STEM Teams Build Thinking Classrooms

School:: Palmetto Ridge High
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Michelle Joyce
Students Impacted:: 300
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 3, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Chuck & Corky Carlsen - $410.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 150

Thanks to the PRHS construction classes and Mr. Ed Wilson, we were able to maximize this grant by purchasing the building materials with the funds and then having the easels built in-house.

Students were able to have more engaged discussions and active participation when the surfaces were vertical (as shown by research and in my classroom).

We were able to take our classes to non-traditional spaces (in the courtyard, in the hallway) and still bring out workspaces with us.

Students were able to get up and move around the room and continue working, rather than being seated for six hours per day.

We are very grateful to our investors, Chuck & Corky Carlsen, and look forward to continuing to use these materials for many years to come.

grant photo

One of 9 easels built for our class (and others to

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Using the giant whiteboards horizontally while wai

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

To help high school mathematics and science students collaborate, communicate and develop problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills

What will be done with my students

Students will work in small groups to develop problem-solving skills and improved thinking strategies in math and science.
Due to windows and cupboards in my room, I do not have enough wall space to install more whiteboards around the room permanently. These free-standing and portable items allow increased flexibility to work around the room, outside the classroom for open-air learning, or the potential to be shared with other teachers.

Benefits to my students

Research has shown that groups of students working on vertical non-permanent surfaces (e.g. whiteboards) increases participation, communication, collaboration, visibility of thinking processes, and physiological health.
Providing these oversized whiteboards and materials to construct easels will allow for portable, free-standing boards that can be set up around the room for group work but moved out of the way for lab work or testing. These materials (other than the markers) will serve my students for 5-10 years and can be easily shared with other teachers and classrooms.

Budget Narrative

Buying these materials in bulk and building the easels saves significant cost to purchasing premade whiteboards and easels. Teacher will provide hardware for the construction. Our construction academy will help to build the easels.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	8 x 3 ft x 4 ft whiteboard panels	$130.00
2	4 packs white board markers	$40.00
3	24 x 1 in x 4 in x 8 ft boards	$240.00
	Total:	$410.00

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STEM Teams Build Thinking Classrooms

Investor

Impact to My Classroom

Original Grant Overview

Goal

What will be done with my students

Benefits to my students

Budget Narrative

Items

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