Award-Winning Programs
Architecture Adventure
Architects design, build and explore the human-made world with K-5th 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
BASE Camp Cancelled for Summer 2020, Seeking New Ideas
It is with great sadness that we have decided to cancel our four weeks of in-person BASE (Build A Summer Education) Camp. We’ve consulted with our board, staff, D97 leaders and other community partners, and it has become clear that there will be no way to safely run...
BASE Camp Update and Response to Pandemic
The following is the most recent communication around the planning and status of BASE Camp. This letter was sent to our community April 17 after the governor's announcement about the closure of school buildings and extension of remote learning through the end of the...
Spoken Word Club resumes virtually
Calling all Spoken Word fans! The OPEF after-school club for Julian and Brooks students is back and running virtually on Monday afternoons from 3-4:30 pm through the end of May. Here is the link by video: meet.google.com/xif-vqkr-rax Students also can join on the...
Events
JOIN US FOR THESE AND OTHER EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
Summer Scholarship Soiree
September 6, 2019 – Late summer gathering with food, drinks, and conversation–all to benefit OPEF’s BASE Camp Scholarship Fund.
Super STEAM Saturday
November 9, 2019 – Join us for a family friendly fun day of science and art in Longfellow’s new space and learn a little more about OPEF and our programs.
Battle of the Bots
March 7, 2020 – Exciting all-day competition for local middle school VEX Robotics teams
Bingo Bash
April 17, 2020 – Join us for Bingo Bash, a new kind of FUNdraising.
Respect The Mic Spoken Word Slam
May 2020 – Middle School Spoken Word Club members gather at School of Rock 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.”