Teacher: Cynthia M. Ritacco
School: Lake County Elementary School
District: Lake County School District
District Website: https://lakecountyschools.net/
School Address: 130 West 12th St. Leadville CO 80461
Grade Level: Pre-K through 2nd Grade - STEM
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: All Hands on Deck-STEM journey
Category: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Amount Requested: $1450

Project Description:
Our STEM program is fairly new. STEM was cut to half time this year because of budgeting and enrollment. They should not be denied this amazing chance for creativity. STEM will be mandatory in every school soon. We need tools to be creative and help us think out of the box. Learning should be fun! Learning IS fun! Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,200 ft. If I may say," We live up in God's heavens." Our Elementary School PRE-2 is approx. 210 students. My students and I LOVE STEM. Students of all abilities are taught there is no wrong way. If something doesn't work, we try again. Explore, build, create, and feel GREAT about yourself. They strengthen Math, Literacy, and Mental skills. Students that struggle to succeed in other academics excel in STEM. Help me create a successful classroom for my students!!!

Project Justification:
I hope to bring to my classroom robotics right now. Students from PreK - 2nd grade need different levels of tools. Robotics is a key component of STEM. Using a hands-on way and making learning an interactive and fun way to be themselves, use their own imagination, and feel good! By building and working with robots, students engage with each other, with science, technology, engineering, and math in an exciting way. Whether they become a blue-collar worker, doctor, lawyer, entrepreneur, or homemaker, we are giving them a chance to explore with self-confidence. I tell them the sky is not the limit! It's outer space.

Budget Breakdown:
I have PreK through 2nd Grade. Each grade level will have the robotics matched to their age or ability. Starting at the easiest level and able to grow, be challenged, and keep moving up, developing their critical thinking skills. It is so important to have this available to kids.

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