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This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Ballou from Henrico, VA is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Ballou is requesting

Learning Comes to Life With Legos

My students need engineering tools such as Makey Makey invention kits, Lego bricks, and safety googles to integrate their STEM learning.

  • $717 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Ballou for her next project!

Help Mrs. Ballou

Keep the momentum going! Make a donation to Mrs. Ballou for her next project!

My Students

I am lucky to have the opportunity to work in a Gifted Zone Center where I teach math and science to 4th and 5th graders. This is a wonderful opportunity because I get to loop with my students. Recently our school was Title I. In my classroom I struggle with having enough supplies for each student to have an authentic hands-on learning opportunity.

My students are spunky, inquisitive, and hardworking.

Some of my students travel up to 30 minutes on the bus each morning. Talk about commitment to learning! Our program pulls students from five surrounding school zones as well as our own. This means I have a very diverse group of learners including those with 504s, IEPs, and English language learners. Each of my students come to school with an open-mind and work hard daily to push themselves academically.

My Project

While on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach we came across a museum featuring, "The Art of the Brick" by Nathan Sawaya. I was immediately enthralled in how Sawaya used what we think of as a kid's toy to build art. His art pieces and documentary were phenomenal and inspired me to bring his ideas into my own classroom.

The Makey Makey invention kits and Lego bricks will allow my students to build their own projects and bring them to life right before their eyes.

Imagine a robot walking around our classroom, a piano made from Legos playing in the background as students are hard at work, or a treat dispenser for their pet. The Makey Makey invention kits would allow my students to do this and more! Overall my students are incredibly creative, but sometimes students need a starting point, so the books that have been requested will give them a jumping point to get their juices flowing.

An added bonus to Legos? They are not just used for science and building, but can also help us with our math instruction. Their different shapes will allow us to dive into fractions, measures of central tendency, probability, and more!

Who would have thought a little brick could be so diverse? We can't wait to be able to implement all of these aspects into our classroom!

Mrs. Ballou Maude Trevvett Elementary School Grades 3-5

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 Mrs. Ballou

Henrico, VA View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

45 students impacted 7donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Ballou is requesting.

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Makey Makey - An Invention Kit for Everyone • Amazon Business $49.95 4 $199.80
LEGO Large Creative Box 10697 • Amazon Business $122.95 1 $122.95
Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750 Electronics Discovery Kit, Standard Packing • Amazon Business $83.99 1 $83.99
Building Bricks - Regular Colors - 1,000 Pieces - Compatible with Legos • Amazon Business $34.97 1 $34.97
Gateway Safety 4699 StarLite Gumballs Safety Glasses, Clear Lens, All Colors Included (Pack of 10) • Amazon Business $13.58 2 $27.16
The Unofficial Guide to Learning with Lego®: 100+ Inspiring Ideas (Lego Ideas) • Amazon Business $24.95 1 $24.95
Sterilite 16428012 6 Quart/5.7 Liter Storage Box, White Lid with Clear Base, 12-Pack • Amazon Business $23.15 1 $23.15
Building Brick Base Plates - Green 10 Pack of 5" x 5" Baseplates - Compatible with Legos and All Major Building Block Toys • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
Building Brick Base Plates - Blue 10 Pack of 5" x 5" Baseplates - Compatible with Lego and All Major Building Block Toys • Amazon Business $17.99 1 $17.99
The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn • Amazon Business $17.47 1 $17.47

Materials cost

$570.42

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.56

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$608.98

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$107.47

Total project goal

$716.45

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $716.45

5 Donors

-$715.04

Donations toward project cost

-$608.98

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$106.06

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$1.41

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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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. Ballou and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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