Help me give my students propellers, copper tubing, cigar tubes, corks, balsa wood, LEGO pieces, and candles to build steampunk inspired steam engines, robots, and airplanes in our STEM Lab.
"Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve." - Roger Lewin. I teach 1st-8th grade gifted students at two different campuses in rural Southwest Missouri. I teach these students in small groups of 5 to 14 students each, for 2 1/2 hours per week. These vibrant, eager students need opportunities to stretch and grow their minds in ways they can't always do in a regular classroom. Robert Maynard Hutchins has said, "The objective of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives."
My students need to be challenged to experiment, observe, take risks, and solve problems as they learn about all subjects.
Creativity and critical thinking are learned skills that requires instruction and practice. Critical thinking and problem solving can be taught by using instructional strategies that actively engage students in the learning process rather than relying on lecture and rote memorization, and by focusing instruction on the process of learning rather than solely on the content.
My Project
Imagine designing and constructing model of working steam engine or an early flying machine. This is an example of what my students will be able to do in our STEM/STEAM lab using these materials. They will be able to use the copper tubing, cigar holders, candles and balsa to build steam engines. They will use the propellers and balsa to build airplane models. The LEGO replacement parts will allow them to design and build all kinds of machines.
Kids who receive STEM education will be better prepared to face real life problems with more creativity, critical thinking and effectiveness.
I often have my students work together on STEM/STEAM projects to help them develop innovation, problem solving, and cooperation skills. They are given a challenge and then design, create, test, and reevaluate as they develop a solution to the problem. These types of STEM actives will help prepare my students for the STEM jobs of the future.
BALSA SHEETS 1/8X3X36 PACK OF 20
• School Specialty
$43.37
2
$86.74
50 ft 1/4 in Copper-Nickel Brake, Fuel, Transmission Tubing Coil (Universal Size)
• Amazon Business
$49.00
1
$49.00
BALSA WOOD CUTTER
• School Specialty
$21.08
2
$42.16
Stainless Steel Cigar Tube For One Cigar
• Amazon Business
$9.66
4
$38.64
30-Pack - 6" Plastic Propeller Metal Shaft Plastic Mount Craft Sticks, Ideal Rubber Band Powered Science Engineer Projects Like Airplanes Helicopters
• Amazon Business
$32.96
1
$32.96
LOONGON Technic Series Parts - 450 Pieces Gear Chain Link Connectors Bricks Sets Technic Parts Pack for Robot, Compatible with Lego Technic Parts
• Amazon Business
$27.98
1
$27.98
LOONGON Technic Parts 138 Pieces Panel Bricks Technic Parts
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Stonebriar Tea Light Candles, 200 Pack, White
• Amazon Business
$21.98
1
$21.98
BALSA ECONOMY BAG KIT
• School Specialty
$8.02
2
$16.04
LEGO 12pc Technic axle set (3M 4M 5M 8M 10M 12M Mindstorms nxt robot gear)
• Amazon Business
$7.48
2
$14.96
Cork Collection, 36/Pkg
• Amazon Business
$6.94
2
$13.88
Materials cost
$369.33
Vendor shipping charges
$14.49
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$5.54
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$419.36
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$74.00
Total project goal
$493.36
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$493.36
4 Donors
-$305.00
Donations toward project cost
-$259.25
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$45.75
match offer
-$188.36
Match offer toward project cost
-$160.11
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Hansen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.