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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. DeBois from Astoria, NY is requesting computers & tablets through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. DeBois is requesting

Engineering Martian Colonies

My students need computer mice to help design a 3D model of a self-sustaining Martian colony!

  • $445 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. DeBois for his next project!

Help Mr. DeBois

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mr. DeBois for his next project!

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

My Students

"This is more exciting than video games!" An unexpected comment from a student engaged in 3D design. The problem to solve? Find a new home for humanity. Our student-researchers realized Earth's carrying capacity for humans was fast approaching. Their solution? Colonize space itself. Their task? Build a 3D-printed model of a space settlement in low-Mars-orbit. Close to the asteroid belt, Mars was a perfect solution to our growing demand for mineral resources. Their audience? NASA scientists and engineers who would judge the feasibility of their settlement.

"What if NASA actually likes our ideas?" This was exactly what I wanted them to ask.

The "What ifs" are essential to our practice here, not just the "How does" or "What is" inquires. We capitalize on the diversity in our classrooms, wanting students from all backgrounds to search for answers and generate ideas together to solve one fundamental problem at a time. We are a colorful school with a broad mix of cultural and racial identities. Our classrooms are filled with students from mostly low- and mid-SES families. Two of our four classes are ICT, while the others are inclusion, partnered with local D75 schools. We believe in progress through diversity.

My Project

Why is 3D design important in middle school? How does it benefit our students socially, emotionally, and neurologically? And why are computer mice so important for our class 3D projects?

Creative STEM innovators, responsible digital citizens, and motivated learners.

3D design allows our students to pull from their imagination and create it on a screen. It encourages creativity, ingenuity, and collaboration. The joy a student experiences as their dreams come to life on a screen is unlike anything I've seen before in a classroom.

So why computer mice? There's nothing more frustrating than trying to manipulate a complex, three-dimensional object on a screen with a small two-by-two inch touchpad. Resizing a hexagon to align with its neighboring polygon is next to impossible with a touchpad... and I ask my 11 and 12-year-olds to do this almost every day. And they do because engagement and joy are high. But using a mouse makes a world of difference, especially to students who are low in technological literacy or struggle with fine motor control.

Our students are doing spectacular work. Your contribution would help us bring the level of their 3D designs up even further. Thank you for your consideration!

Mr. DeBois Hunters Point Community Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

At this school, more than 50% of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American, and more than 50% come from low-income households. Learn how your donation to this school supports a more equitable education.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mr. DeBois

Astoria, NY View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

120 students impacted 9donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Microsoft - Mouse • Best Buy Education $9.80 25 $245.00
Microsoft Compact Optical Mouse 500 - mouse - USB - black • Best Buy Education $9.78 10 $97.80

Materials cost

$342.80

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.14

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$377.94

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$66.70

Total project goal

$444.64

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $444.64

6 Donors

-$234.82

Donations toward project cost

-$199.60

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$35.22

Matching donations from our partners

-$209.81

Match offers toward project cost

-$178.34

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$31.47

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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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 Mr. DeBois and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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