Lend a hand 200

Are you a DIY-er?

Download the FREE project overview for a summary of each lesson and enough information to get started on your own.

Don’t have time for DIY?

USE US! We’ve curated and collected everything you need to bring this project to life. Purchase the project for $60 and get immediate lifetime access to the extensive online resources AND get supplies shipped to your door.

Many schools are supporting teachers in the purchase of Blue Apple projects. Here’s a handy Admin Request letter or explore other Funding Opportunities.

Can a few cents revitalize a community?

Around the world, millions of talents go to waste because people lack the resources to get started. In 2006, Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his innovative idea of microlending to help impoverished communities. In this project, students will learn how microlending can be an incredibly powerful force for good. Your class will raise and lend money to entrepreneurs in developing nations who are trying to make a positive impact on the world!

Imagine if thousands of kids just like yours, all around the country, made small investments today that would have an immense impact on communities around the world. What an incredible way to make the world a better place!

Project Learning Targets

Lesson 1: Students begin to understand the concept of microlending.

Lesson 2: Students research microlending stories.

Lesson 3: Students perform puppet plays depicting their own creative microlending success stories.

Lesson 4: Students discuss and debate to select a loan request to fund. 

Lesson 5: Students consider audience when pitching their fundraising ideas.

Lesson 6: Students discuss and debate to plan a fundraiser.

Lesson 7: Students look for ways to refine their fundraiser.

Lesson 8: Students conduct a successful fundraiser and fund the microloan request.

For lesson descriptions, download the project overview.

For K–8 content connections, download the content correlations.

What is included with your project? 

Sample Online Resources
  • ”Fish Out of Water”Game 
  • The Pedro Story (You Tube 1:36) 
  • Blue Apple Fundraiser Ideas 
  • ”Ultimate Fish Catcher of Doom” Instructions 
  • The F.U.N. Part Protocol 
  • And so much more!
Kit Supplies
  • 22 Cents: Muhammad Yunus and the Village Bank, by Paula Yoo and Jamel Akib
  • Paper Bags
  • Gummy Fish
  • Marbles
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Tape
  • String
  • English Language Arts: Academic Vocabulary
  • Math: Numerical Expressions
  • Science: Matter and Its Properties
  • Social Studies: Variety of Resources
  • Social-Emotional Learning: Relationship Skills and Social Awareness
  • Meet a Small Business Expert
  • Ask a Microlending Expert
  • Connect with a Celebrity
  • Change the World with KIVA
  • Connect with Community Leaders
The Puppet Prophecy

Create puppets and use them to connect with another class to help recruit other students and increase the power of your project!

  • Applying Creative and Critical Thinking
  • Student Choice and Voice

To see a complete list of what’s included in your project, download the project overview.

About the Author

Angela Marzilli

PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator
South Portland High
South Portland, ME

Each Blue Apple Project Includes:

Are you a DIY-er?
FREE

Don’t have time for DIY?
$60

Angela Marzilli

PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator
South Portland High
South Portland, ME

Hello, my name is Angela and I currently work as the PreK-12 STEM and PBL Coordinator in a public school department in Maine. My teaching career began with a focus on math, specifically K-8 gifted math education. After five years working in a pull-out program for gifted math students, I returned to the classroom where I facilitated project based learning for third, fourth, and fifth grades. I have led professional development workshops in inquiry based learning, math, science, and STEM integration. Although my primary role now is as a facilitator of adult learning and curriculum developer, I keep my hands in teaching through facilitating a high school level project based Forensic Science class. When not working, I enjoy reading mysteries and having fun in Maine with my two young daughters.