Contra Costa Sun • February 2002

EFO ...providing the margin of excellence

by Paula Goodwin

Leaving behind the textbooks, school bells and traditional desks, 60 Miramonte High School students and 5 teachers embarked on Sunday for a six-day extended field-science experience to the Olympic Park Institute (OPI) in the Olympic National Forest of Washington. This northern geographic area provides tremendous geologic, biological and ecological diversity as a platform for scientific investigation. However, thanks in part to funding from the Educational Foundation of Orinda (EFO), students will integrate technology into their scientific studies of glacier regions, rain forests, coastal mountains and the rocky coastline.

What began as an AP Biology trip to Yosemite 20 years ago expanded to a learning opportunity for all seniors taking any science class. Three years ago the Miramonte technology teacher, Cheryl Davis, accompanied students on the trip in an effort to integrate art and technology with science. This year, because of the inter-disciplinary aspects of the teaching, students enrolled in the Digital Arts program at Miramonte were invited as well.

Since it was established in 1979, EFO has been committed to bringing technology into the classroom and into each student's learning experience. Over the years EFO has expanded its funding to include personnel in computer classes; capital outlay for digital and video cameras and video projectors; technology electives for students; as well as equipment and software to complete two new computer labs at Miramonte and to upgrade classroom computers, including those in the science labs so that all science students have access to technology from these labs. As Miramonte principal Dennis Regalado notes, "With technology being such a driving force in California's and the nation's economy, it is expected that our students will gain the skills in science and technology necessary to be productive in college and the workplace." That's a tall order, but, according to Regalado, "The partnership with EFO has given us an opportunity to provide classes, programs and equipment we would not otherwise have had access to."

Building on Davis' technology expertise, learning opportunities with the Olympic Park experience have continued to grow. A web site for the program was developed and expanded. Recognizing Miramonte's efforts to use technology as an effective tool to help improve teaching and learning, Davis and science teachers Paul Yriberri and Nikki Le Boy and principal Regalado were recognized and granted an AT&T Broadband Emerging Technology award earlier this month. Because of this award and continued EFO funding, students and teachers hope to expand on the technology aspect of the program this year.

Davis explains that, "EFO funding helped to start the Digital Arts program at Miramonte and to purchase cameras and video-equipped computers which we will use to create a video of the program. The funding from EFO has given us the ability to create and become involved in innovative programs such as this which integrates science, technology and the digital arts. This support goes a long way toward providing MHS students with opportunities to apply their creativity and to learn and share those experiences with other students."

Miramonte students in Orinda will be accessing the web site and following the seniors on their journey which will include hiking, canoeing, snow shoeing and an overnight camping trip to the coast, as well as an array of scientific investigations, surveys and observational activities which will fill day and night programs. Participants on the trip will set up a science challenge for students who remain at Miramonte and will put that on the web along with their journals. Visit the web site at http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/miramonte/opi/ to see how EFO funding is providing the margin of excellence.