At Pipkin Middle School, a $3,571 Grant SPS investment in new 3D printers is transforming STEM education for 500 students. Spearheaded by Special Education teacher Sarah Yates, this technology is driving high-level classroom engagement, academic grit, and school-wide wellness. 
The hands-on tools are rapidly turning frustration into perseverance. When McKenzie’s intricate wolf ornament design repeatedly failed to print, she adjusted her digital model five separate times until it succeeded. For another student, Kayla, the autonomy to design a custom travel chess set completely transformed her from a disengaged student into an enthusiastic, active participant.
The printers also serve as a powerful real-time incentive. Student Raedyn Klingensmith shared, “I think 3D printing does encourage me to do more work since it acts like a fun reward… it makes me want to get my work done faster so I can do the fun things.” Beyond academic motivation, students partnered with school counselors to print specialized sensory fidgets for peers experiencing emotional distress.
When you fund a Grant SPS project, you aren’t just buying equipment. You are funding the resilience a student builds when troubleshooting a failure, the spark that turns a classroom around, and the empathy built when STEM students support a classmate’s mental health. Donate today at www.SupportSPS.org/GrantSPS.
