With these funds, I will create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space where our students can thrive while they engage in STEM learning.                                                          

Our learning environment in Room 106 is spacious and well-suited to provide students with opportunities for independent exploration and small-group collaborative problem-solving. While the current furniture suits students in grades 3-6, I hope to purchase furniture and material storage that are accessible to our youngest learners. Investing in appropriately sized classroom furniture will support students by encouraging:

• Fine motor and sensory development - When a child’s feet are flat on the floor, the steady proprioceptive feedback lowers stress and signals to the brain that they are safe and stable.

• Independence and responsibility - When a preschooler can navigate a space without relying on an adult for basic physical navigation, they develop internal agency and a sense of responsibility for their surroundings.

• Social-emotional growth - When children sit comfortably at eye level with one another, their bodies relax, reducing anxiety and paving the way for cooperative relationships.

A well-designed physical environment fosters independence and agency, helping our smallest scientists confidently make sense of both the natural and man-made worlds.

Back Up Plan