For over five years falconer and scientist Craig Hendee has been swooping in to Oak Park schools with his Peregrine Falcon, Alvin. This year, Hendee brought a special guest, a six-month old endangered Saker Falcoln named Susie. Hendee works with the International Heritage Conservancy and his hands-on visits are funded by Science Alliance. Over the […]
Thanks to Camille Wilson White, art from OPEF’s Art Start program is now hanging in the Oak Park Area Arts Council Hall Gallery at Village Hall. Artful Portraits (Brooks), Why Triangles? (Irving), Who Are the Peacemakers? (Lincoln) and Meditation, Yoga & Creative Practices (Beye) represent just the beginning of the wonderful and thoughtful work from […]
Oak Park has a surprising amount of scientists living in our small village, and OPEF is thrilled to be able to take advantage of their talents, generosity, and knowledge. Check out some of the photos of our volunteer Science Alliance scientists visiting classrooms. At Mann, Dr. Jordi Cabana Jimenez used Mentos and Coke to teach […]
After viewing over 40 images of famous architecture from around the world students at Irving had the chance to recreate their favorites, thanks to Architecture Adventure. Working in small groups, the 5th graders used recycled and found objects to create structures including the Taj Mahal (India), Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany) Falling Water (Pennsylvania), Petronas Towers (Malaysia) […]
Scientist Chris Ferrigno of Rush University Medical Center visited with Ms. Kauneli’s third grade class at Irving last week and provided a real HANDS ON experience. Several kids were very informed about shark cartilage but were surprised to learn some of the places where humans have cartilage – not just your nose and ears! Students […]
It was anything but a typical school day for a group of enthusiastic Irving Elementary students, who ventured to Rush University Medical Center this week to construct prosthetic hands and poke their fingers though the aorta of dissected sheep hearts. Susan Tresselt’s second graders and Lauren Kaunelis’ third graders, along with a group of parent chaperones, […]
We’ve had an exciting few months filled with dancing and yoga-loving teaching artists, creative scientists, and math-inspired visual artists visiting our schools and giving our kids hands-on projects and real-world learning experiences. Enjoy a few of the highlights! ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beye Art Start Teaching Artist LeKeya Shearrill led Ms. Schweigert’s second graders at Beye in […]
The students are learning about some common local house styles, and will build their own houses after the tour.
This year’s display features work from 6 elementary schools representing 9 classes and 5 unique and enriching projects.
As a part of the Science Alliance program, Craig Hendee from the Middle East Falcon Research Group visited to talk about falcons and an ongoing Mongolian Artificial Nesting project.