• Second graders explore birds and butterflies

    Art Start project with local artist and author Sallie Wolf.

  • Just a few spots left in OPEF's BASE Camp for current 5th-7th graders!

    Sign up today and spend June doing VEX Robotics, Digital Photography, Mural Project, Dissection or Camp Runway.

  • Want to be a clothing designer? Learn the art of Altered Couture at Camp Runway!

    Brand new, week-long, exciting and creative BASE Camp for fashionistas now in grades 5-7.

  • 2013 BASE Camp online registration now open

    Register soon -- camps fill fast! Sign up for favorites like VEX Robotics, LEGOs, Photography, Architecture, Dissection and Mural Project, or try one of our new camps: Camp Runway, Time Warp Tales, or Build a Bug!

  • 9th annual student art show and auction now at Geppetto's Toy Box

    Toy-themed artwork by Julian & Brooks Middle School students on exhibit and for sale: May 3-27.

  • Come view the City of Chicago by Architecture Adventure students inside Scoville Square, 137 N. Oak Park Avenue

    Holmes 4th graders' large scale skyline on display through May 31.

  • Thank you to all who came to the 19th annual William C. Staszak Award Benefit

    It was a great night, honoring PING!, and raising lots of money for OPEF programs for District 97 kids.

  • VEX Robotics Sparks a Passion in Engineering

    VEX Robotics students used their knowledge of engineering and programming to build a cool walking robot.

  • Whittier Art Start students create, display tribute to the people of Boston

    Second graders' tin Milagros on display at The Competitive Foot in Oak Park.

  • Lincoln students deliver compelling presentation to make Graue Mill accessible

    Students spend more than a year developing proposal after a classmate is unable to participate in a field trip.

  • Irving 3rd graders get to know DNA and microscopes

    Mr. Sakellaris' students investigate with Science Alliance scientists from UIC and the EPA.

  • Upcycling artwork at Julian!

    Julian Middle School art club students explore how humans use and abuse our natural resources with fiber artist Karen Gubitz and art teacher Chris Worley

  • Hands-on science fun for Whittier students

    Science Alliance scientists conduct chemistry and physics experiments with 4/5th graders.

  • LEGO bugs at Holmes!

    Ms. Merz's first graders build models of insects using LEGOs.

  • Do you recognize these famous Chicago buildings?

    Irving third graders learn about architecture and make models out of LEGOs.

  • First grade yogis!

    Art Start instructor Kim Vulinovic explores weather and yoga with Lincoln students.

  • Second graders learn African drumming

    Art Start students at Beye take percussion lessons with Atiba Jali.

  • Do you have a used digital SLR camera to donate?

    OPEF needs your used, working digital SLR for students to use in our summer BASE Camp Digital Photography class.

  • Third graders invent their own simple machines

    Ms. Turi's Holmes students design, build, and write wonderful sales pitches for their inventions!

  • IIT astrophysicist teaches students to think like scientists

    Sally Laurent-Muehleisen has students posing hypotheses, building instruments and debunking myths.

  • Calling all scientists, engineers, architects, fundraisers, event planners, photographers, and more....

    OPEF is looking for volunteers to help in the classroom and behind the scenes.

  • Follow us on Facebook

    Follow us on Facebook to stay current on the latest news and see pictures and videos from the latest OPEF programs.
Architecture. Robotics. Art. Science. Technology. OPEF programs bring experts into District 97 classrooms to work hands-on with students and teachers. These experts inspire students, mentor them, and open their eyes to interests and abilities they never knew they had. Our kids go home and say, "Guess what I did in school today!"
5/3/13-5/27/13: Geppetto's Toy Box
    student art show/auction
6/3/13-6/28/13: B.A.S.E. Camp
OPEF  •  970 Madison Street  •  Oak Park, Illinois 60302  •  (708) 524-3023  •  dabrahamson@op97.org  •   facebook