Silver Oak Elementary School's STEAM Lab opened in March 2017. It was the first dedicated STEAM lab in Evergreen School District. "We want children to have 21st century skills in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Our STEAM Lab offers our kindergarten through 6th grade students fun, exciting, hands-on ways to explore these subjects. The projects they will work on will strengthen students' abilities to be creative and flexible problem-solvers," explains Silver Oak Principal Howie Greenfield.

Our lab offers students in all grades the ability to learn introductory STEAM concepts and activities that are age and grade appropriate.

With Silver Oak PTO donations and Measure M monies, the STEAM Lab is colorfully outfitted, wired for the latest technology, and equipped with materials and tools so students can take advantage of a space that promotes working on group projects. The lab has a laser cutter and 3D printer and cardboard and wood building tools including glue guns, cardboard cutters, and drills. Various software and hardware kits are used in teaching technology lessons aligned to Next Gen science standards.

We are excited to share a new session of Chess after-school STEAM program starting in April!

Registration for Silver Oak's Chess Program is Now Open!
 

What: 8-weeks of scholastic Chess instruction taught by US Chess Federation Coach(es).  Includes published Chess Club Workbook series, Trophy Tournament, and other cool prizes.

Who: Students Grades 1-6

When: Thursdays, April 3 - May 29, 2025 } 12:40 PM - 1:40 PM

Cost: $257

Chess enhances K-12 Academics:

• Positional Evaluation
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Visualization
• Planning & Strategy
• Confidence Building
• Good Sportsmanship
• Problem Solving

For more information or questions regarding this program, please email silveroakstemprograms@gmail.com.

We are excited to share a new LEGO® after-school STEAM program sessions starting in January!

Registration is now open and will close as soon as capacity is reached.

Super Mario STEM with LEGO®: 9-sessions of STEM basics by building guided projects out of LEGO® pieces! Bring the world of Super Mario to life with Brick  Tech as we build LEGO® projects inspired by the video games. Participants in this class will learn about the real-world STEM concepts involved in games such as Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Mario Odyssey. Get ready to power up and help Mario to save the day in this video game themed class from Brick Tech. A new project will be completed each week to explore STEM concepts as we learn with hands-on building. Click here or below to register.

Grades: K-2
Dates: Mondays, January 13 - March 24, 2025 (Omit: 1/20, 2/17)
Time: 2:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.
Registration Fee: $207
 

Exploration of Mars with LEGO® Spike Prime: LEGO® Spike Prime Robotics: 9-sessions of robotics class using LEGO’s Spike Prime® system. Explore the next step in space exploration with Brick Tech as we attempt to colonize Mars using the new Spike Prime Robotics materials from LEGO®. Students will build and program a Mars base, remote controlled Mars Rover, a functioning airlock system and much more. Students will be provided with everything they need from tablets for programming, Spike Prime Robotics materials (motors, sensors, brain brick), and more LEGO® bricks and pieces than they could ever build! Click here or below to register.

Grades: 3-6
Dates: Mondays, January 13 - March 24, 2025 (Omit: 1/20, 2/17)
Time: 2:20 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. 
Registration Fee: $252

For more information or questions regarding this program, please email silveroakstemprograms@gmail.com.

Registration is closed as of March 21, 2025

Science Olympiad is nationwide competition where students compete in topics including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Science Olympiad is designed to increase a student’s interest in STEM fields and provide recognition for outstanding achievement in team events. We're excited to host the Bay Area Elementary Regional Science Olympiad Tournament for 2025. Below is the information for this current academic year's competition.

List of Events:

• Entomology: Students will be asked to identify insects and selected immature insects by order and family, answer questions about insects, and use or construct a dichotomous key

• Metric Mastery: Teams estimate and measure properties of objects including mass, area, volume, distance, and time

• Mousetrap Car: Teams design, build, and test a vehicle that uses a single mousetrap as its sole means of propulsion to reach a target point as accurately as possible

• Pasta Tower: Using only the materials given, build the tallest tower that can support an unknown mass in a cup

• Solar System: Teams will demonstrate understanding and knowledge of planet formation and structures in our solar system

• Teamwork: The whole team participates in a team science and activity relay race

• Write It Do It: One participant will write a description of an object and how to build it. The other participant will attempt to construct the object from this description.

