Engineering the future

Hello, Friends!

I'm very happy to officially announce that I am adopting an elementary school class! 

Yep, the entire class. Teacher as well. Taking them all home to live in a giant shoe.

Kidding! ( * hides the keys to a large shoe * )

So, here's the scoop. As of this post I am officially sponsoring The Engineering Kids of Garehime Elementary school in Las Vegas, Nevada. As their teacher describes them, The Engineering Kids are an amazing group of third grade students that work and design in 3D. They currently have three 3D printers in their classroom and through the class the students create their own projects. Those projects are important to the school itself as Garehime Elementary is a model city. Each class helps build and support this teaching city. Every class operates as a business or governmental agency in this city and as you can see in this NEWS CLIP it's a fascinating style of learning. Where was this kind of school when I wasting away collecting Garbage Pail Kids cards? Cool stuff, let's help!

HOW THIS CAME TO BE?

Great question? Did I randomly wake up and decide to help out a group of students learning to be the engineers that help design our future? Mmmm... kinda! However, the real connection, in the spirit of full disclosure, is that the teacher of this class is the wonderful Michelle Cox and she is my cousin. After a long, distinguished, and high ranking career in the food and drink service industry, this mother of two bright girls focused on an inspiring career change. She went into teaching and found herself at the head of this class. Upon learning of the full scope of what she is working to accomplish with this class, I was moved. She's helping to build the future through the exciting world of engineering and science. That's a cause I wanted to get behind. 

HOW TO HELP?

As many know, one of the great struggles of schools and teachers in the United States of America is the simple act of acquiring basic supplies for classes. Particularly for specialized class such as Mrs Cox' Engineering Kids class! Therefore donations of supplies and funds are a key and needed lifeblood to classrooms. 

Though this school year is ending, Michelle is continuing to do important work in advance of next year's class. This is includes volunteering to lead after school 3D design clubs and an engineering club for girls focused on developing future female engineers. 

The Engineering Kids have their own website: www.engineeringkids.net/  

From there you can send them supplies directly through an Amazon Wishlist.

You can donate directly to the cause of trying to get Chrome Books for next year's class at DonorsChose.org.

​BUT THERE IS MORE!

Throughout the school year, Michelle and I will be highlighting student-designed 3D projects via my social media accounts and this blog. I'll be posting pictures of the projects and you will even be able to purchase some of these projects to help raise even more funds for the Engineering Kids. By highlighting their own great work, our hope is that even more excitement for engineering, math, science, and education will bubble up in the students!

I hope you'll join me in helping to build up a small corner of our future through the power of engaging education. 

-- Ken Napzok, May 2018