Oak Park students enjoy hands-on science
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

LOST HORIZONS- Students take in the scenery and look out for whales on Santa Cruz Island.

Debby West wants to take science out of the textbook and make it real for Oak Park students.

West is the Oak Park Unified School District's new science resource specialist, and her goal is to show kids how much fun science can be.

She gets excited just talking about the subject. "If we think about the oceans they're really one and all connected. We rely on them for life, yet we know more about the moon and Mars than we do about our oceans," West said.

Oak Park fifth-graders will learn more about ocean life this month when they visit Santa Cruz Island as part of West's efforts. They will travel by boat to Santa Cruz, the largest in the chain of eight Channel Islands located off the Southern California coast.

While there, the young explorers will study the island's unique ecosystem, its plant and animal life, its role as a national marine sanctuary and the importance of protecting the environment. Students will photograph and write about their experiences.

"It's incredible to be able to observe what nature provides every day right in our backyard," West said. "You don't need a passport, and you don't have to get on an airplane."

Fifth-graders aren't the only ones who will benefit from West's enthusiasm. The district's science curriculum for all grades will be enhanced under her guidance. She has created the Junior Emerging Explorer program for students, inspired, she said, by a similar National Geographic endeavor.

All elementary school students will enjoy hands-on science projects in rooms set up as science labs, with sinks and tables and chairs rather than desks, making it easier to do experiments and other sciencerelated activities. West has obtained digital microscopes to enhance the curriculum for many elementary and middle school classrooms.

Parents are invited to volunteer in labs and share their ideas and expertise, and teachers are undergoing science-related training.

Middle and high school students will study robotics through a new program that will include cooperative projects and regional and state competitions.

"We are going to look at how we can spotlight student ideas and work collaboratively with teachers," West said.

West, who also works as a fifthgrade teacher at Oak Hills Elementary, was hired for the science position through funds raised by Friends of Oak Park Schools. Friends is a nonprofit fundraising group made up of residents that provides support to the school district.

West retains her teaching position, working part time and spending the remaining 50 percent on science curriculum for the district. A new part-time fifth-grade teacher shares the Oak Hills job.

This is the first time Friends of Oak Park Schools has funded a new program. Until now the group has helped to retain existing programming, such as music instruction, from being cut due to budget constraints. In the past Friends has raised thousands of dollars for the school district through special events such as golf and basketball tournaments and a casino night.

"Friends of Oak Park Schools recognizes the importance of arts education, but also recognizes the importance of bringing science back into the forefront of the district," said Friends chair Barry Myerson. "Debby's energy and her stamina are really infectious. We are really excited."

For West, wearing two hats in the district is an option she values. "It's a nice opportunity to work with teachers across the district and to share my interest and passion in science education."