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This teacher needs your help!

Mr. Spafford from Chicago, IL is requesting educational kits & games through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mr. Spafford is requesting

Ready, Set, Robotics!

Help me give my students the materials they need to learn computer programming, engineering, and hands-on skills like soldering and circuitry.

  • $1,707 goal

Hooray! This project is fully funded

Hooray! This project is fully funded

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My Students

My students come from a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago with a high degree of poverty and economic disparity. Students often struggle to obtain the resources and support necessary for their learning. Despite this, they are hard workers and are willing to step up to the challenges of design and programming. They are eager to learn and participate in afterschool programs such as robotics and science fair.

My Project

Our Robotics club is currently taking part in FIRST Lego League and MATE ROV Competitions. We have participated in the Lego Competition for four years. Currently, we have only 2 robots. This is not enough for each student to have adequate time building and programming. I want to expand the materials available to our students in order to increase their exposure to computer programming and foster hands-on skills like soldering and circuitry.

By funding this project, we will have the necessary materials for all students to gain experience in computer programming and the engineering design process while building skills like soldering and circuitry.

Many of my students are so excited to begin Robotics Club after a year of remote learning and I believe these additional materials will mean a more engaging experience for club members this year. The soldering irons, practice kits, and snap circuit sets will allow all students the chance to learn soldering and circuit building to prepare to build their MATE remotely operated vehicle. The LEGO Mindstorms Robotics kit, the Makey Makey Kits, and the Sphero Little Bits kit will be used to expose students to computer programming in Scratch and Python in an engaging and meaningful way.

When we are finished with competitions this year, these materials will be used in Robotics club and in my classroom for years to come to in order to give students exposure to robotics, coding, and engineering.

Mr. Spafford John Foster Dulles Elementary School Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

More about Mr. Spafford

Chicago, IL 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

100 students impacted 8donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Sphero littleBits STEAM+ Kit - Engage up to 3 Students - 40+ Hours of Standard Aligned Lessons - Electronics & Coding Lessons • Amazon Business $399.00 1 $399.00
LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor Building Set 51515; STEM Model Robot Toy for Creative Kids with Remote Control Model Robots; Inspiring Code and Control Edutainment Fun, New 2020 (949 Pieces) • Amazon Business $359.95 1 $359.95
Makey Makey an Invention Kit for Everyone from JoyLabz - Hands-on Technology Learning Fun for Kids - STEM Toy - 1000s of Educational Engineering and Computer Coding Activities - Ages 8 and Up • Amazon Business $49.95 3 $149.85
Soldering Station, Professional 2.9" LED Digital Soldering Iron Station Kit with 356℉-896℉ Adjustable Temperature, Password Lock, ESD Safe, 5 Extra Tips, Solder Wire, Tweezers, Tip Cleaner • Amazon Business $39.99 3 $119.97
Elenco Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750 Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 750 Projects | Full Color Project Manual | 80+ Snap Circuits Parts | STEM Educational Toy For Kids 8+ • Amazon Business $103.73 1 $103.73
Snap Circuits 203 Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 200 STEM Projects | 4-Color Project Manual | 42 Snap Modules | Unlimited Fun • Amazon Business $39.99 1 $39.99
AUSTOR 6 Pack 60-40 Rosin Core Solder, Solder Wire Tin Lead Electrical Soldering Tools Diameter 0.8mm, 20g • Amazon Business $11.99 3 $35.97
NEIKO 01902 Adjustable Helping Hand With Magnifying Glass on Solid Heavy Base | Soldering Stand with Dual Alligator Clips • Amazon Business $10.99 3 $32.97
Learn to Solder Kits Hue Soldering Kit | DIY Electronics Projects For Beginners | Practice For Adults & Kids STEM Classes & Events | Science Project Electronic RGB LED Light Circuit Board With Battery • Amazon Business $13.99 2 $27.98
Learn to Solder Kits Jitterbug Soldering Kit | DIY Electronics Projects For Beginners | Adults & Kids STEM Practice Science Project | Electronic Vibration Motor Circuit Boards With Battery • Amazon Business $13.99 2 $27.98
Gikfun Electronic LED Flashing Lights Soldering Practice Board PCB DIY Kit EK1874 • Amazon Business $11.98 2 $23.96
Gikfun 3D Xmas Tree Led DIY Kits 7 Color Flash Circuit LED EK1697 • Amazon Business $11.98 2 $23.96
DIY Solder Project Game Kit with 5 Retro Classic Games for Electronic Soldering Practice and Learning, Comfortable Acrylic Case and Handheld Size, Ideal Gift for Family and Friends by VOGURTIME • Amazon Business $19.99 1 $19.99
Gikfun Electronic Hourglass led DIY Kits Welding Practice Board Blue Ray EK1886 • Amazon Business $9.68 2 $19.36
Etoput 4x4x4 LED 3D Light Cube, DIY Soldering Practice Project Electronics Learning Kit for Beginners • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99

Materials cost

$1,399.65

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$20.99

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$1,450.64

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$256.00

Total project goal

$1,706.64

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $1,706.64

8 Donors

-$1,044.00

Donations toward project cost

-$902.40

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$141.60

match offer

-$644.99

Match offer toward project cost

-$548.24

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$96.75

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$17.65

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

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

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