SCIENCE @ Topanga Elementary

Our Mission: To support and encourage intellectual curiosity and to instill in the children of Topanga an appreciation of our natural resources and a desire to practice environmental stewardship. Download Flyer

EDUCATION
Topanga Elementary Charter School (TECS) has invested time and resources to develop a one-of-a-kind science educational experience for our children. A sampling of our Education Activities is below:
  • Dedicated Science Teacher and Classroom: Formal weekly science curriculum for all grades K – 5.
  • Dedicated Science Committee: A team of parents work on a volunteer basis with the principal and science teacher to support the science program and develop and carry out program initiatives.
  • Science Hikes: Our school has worked with the Santa Monica Mountains Resource Conservation District (RCD) to develop a curriculum where classroom activities are integrated with regular hikes and exploration along the nature trails in the 5 acres of oak woodland on our campus.
  • Annual Science Fair: Every child has the opportunity to undertake a project of their choosing, receive guidance on project development and presentation, then present to parents, families and classmates.
  • Native Butterfly Microhabitat: A microhabitat project with native plants supporting pollinators.
  • 5th Grade Environmental Science Field Trip: As a capstone event for their science program, 5th graders engage in an immersive environmental science field trip, partnering with community research education centers.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
We engage in community outreach activities to support our community and teach our children the value of working together to share their gifts with others. A sampling of our Community Outreach Activities is below:
  • Annual 5th Grade “Science Day”: We work with community partners to host the 5th grade class from Hart Street Elementary School for a day of science learning activities. We bring their students to Topanga, and our 5th graders host Hart Street students in a variety of science learning activities, including: Watershed Education; Endangered Species; Hikes to Learn About Flora and Fauna in our ecosystem; Trout Biology; Raptor Biology.
  • P22 Day: Our children welcome Beth Pratt and hikers from the National Wildlife Federation as part of their effort to promote awareness of urban wildlife and the challenges facing mountain lions in urban settings.
  • Topanga Library Speaker Series and Science Poster Display: The TECS Science Committee selects and invites renowned scientists to speak in a speaker series at the library that is open to the public.
  • Butterfly Day: Partnership with Bill Buerge and the Topanga Mountain Mermaid to produce a community event aimed at raising awareness of the broad and critical importance of pollinators to our lives on earth.

SUPPORT
​The TECS Science Committee gratefully acknowledges financial support from:
  • Topanga Enrichment Programs; Santa Maria Trails Fund; Topanga Mountain Mermaid; Topanga Art & Tile; Angel
  • in Your Kitchen; Love Bug Pizza; Misty and Jared Vest Family; Camp Wildcraft

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
​US Fish & Wildlife Service; National Wildlife Federation; Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains; Mountain Restorations Trust; Raptor Events; Bill Buerge and the Topanga Mountain Mermaid; Angel in Your Kitchen; Lovebug Pizza

COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Alisa Land Hill, Kent Land Hill, Stephen Powers, Mia Rondinella, Petra Sapir, Jessica Viola, Hannah Wear

CONTACT 
Alisa or Kent Land Hill alisajlandhill@gmail.com / kenthill@microbio.ucla.edu

To learn more, you can also read the Science Committee Minutes...
​and check out last year's Topanga Elementary Science Fair 5/18-5/19
Also, here are some videos from our TEP science speaker series, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Public Library. Enjoy! ​

SCIENCE HIKEs (TREES) - RENA BENOR (Room 16)
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The eight acre site of Topanga Elementary School includes nearly four acres of land preserved as a nature reserve. This nature reserve is now the backbone of the TREES science program that is part of the Topanga Elementary Charter.

“The program is called T.R.E.E.S. (Topanga Resource Ecosystem Exploration for Students),” explained Principal Steve Gedimen to Topanga Messanger. “I am very excited about our new science program. I believe we need to unlock the potential given to us in this unique school location and create a true outdoor classroom for students to explore and learn.”

 “I feel that, thanks to this new partnership between our school and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) team, Topanga is beginning an ‘Environmental Science Renaissance.’ The seeds we are planting this year will grow and make Topanga Elementary School the place for outdoor learning at the elementary school level.”

Be a vital part of the TREES SCIENCE PROGRAM by volunteering for a science walk with your child class.