Desiree Burggraaf at Ben Reifel Middle School will use $1,999.16 for her proposal, “Makerbot to the Rescue.”

Desiree will purchase a 3D printer, filament bundles, and 3D software that will be used by 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the RISE Program. In the application, she wrote, “The 3D printer will give students a hands-on, immersive experience by allowing them to be the innovator and bringing their ideas to life as something tangible. Abstract thinking can be difficult for students with cognitive impairments and autism, and this would allow them to see how their creativity can come to life. It will also pave the way for them to have future vocational opportunities in the areas of robotics and STEM. Using this technology, students can create fidgets and sensory tools that can be utilized in the classroom daily when they are practicing self-regulation strategies.”