STEM certification: Tiny House, Big Dreams
By Teachers: Dawn Caldwell, Sandy Hemphill, Maggie Porto. Jordan Donegan, and Polly Baron
As part of Elm Street’s 2015 journey to STEM certification, we asked the then fourth graders which problem they would like to solve as their project. The students, having recently read, Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, decided they wanted to help homeless people. We asked, “What will you do to help?” They answered, “They need a house. We’ll build one.” The students then chose to build the house for a veteran. “Everyone deserves a house, but our veterans have given us so much by their sacrifice,” said Rosenda Cux Chun. She added, “It may be a tiny house, but this is bigger than all of us.” We teachers were taken aback since none of us knew how we were going to accomplish this big dream. The students, however, never doubted the outcome. “We would be able to help people in need suffering in this cold weather,” recollects Michelle Guzman.
We started by researching and reaching out for help. Elvis Summers, founder of Startinghuman.Org has built many tiny houses for the homeless of Los Angeles. We were able to do a Google Hangout with him and ask questions. Brooklyn Gibson remembers, “My favorite thing about building the tiny house was that everybody had a part to take place in building the tiny house.” Our design committee designed the house and drew plans based on our tallest fourth grader (who was taller than the teachers)! Our 3D team then printed 3D models of possible designs. The students voted on their favorite. The researchers found the quantity and type of supplies needed.
Our finance committee was in charge of the donations that trickled in from the students and teachers. When it was time to shop, we planned a Saturday field trip to Lowes. “My favorite memory was getting together and buying the stuff at Lowes. We used mathematics and science,” described Rezyriah Foster. All the way to Lowes, I kept asking God to bless the donation jar because I knew we did not have enough money. Some teachers and students shopped while the rest asked for donations as shoppers came in. Thanks to some Lowes donations and their generous shoppers, we were able to get our supplies and leave with the jar fuller than it was when we came.
Our construction crew started building the 4’x8’ shelter. “I loved it when I built, it made me feel like I had a job,” recalls Mayeco Portuguez. We used research and real-world problem solving to build the tiny house. After the base coat of paint was applied, each fourth grade student and teacher “put his handprint on the tiny house to represent the people that made it,” recalls Michelle Guzman.
We worked with John Kernohan’s United Tiny House Organization, The Augusta Warrior Project to find a veteran in need. John and the owners/operators of Ooh La La Lavender Farms, along with many other business sponsors, moved the tiny house, built onto it, and hosted the festival to which we were invited. “My favorite part [of the tiny house experience] was when we gifted the tiny house to the homeless veteran and his wife,” remembers Cami Connell. Francisca Mejia adds,“When I went to the festival, I felt so proud of myself because the veteran and his wife were happy that I broke into tears.” The first house was awarded to Mr. Eddie Browning and his wife, Cindy. The couple was also brought to tears, as Mr. Browning was amazed that “a group of kids wanted to do this for us.” As Francisca Mejia said, “All the time and love we put into the tiny house was worth something.”
We are now building our second tiny home. It is four times as big as the first, measuring at 8’x16’. This one will be large enough to include a bed/ couch and a small kitchen. We also are hoping to include a compost toilet, outside shower, and rainwater sink. The dream has gotten bigger! Brooklyn Gibson states, “We started this journey and then the kids that are behind us are carrying on that tradition of kindness.” This house is being funded by an educational grant, as well as a very generous donation from the McCann Family Foundation. It is now framed and roofed. We hope to have it dried in soon, and ready for the festival in the spring of 2018. If you would like to donate to our Tiny House, Big Dreams cause, please send a check to Elm Kids Construction at Elm Street Elementary, 8 S. Elm St., Rome, GA 30165.
From a teacher’s point of view, I would like to add that as rewarding as teaching is, the tiny house journey is even more rewarding. I’m not sure who benefited more from the experience --the fourth grade teachers, the students, or the couple who received the house. This is the house that Elm Kids Built, but it’s also the house that built us.
WEDNESDAY, December 20, 2017