Summer of Science exposes younger generations to new opportunities and experiences

Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, this year’s Summer of Science program inspired 126 Hope Street Margolis Family Center children to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects and careers.

Between June through August, students participated in over 50 activities including:

Camping

Students experienced the great outdoors at Lake Perris—learning about wildlife, making s’mores, pitching their own tents and participating in team building activities.

Field trips

From trips to Cabrillo Beach, Griffith Park, Tanaka Farms and Castaic Lake to visiting California Science Center and organizing a beach cleanup day to promote environmental stewardship, our field trips helped foster students’ STEAM interests with a variety of fun and engaging activities.

Under the sea

Students learned about coral reefs and the dangers affecting them today. They created their own life-like coral using polymer clay and thermochromic paint, sculpted their own clay fish using the pinch pot technique, colored sea creature plushies using fabric markers and painted underwater scenes in a fishbowl to depict life under the sea.

Famous scientists

Students learned about several famous scientists and their contributions to society including Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Katherine Johnson, Ellen Ochoa and Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski. After learning about Expressionism, they applied the art style using oil pastels and transformed black and white photocopies of scientists into colorful and Expressionist portraits. Students also learned the basics of embroidery, such as running stitch, backstitch and satin stitch transforming an image of famous scientists into works of art.

Around the world

Students learned about famous landmarks found around the world and discussed the differences between a continent, country, state and city to expand their knowledge of geography and culture. They created mini pop-up cards with a depiction of their Wonder of the World and drew themselves in their “home.”

National parks

Students learned about animals found in Yosemite National Park and worked in groups to create a papier-mâché model of these animals. They made a black bear, raccoon, bighorn sheep, red-legged frog and spotted owl. They also created a 3D model of Yosemite Valley using foil, masking tape, clay, plaster, natural materials and paint to foster awareness and appreciation of the natural world.

Environmental stewardship

Fifteen children attended a week-long camp at the Ballona Wetlands in Playa Vista where they learned about being environmental superheroes through a series of hands-on activities and interactive exercises. Watch the ABC 7 Eyewitness News segment about this trip.

Students also participated in daily recreation and physical education activities like ballet, music workshops, baseball, volleyball, hockey, soccer and basketball drills.

This year’s program culminated in an open house in September where donors and supporters caught a glimpse of all the activities and met students. They also enjoyed homemade ice cream made by students and designed their own tie dye T-shirts with the help of students and staff.

“These kids bonded like they've never thought they could,” says Sid Oxford, Hope Street’s Youth Center Education Coordinator. “They open up to each other. They open up to staff. They're able to get out and experience things that we all, I think, take for granted, such as a simple camping trip.”

Money raised from this year’s Champions for Children Luncheon went directly to supporting the Summer of Science program. As a community health, education and recreation program of Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center, Hope Street celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Thanks to the generosity of philanthropic support, the center is able to help children and families stay healthy and reach their full potential. To donate or learn more, visit hopestreetfamilycenter.org.