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Project Goal

Robotics has broad applications across many fields of engineering, including mechanical engineering. It involves the design, construction, and maintenance of various mechanical systems based on the principles of simple machines. My students explore concepts of motion and forces and how they influence the behavior of objects. The goal of this grant is to provide hands-on activities that enable students to observe and understand motion, forces, and both simple and complex machines in action. The K’NEX kits provide the framework for learning through play. Since they are to be used for years to come, LEGO Technic kits are built by the students and displayed in the classroom as a visual reminder of the lessons they learned in class. 

 

Category

Class Furniture - Carpets, choral risers, transitional seating/desks, etc. 

 

How Project Benefits Students

K'NEX offers excellent building blocks for differentiated learning. My students receive instructions for building simple machines, but for those who finish early, the kits also encourage creativity as they can create other structures through play. This flexibility allows me to spend more time supporting students who may struggle with written instructions or have less experience with building and construction.
The K'NEX kits provide hands-on activities that connect directly to our lessons on simple machines, including levers, screws, wheels and axles, pulleys, wedges, and inclined planes. The activities are engaging even when they present a challenge to students who are not familiar with construction toys. Building and testing designs is a key aspect of robotics, making these activities an essential foundation for students as they begin to explore and understand the principles of robotics.
I teach at a Title I school where over 90% of my students come from low-income households, and 36% of our students live in motels or attend school under hardship circumstances. The mission of a Title I school is to offer fair and equitable access to high-quality education for disadvantaged students. Due to the socioeconomic challenges my students face, they often lack access to skill-based learning opportunities and hands-on experiences. The K'NEX kits will help bridge this gap, providing a valuable resource for skill-building and exploration that these students might not otherwise have. Since the K’NEX kits will be used across many classes they have to be disassembled between use which is why I have added LEGO Technic that the students can build and display as a reminder of the lesson. Given the high number of students that live in substandard housing, they don’t get the opportunity to display the items they have created. Their LEGO Technic builds will be displayed on top of the cabinets in the classroom where they can be proud of what they have made.
 

 

Expected Outcome(s)

This grant aims to create a fair and equitable learning environment by providing my students with the opportunity to explore mechanical engineering concepts through hands-on play. With 20 K'NEX kits, students will learn about the six simple machines—lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw—in a way that is both engaging and educational. To measure the impact, students will take a pre-test before starting the unit and a post-test after using the kits. This will allow us to assess their understanding and confirm that they can apply their knowledge by building functional simple machines.

The K'NEX kits will benefit multiple classes throughout the year and can be reused annually, making them a long-lasting resource. However, because the models built during class must be disassembled, students do not have the chance to enjoy their creations long-term. To address this, the grant also includes a few LEGO Technic kits that students can build together. These models will be displayed on top of the classroom cabinets, serving as a visual reminder of their accomplishments. This display fosters a sense of pride and recognition, helping to build a sense of belonging and self-worth among students, especially those who may not have the opportunity to see their achievements displayed at home.
 

 

Detailed Cost Summary

The list is located at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/RWTMLRF1UK7L?ref_=wl_share 

 

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