Albert Einstein was given credit for positing "it is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education." Through your generosity and advocacy in STEM education, quite the opposite is true. On behalf of myself and the 85 students under my tutelage, please accept heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to discover, play, and be curious- things often neglected in the school setting.
Since my students were invested in the process of gaining grant support for our Makey Makey kits, dutifully informing their parents of the opportunity, voting daily for the project via the Limeades for Learning program, and spreading the word at our school, the news that you were able to help us with our goal was met with daily excitement, leading to raucous applause when it was announced that the project was fully funded. Thank you for bringing excitement to my students!
Currently, students in my first block class are experimenting with the Makey Makey kits to discover games and interactive applications that fit with its functions. For example, some groups are focusing on musical applications, using conductive substances as "keys," while others are researching games for which a unique control device can be created. Later, this class will train my other classes in the appropriate use of Makey Makey, thereby creating more STEM FUN engineers!
In the long view of STEM learning, it is my hope that this experience, combined with other gameplay opportunities and game creation, will result in a measurable increase in problem-solving acuity. Sadly, the practice of problem solving is not contained in a specific academic standards; however, if it is not taught, the skill withers, much like a unattended rose. I will continue to challenge my students, with unique problem situations, in the hope I am strengthening them. Your help in this is noted, appreciated, and valued by not only teachers like me, but by students who will grow to succeed like we have.
Thanks!”
With gratitude,
Mr. K.