Oak Park Education Network (OPEN) STEAM Programs and BASE Camp

Oak Park Education Network (OPEN) STEAM Programs and BASE Camp includes Art Start for K-2nd grade, Science Alliance for 3rd-5th grade, VEX IQ/Gears for 5th grade, Spoken Word for 6th-8th grade, VEX Robotics for 6th-8th grade, and BASE Camp. Art Start gives D97 students hands-on creative experiences in the classroom with community artists. Science Alliance brings professional scientists into the classroom or takes students on a field trip to a scientist for hands-on scientific experiences. VEX IQ/Gears uses robotic programs to teach coding and engineering principles, Spoken Word includes writing and revising poems and performance speaking skills, and VEX Robotics is an after-school program where students design, build, and program robots in intramural and competitive leagues.

Programs

• Art Start — K-2nd Grade · Provides D97 students hands-on creative experiences in the classroom with community artists.
• Science Alliance — 3rd-5th Grade · Professional scientists visit the classroom or students take a field trip to the scientist for hands-on scientific experiences.
• VEX IQ/Gears — 5th Grade · Students work with VEX IQ/Gears and other robotic programs to learn coding and engineering principles.
• Spoken Word — 6th-8th Grade · Provides opportunities for middle school students to write and revise poems and develop performance speaking skills.
• VEX Robotics — 6th-8th Grade · An after-school program where students design, build and program robots in intramural and competitive leagues.
• BASE Camp — Summer camp program; scholarship program is available for summer camps.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–14 years old

About the provider

OPEN says it has been inspiring D97 kids annually for over 30 years. Its mission is to bring hands-on STEAM opportunities to D97 youth that inspire a lifelong love of learning. The leadership team includes Latonia Baker, Executive Director; Tamika Djondo, Programs Director; Susan Raphael, Operations Coordinator; Renee Barnett, Program Coordinator; and Elle Morton, Out of School Programs Coordinator. OPEN also says it partners with D97 librarians for the 5th grade VEX IQ/Gears program and works with professional artists, scientists, tech experts, and D97 teachers. The site says programs are free for all D97 students during the school year and that a scholarship program is available for summer camps.

Formerly known as the Oak Park Education Foundation (OPEF). Programs are for D97 youth/students.

What families say

“We love OPEN Programs. My kids are so excited each summer for BASE Camp and learn so much! They have also enjoyed Spoken Word programs during the school day” — Local D97 Parent

Last updated August 24, 2026.