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Science Expo, education foundation and CTE month highlighted at WPUSD board meeting
Summary
Students and community representatives presented the 20th annual Science Expo, the Western Placer Education Foundation outlined recent grants and the district showcased Career and Technical Education pathways and a new CTE video.
The Western Placer Unified School District board meeting on Feb. 4 included presentations from community and student groups promoting district programs: the Lincoln High School Science Expo marked its 20th anniversary, the Western Placer Education Foundation summarized grant awards and stewardship of a 50-acre parcel known as the Olay property, and district staff launched CTE (Career and Technical Education) month with a new video showcasing pathways.
Marylee Edwards, introduced the Science Expo and said student leaders and about 80 club members work many non-school days to prepare; the event is scheduled for March 28 with a night expo that will include food trucks and coincide with a student play. Student presenters described growth from a one-hour classroom event in 2006 to a districtwide program that hosts more than 600 third-graders and integrates CTE pathways and high-school volunteers.
Heather Pierce, principal at 12 Bridges High School and a member of the Western Placer Education Foundation, described the foundation’s mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting district programs and cited $26,000 in grants awarded for the 2024–25 cycle. Pierce explained the foundation originally managed a donated 50-acre “Olay” property and retained $500,000 of the original endowment to provide ongoing grants; the foundation later transferred the land back to the district while maintaining that portion of the endowment.
Pierce listed recent grant recipients, including farm-beautification funding for Lincoln High School, a 3D-printing grant at 12 Bridges Middle School, sensory materials for a TK classroom and a literacy trip for Phoenix High School students. She said the foundation aims to spread funds across campuses and grade levels and that grant sizes commonly range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars; larger grants are reserved for events such as the Science Expo or sober-grad activities.
Jennifer Wharton, district career-and-college coordinator, and Philip Hopkins of WPTV presented a short CTE month video produced by students that outlines 18 pathways across the district and highlights hands-on, industry-aligned instruction. Students Phoebe Griswold and Riley Amioka narrated the clip, and district staff said the video will be shared on social media for CTE month.
Board members praised the volunteer student effort and outreach partnerships and asked procedural questions about grants and internships; Pierce and staff explained grant application logistics, typical award ranges and how to apply through site administrators and district curriculum channels.
The presentations were informational; no board action was required. The district said the Science Expo will be held March 28 and the Lincoln High School farm will host an open house and barbecue on April 30.
