Editor’s note: This is an occasional spotlight on local fundraising campaigns in need of a boost. The money might be needed for medical expenses, art projects, educational pursuits, religious missions, neighborhood efforts, entrepreneurial visions or for other reasons. Together, our dollars can make a difference — locally (disclaimer: as always, give at your own risk). Send spotlight suggestions to Molly Guthrey at mguthrey@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5505.
Title: “STEM for them!”
Created by: Megan Ambrosius
Background: The 2015-16 school year has just wrapped up, but St. Paul Public Schools teacher Megan Ambrosius is already planning for the 2016-17 school year: This fall, Ambrosius will be a new teacher at John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School in St. Paul; she will work with children in pre-kindergarten through second grade.
Ambrosius’ students: The teacher describes her students as “some of the most vulnerable learners in our district …. 92 percent of our families qualify for free and reduced price lunch and 6 percent of our families suffer from chronic homelessness. But even with all these odds stacked against our students, they are resilient … as their teacher, (I) want to be able to provide all I can in educating them and guiding them into finding answers to their own questions to create lifelong learners.”
How we can help: “Our classroom is in need of materials that help us explore the wide world of science, technology, engineering and math,” writes Ambrosius at her campaign at DonorsChoose.org, a fundraising platform for teachers.
“With these materials, my students will be able to have a year round math center, engineering center and science center they can access in our classroom during our active play time — where they can dive deeper into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) work. These materials will be used for exploring life cycles, learning how to observe as scientists with our microscope, as well as learning how to critically think by creating houses, bridges and more with our multiple building kits.”
Where your money will go: Ambrosius’ shopping list includes a microscope, various building kits, a science lab set, a life-cycle sequencing set and more.
Fund-raising goal: $1,755
Funds raised at press time: $470
Deadline: Ambrosius will only receive her classroom materials if this project is fully funded by Sep 23.
Info/giving: Learn more about Ambrosius’ campaign, view her specific wish list and donate at https://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/3618956/?active=true