Slauson sixth graders create and donate puzzle cubes to Mott Children’s Hospital

For Kim Jaster, who teaches the PLTW Design and Modeling class, these humanitarian “Puzzles with Purpose” lessons are among the most important

At Slauson Middle School, Kim Jaster’s Design and Modeling class has again turned a STEAM curriculum project into a humanitarian effort. The sixth-grade students have created puzzle cubes to donate to Mott Children’s Hospital, transforming a technical learning experience into an act of kindness.

Jaster says that throughout her career, she’s found that some of the most important lessons to her students are the humanitarian ones that deal with doing something for the betterment of society. 

“Donating to the hospital introduces the students to the idea that there really is a way to engineer, design and build something that can benefit society,” says Jaster. “The long-term goal is to continue the journey of making a difference by gaining proceeds and donations from “Puzzles with Purpose.” 

The puzzle came from the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum developed by Project Lead The Way as part of the 6th grade Design and Modeling class. 

Students first learn isometric drawing techniques, where they sketch objects from multiple perspectives. Students then progress to creating prototypes using linking cubes, challenging themselves to design increasingly complex puzzles.

“The kids make the pieces of the puzzle themselves; in their eyes the more difficult, the better,” says Jaster.  “My students love teasing me because I have such a hard time solving them! After the prototype is finished, I give them wooden blocks to make the real puzzle.  They glue them together, color them, and make a box that matches the theme of the art done on the puzzle.”

They collaborate with the school’s art teacher to design themed boxes that accompany each unique puzzle. A special touch is the “student insert”—a sheet introducing each puzzle’s creator, sharing their hobbies and future aspirations.

The class sells the puzzles for $10 each, with proceeds going directly to supporting young patients. In 2019, they collected $200, and they’re preparing to continue this meaningful tradition in 2024.