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Goal

Initial assessments identified 81.25% of my students as “Below Standard” in Mathematics, while an informal poll of the same students showed Science as their favorite subject to date. I feel my students would greatly benefit from the introduction of a STEM program (Science – Technology – Engineering – Mathematics) that could capitalize on their current interests while creating a well-rounded educational experience that could improve Math scores in the process.

My goal is to establish a classroom “STEM Center” to help prepare students to work towards answering a variety of life’s dilemmas through observing problems, asking questions, making sense of issues and persevering to solve them. Students will work individually and collaboratively designing, building and testing working machines and structures through a wide variety of hand-on activities.  

What will be done with my students

Each of my 16 students will be assigned STEM-focused tasks to complete in our lab twice a week. Working individually, in pairs or in groups of four (depending on the challenge before them), students will be charged with running an "experiment": discovering, designing, building and testing their efforts in various disciplines. Upon completion, they will share their creations and findings with the rest of the class!
Because I intend to introduce specific units monthly (nature, magnets, robots, etc.) the materials in this grant should provide a full year's worth of fun, educational activities. 

Benefits to my students

The fulfillment of this grant will provide the essentials to encourage my students to be creative in varied activities -applying core skills in multiple disciplines in the process. Working together, my 16 students will experiment, observe and use critical thinking to conclude the challenge, supporting their natural curiosity and desire to learn by giving them rich and meaningful teachable moments.
I fully expect the outcome of 100% of my full-year students "meeting expectations" in Mathematics by year end.
Because I readily share materials with other teachers in our school, the purchase of these items could impact as many as 144 students this year. I have carefully selected core, durable materials, so it is impossible to predict the total number of students this grant could ultimately impact throughout the years! Our future is in my classroom today! 

Budget Narrative

Through this grant I am requesting the essential, age-appropriate materials required to establish a STEM Lab in our classroom. This includes stations in nature exploration, water study, magnets, chain reactions, gears, robotics and general engineering. The potential center designated in our room allows sufficient space to carry out the challenges and offers protection for longer-term projects. Because the counter in this area is slightly higher than our traditional tables, I am also requesting 4 counter-height stools that will also lend to a genuine "lab" feel! 

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