School Name:Seacrest Country Day School - Lower School
Grant Request Grade:K-5
Grant Request Subject:Science
Additional Details
The following are projected goals for this project:
-Utilize the Engineering Design Process to iteratively design, test, analyze, and refine their ideas.
-Engage with cutting-edge tools via regular integration of 3D printing in the classroom.
-Connect scientific principles directly to realistic engineering challenges.
-Exhibit proficiency in core science objectives through immersive, project-based coursework.
-Build vital personal skills, including inventive thinking, critical analysis, teamwork, and resilience.
By empowering students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems, science becomes truly meaningful. To support this, this project aims to acquire consumable materials for roughly 120 Lower School students. These supplies will enable them to engage in immersive engineering design challenges at the end of each unit, while maximizing the educational value of our classroom's Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer.
Every science unit, from first through fifth grade, concludes with a hands-on STEM project where students leverage the Engineering Design Process to design, build, test, evaluate, and refine their solutions. By integrating both student-designed and teacher-created 3D-printed elements into these projects, students gain genuine, practical experience with modern manufacturing and engineering technologies.
Although inquiry, engineering, and problem-solving are central to our science curriculum, high-quality project materials are rapidly depleted as the school year progresses. Students can already construct authentic prototypes and scientific models using the classroom's Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer. Instead of acquiring new equipment, this grant will support the consumable materials needed to maintain printer operations, such as PLA filament, replacement nozzles, build plate supplies, and maintenance resources, and provide the engineering and craft supplies students need to complete their end-of-unit STEM challenges.
Funding these consumable supplies guarantees that all students will have access to enriching, hands-on science activities that cultivate creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Through this project, approximately 120 Lower School students will participate in meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences that enhance their scientific comprehension through authentic engineering challenges. Rather than learning concepts exclusively from a textbook, students will apply their knowledge directly by designing, constructing, testing, and refining solutions to real-world problems at the conclusion of each unit.
As they navigate the Engineering Design Process, students will build essential skills in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and perseverance. By evaluating their results, implementing modifications, and perfecting their designs using evidence, they will discover that failure is a constructive element of the learning process.
Integrating the classroom's Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer will introduce students to the advanced design and manufacturing technologies utilized in contemporary STEM careers. Students will have the opportunity to generate and apply 3D-printed components and models that elevate their projects, transforming abstract scientific concepts into concrete, engaging experiences.
Crucially, this grant guarantees that every student receives equitable access to premium project materials, enabling all learners to fully engage in hands-on investigations regardless of financial barriers. By the end of the school year, students will have finished multiple engineering design challenges that solidify their scientific understanding while fostering the confidence, problem-solving skills, and curiosity required for future success in STEM fields.
The requested $1,300 will be used to purchase consumable STEM project materials and 3D printing supplies that directly support end-of-unit engineering design challenges for approximately 120 Lower School science students.
-$750 – Consumable STEM Project Materials: Cardboard, foam board, craft wood, modeling clay, adhesives, tape, paint, cups, tubing, filters, magnets, LEDs, batteries, wire, motors, and other engineering supplies used by students to design, build, test, and improve solutions during hands-on science projects.
-$300 – PLA Filament: Multiple colors of PLA filament for the classroom's existing Bambu Lab P1S 3D printer. Filament will be used to print teacher-created instructional models as well as student-designed components that enhance engineering challenges and scientific investigations.
-$150 – 3D Printer Maintenance Supplies: Replacement nozzles, build plate adhesive, silicone socks, cleaning supplies, and other maintenance items necessary to keep the printer operating safely and reliably throughout the school year.
-$100 – Organization and Reusable Classroom Supplies: Storage bins, organizers, and replacement reusable tools that support efficient classroom management and allow project materials to be used across multiple grade levels.
All requested materials will be used directly by students during standards-aligned science instruction and will support multiple end-of-unit STEM projects throughout the school year.
