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 2020
Mark your Calendar! Registration for BASE Camp 2020 opens February 5th at noon. Our full list of 2020 camps can be seen here. Camp runs June 15th to July 10th. What is BASE Camp? OPEF’s summer BASE Camp offers a wide variety of STEAM-focused camps with topics such as...
Now Offering Partial Scholarships for BASE Camp
NEW! Partial Scholarships Available For the first time, thanks to our generous donors, we are offering PARTIAL scholarships to D97 families with campers going into grades 1-8 in the fall. If you don't qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, but still find it a...
2018-2019 Annual Report
In the summer of 2019, we made a lasting mark outside four elementary schools, installing vibrant mosaic murals of a blooming tree. Those trees also remind us of our reinvention as an organization—branching out towards a new future while firmly rooted by our 30-year...
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.”