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Only $949.00 Needed

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Goal

My goal is for all our students to take part in our school-wide PBIS goals with rewards and recognition. We will use creativity and collaboration to design and engineer projects to promote our school motto SWIM. Safety first, Work hard, Interact Kindly and Make Good Choices. We can use the laser cutter for various projects throughout the school year in a variety of ways. 

What will be done with my students

Our students at Cypress Creek Elementary are exposed to many opportunities through the world around them in our STEM special area rotation. CCESTEM's mission is to help children create, use the design process, and work toward common goals through collaboration. We are building boats from pool noodles and toothpicks to understanding how to use the Microsoft suite in creating reports and presentations to finding our passion or spark to create a tangible representation. With technology constantly evolving there is a new affordable way to use a laser cutter and engraver to be used in the classroom. The xTool M1 Smart Laser Engraver and Vinyl Cutter will allow our students to design on paper, interact with software, and create tangible prototypes. Our school has used personal accountablility to gain Otter Bucks where students can shop in the school store weekly. Our students can now create items for the store to offer in exchange for Otter Bucks. We can personalize rewards, trophies, signs, pencils and so much more from student ideas for students.
By using a laser cutter, students can explore design, engineering, and mathematical principles, fostering their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Students can use laser cutters to create intricate and precise art projects, enabling them to explore their creativity and express their ideas visually. Laser cutters allow students to engage in hands-on learning, making abstract concepts more tangible. They can create physical models, puzzles, and prototypes, bringing their ideas to life and gaining a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
With the laser cutters you can design and without hesitation literally make it in front of you within minutes. We would use the laser cutter and engraver for a variety of projects.

In the Spring every grade level explores life science through a variety of Florida's science standards. We would use the xTool M1 Smart Laser Engraver and Vinyl Cutter to create animal habitats from their designs from our Pre-K students, kindergarteners and first graders. Students would need to think about the animal needs and necessary elements to add to the habitat to ensure their animal survives weather and earth patterns. Our second grade students would design an animal life cycle and we would use those to create a puzzle to explain their learning. They would have a tangible piece of their learning to share. For our third and fourth grade students we would use animal classification to create an animal complete with characteristics made from their designs. Throughout the year these projects would be shared with our fifth graders to remind and reinforce learning. Our fifth graders are held accountable for all the science standards from kindergarten to fourth grade in addition to assigned standards for fifth. Yet if they are new to our state they might have a missing piece of the standards they are responsible for learning. These projects throughout the year in STEM will expose them to the standards and get them collaborating with one another on how they can improve upon a design and bring it to life.

SC.2.L.17.2 Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.
SC.2.L.16.1 Observe and describe major stages in the life cycles of plants and animals, including beans and butterflies.
SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
 

Benefits to my students

It would allow them to bring their visions to life with intricate designs, detailed patterns, and personalized creations that were once beyond their reach. This tool would foster teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills as students experiment, iterate, and refine their designs.

I know there are so many things within this grant proposal. That in itself is why I see the value and versatility in this project. I want to share this with all of the students at Cypress Creek Elementary. Thank you for your consideration. 

Budget Narrative

I will use the funds to purchase the laser cutter and engraver. I will ask for donations and use personal funds to purchase materials to build with students. 

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