Award-Winning Programs
Architecture Adventure
Architects design, build and explore the human-made world with K-8th graders.
Art Start
Artists animate the curriculum through visual and performing arts with K-2nd graders.
Geared Up
3rd-grade students engineer simple machines using specialized LEGOs.
Science Alliance
Working scientists conduct experiments and lead field trips with 3rd-8th graders.
Spoken Word
Middle schoolers find and cultivate their unique voices by reading, writing and performing poetry.
Vex Robotics
Tech experts work with teams of middle schoolers to design, build, program and compete with robots.
What’s New
Violets Are Blue, Happy Birthday to You
Spoken Word teaching artist Isaiah Makar celebrated his birthday with a very special event, the first-ever Julian Middle School 6th Grade Poetry Slam. A participant from each class was chosen by their peers and presented their work to the entire 6th grade class. The...
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Exploring Family Traditions at Lincoln
Students in Ms. Nagano's Spanish Immersion class at Lincoln Elementary School have been exploring the art of the codex book with teaching artist, Guillermo Delgado. Mr. Delgado introduced students to codex books from the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Students then...
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All About BASE Camp 2019
BASE Camp never really ends in the OPEF offices. If we aren’t running camps, we’re planning for them. Mark your Calendar! Registration for BASE Camp 2019 will open January 30th at noon. Our full list of 2019 camps can be seen here. More Camp! Perhaps the biggest...
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JOIN US FOR THESE AND OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
Summer's End Soiree
September 7, 2018 – Luscious late summer gathering with food, drinks, and conversation.
Open House
November 3, 2018 – Join us for a family friendly fun day of science and art and learn a little more about OPEF and our programs.
Battle of the Bots
March 2, 2019 – Exciting all-day competition for local middle school VEX Robotics teams
Bingo Bash
March 15, 2019 – Join us for Bingo Bash, a new kind of FUNdraising.
Spoken Word Poetry Slam
Date TBA – Poets from Gwendolyn Brooks and Percy Julian Middle Schools gather on stage to showcase their poetry and writing skills
See Us in Action!
“There isn’t any other part of our curriculum that is like this. It gives students a glimpse into a very specific world of science through a person who is making a career of it, but it also carries over into our everyday science units in school. I appreciate the time the scientists give this program.”
District 97 Teacher