Teacher going Full STEAM Ahead

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WILMINGTON — All teachers want the best for their students and will do whatever it takes to see that through.

Mrs. McGee’s students certainly see that this year.

Ciara McGee, a preschool intervention specialist at East End Elementary, started a fundraising campaign on the website Donorschoose.org to raise money to buy projects for her class. Within a matter of days, she reached her goal and then some.

“(Donorschoose.org) support public schools and the projects that they have,” said McGee. “They partner with local businesses and companies who then give you a funding partner. So, I wrote up the project and they matched me up with PNC Grow Up Great who doubled all the donations I received.”

McGee’s project, titled “Full STEAM Ahead,” was hoping reach to $351.66 to buy items that would help incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into her classroom.

The items include liquid discovery tubes, a magnet kit, an Engineer-A-Coaster Activity Kit, magnetic wands, and two STEM Science Stations — one about motion, the other about sinking and floating — all meant to help the students become problem-solvers.

McGee got the idea after fellow pre-school teacher Jamie Bryant put up a project and managed to reach her goal of more than $1,400 in about a week.

“I was finding little things around the house we could use like cotton balls, tooth picks or Play-Doh to come up with my own ideas. But when I saw Donorschoose.org I thought I’d try it out and see what happens,” said McGee.

She describes the success as instant and happening almost overnight. She saw donations come in from members of the community that she didn’t know.

“I feel so blessed that the community and people who I know here shared it. It feels so awesome to see people willing to give so quickly and to support all my students,” she said.

Even though the final goal was reached, McGee was still receiving donations come in reaching $150. McGee intends to use that to fund future projects and maybe a field trip.

Ciara McGee, right (and her future student Hayden Nace) play an activity together during an open house event on Monday.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_DSC_0508-cropped.jpgCiara McGee, right (and her future student Hayden Nace) play an activity together during an open house event on Monday. John Hamilton | News Journal

By John Hamilton

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Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574

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