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
New Mosaics Grace D97 Walls
NEW MOSAICS GRACE THE WALLS OUTSIDE FOUR D97 SCHOOLS It's always inspiring to see creative ideas burst into fruition for all to enjoy. This school year you will find original mosaics by renown artist Tracy Van Duinen gracing prominent exterior walls of...
Teacher Spotlight: Guillermo Delgado
Folk Art fun with BASE Camp's Guillermo Delgado Guillermo Delgado is the kind of OPEF instructor that makes campers feel instantly at ease. When visiting his BASE Camp Folk Art classroom, Delgado had familiar classical soundtracks from top movies like...
Recreating History with Harmonicas
Children from Mr. Podlasek’s second-grade performed at Oak Park’s Belmont Village last week, sparking smiles and warming hearts for the residents. The students have been working with OPEF’s Art Start artist John Milan, who taught them songs to sing and...
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
March 13, 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.”