab" (In2 stands for innovation and inventions).
So, not only have all the students been enjoying coming through "The In2 Lab," but they also now have a place for ongoing STEAM making and idea creating.....By getting started on just this one solar powered transformer/vehicle project-they knocked it right out of the ballpark and started a Maker Movement right on our campus! We are forever grateful to you for providing us with "that one project" that started it all. Thank you.
Now, apart from being the spark that ignited our Maker spirit, the students were also able to take their solar powered transformer / vehicles to a STEAM Maker festival in December 2015. Not only did they learn about how these solar powered vehicles function, they also took on a huge project to try to answer the following question "How can we reduce the impact of global warming?" Their solutions were alternative, reusable energy sources for vehicles, energy efficient light bulbs, and net zero homes. They researched , worked with solar energy mentors, and created prototypes to go with their thinking. At the STEAM Maker festival, they showcased their solar powered transformer/vehicles, along with a doll house they had converted into a Net-Zero home, and a light -bulb panel with 4 different types of bulbs and demonstrated watt usage. The kits sparked their alternative energy interests.
Your passion fueled ours. Thank you for that.
Sincerely”
With gratitude,
Ms. Roberts
Brains So Hot--They S.T.E.A.M.!!!
Funded Dec 18, 2013I would like to thank you for providing my students with an iPad 2 to use in class for science, technology, engineering, art, and math research projects. I have seen a huge shift in both their confidence and ability this academic year.
One of the first projects the students used the iPad on was "Structures and Weather." Our class is using the new science standards for California Common Core called the Next Generation Science Standards. Part of that standard is for students to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard. With the use of the iPad 2 from you, my class was able to collaborate in groups, research hazardous weather in different parts of the world, find out what types of weather cause damage to building structures. They worked with an engineer from our city to then create building structures of their own that could survive the type of weather they researched. At the end of the project each collaborative group tested their hazardous weather against their structure in a weather demo on campus. Due to their intensive research and study almost every structure was able to withstand the weather demo. They learned overall how important a strong foundation is to the success of a building- a concept I have carried over with them into all areas this school year.
Their most recent project has been "Magnetic Inventions." For this project, students used the iPad 2 to research how magnets work. Then they researched parts of a magnet and discovered information on protons, neutrons, and electrons. They researched other magnetic inventions made by kids their own ages, and finally they worked in collaborative groups to create a magnetic invention of their own. They presented their inventions to the class in iMovie infomercials which were so exciting to watch! Thank you so much for allowing my class to be creative engineers this year!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Roberts