Here's the thing. It can get expensive when teachers are trying to obtain STEM tools for students to use in the classroom. We get that, which is why we offer an Educator Discount because we believe firmly that cost should never stand in the way of a child getting the education they need. That being said, there are plenty of other ways to reduce the cost burdens that often come with tech purchasing and one of them is probably something you are already familiar with.
PTO's or Parent Teacher Organizations are helpful groups when it comes to adding supplies, technology, and more to the classroom. A lot of the time, teachers need to go through what can sometimes be a challenging approval process before they are permitted to spend money on classroom tools. The beautiful thing about PTO's is that they face no such obstacles. They are independent from the school when it comes to spending money on educational products.
To be honest, it's not all that surprising if you've never thought of utilizing this approach. Not many people realize it's possible. If you have a parent group as part of your school, however, it's definitely worth attending meetings and speaking with the president about them perhaps contributing to classroom tech spending. Nowadays, PTO's are acting as an avenue for teachers to request new technology and, thanks to a different set of rules, they're able to say 'yes' more often.
The way it works is actually very simple. Teachers can just approach their school's PTO and request some funds to use on purchasing technology for the classroom. If they can afford it, the PTO president will incorporate it into their yearly budget and the students will get the opportunity to try something new—so long as teachers can prove its value in learning. If not, PTO's are also very, very good at organizing school fundraisers, so try talking to the members about setting something up in which the proceeds will go towards buying new STEM tools for the classroom.
Now, it may not always be as simple as asking the PTO for some money and them immediately agreeing to give you some. They're going to make sure they're allocating their funds as efficiently as possible, just like everybody else. So, before approaching them, make sure you know the tech product, kit, or device you want to purchase. Have some clear-cut reasons why you want it, which grades it will be used in, how often it will be used, how many you need, how much it will cost in total, and if it requires any additional equipment, like batteries or devices.
It's also a very good idea to be able to clearly illustrate how this technology ties into educational standards and advances learning. Chances are that technology in the classroom will ignite increased excitement and engagement, but PTO's will be focused on ensuring that it meets requirements as well. Teachers should also research how the tech will directly benefit their students, so they can convey this to members of the PTO when asked. Perhaps you're looking to boost engagement as we said, or maybe you're looking to introduce more real world-relevant skills, like coding. It could even potentially help students with various challenges learn more efficiently. Just be sure there are clear and legitimate reasons for this tool entering the classroom.
Besides all that, it would be helpful to have an example of the product itself to show to the PTO. If you can show how easy it is and outline its learning benefits, this will definitely increase your chances of PTO's funding classroom technology (online videos are a great way to do this). You will want to show that it can help students learn key skills, keep them engaged, and enhance the overall learning environment.
Now that you know that PTO's could be a very useful resource for you, start doing some research on the best tech products for your students. Remember to consider their age, abilities, and interests when poking around and feel free to give us a call at 1 (877) 252-0001 or shoot us an email to sales@eduporium.com if you have any questions! The best part is that, once you're approved, you can purchase from us and use an Educator Discount, so that could definitely work in your favor, too!