At Silver Oak, we are introducing a rigorous 5 weeks after school program, from March 28 - May 3, 2025, Fridays from 2:15-3:45pm, that will help team/s to work on their project and be ready to compete in the tournament. This program requires additional preparation time on weekends. 

Bay Area Elementary Tournament Competition will be May 3, 2025 at Canyon Middle School in Castro Valley!

Parents commitment is required to ensure all members of the team attend all the sessions and preparation meetings.

Silver Oak's Math Olympiad Team

A team of about 45-50 Silver Oak Math Olympiad students meet weekly to learn different problem solving techniques and practice solving non-typical math problems. The Math Olympiad contest consists of 5 exams held once a month from November to March. Exams cover advanced math problems and have the same paper for 4th, 5th and 6th graders. For more details, please contact Silver Oak parent volunteers at silveroakmoems@gmail.com.

• Registration will OPEN on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. and closes Monday, September 30th 5:00.pm., or when the 50 limit is reached.
• Registration cost: $55 per student (Non PTO Members $65. If you pledged between $100-$199, you are a PTO member. Click here for details).
• Classes will BEGIN on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 7:00a.m.–7:55a.m. at Silver Oak. Room numbers will be shared after registration is closed. 
• Duration – From October 4, 2024 to March 21, 2025. Classes will be held every Friday morning from 7:00a.m.–7:55a.m. There will be NO Classes on 11/29/24, 12/27/24, 1/3/25, 2/21/25.
• Max capacity is 50 students. We will run 2 classes, both simultaneously on FRIDAY MORNINGS ONLY. No other days/times.
• Registration fees are non—refundable.

Only students who are willing to regularly attend the in–person classes and commit to participate in all 5 contests should register for this program.

Math Olympiad Test Dates: No make-ups allowed. Final Test dates.

Contest 1 : November 15, 2024
Contest 2 : December 13, 2024
Contest 3 : January 24, 2025
Contest 4 : February 28, 2025
​Contest 5 : March 14, 2025.

For information about the Math Olympiad program, Click Here.

For questions regarding Math Olympiad at Silver Oak, email:  silveroakmoems@gmail.com.

Math Olympiad Recognition Page

Congratulations to all the students who took part!

Silver Oak PTO would like to thank all the students who are participating in the Math Olympiad 2024- 2025 team this year. We are proud of your dedication towards the study of Mathematics. Congratulations to all the participants.

Fifth Exam

Congratulations to the following students who scored a perfect score of 5 on the fifth test.
 

Fourth Exam

Congratulations to the following students who scored a perfect score of 5 on the fourth test.
 

Third Exam

Congratulations to the following students who scored a perfect score of 5 on the third test.
 

Second Exam

Congratulations to the following students who scored a perfect score of 5 on the second test.
 

First Exam

Congratulations to the following students who scored a perfect score of 5 on the first test.

Join Us for Silver Oak PTO's Annual STEAM Night!

April 11, 2025

Mark your calendars! The PTO's Annual STEAM Night is happening on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on the blacktop. This is going to be a fun event with outdoor demo and hands-on science experience for all of Silver Oak's students, parents and community to enjoy. 

We will have food trucks serving burgers, sandwiches from Grillzillas and ice cream from Mister Softee!

What to expect?

• Geology - Mrs. Hokanson is coming back to us some awesome rocks, fossils and minerals.
• Chemistry Demos: 3 Show Times at 5:15 p.m., 6:15p.m. and 7:15 p.m. -Check out some cool Chemistry demos like Elephant Toothpaste, Whoosh Bottle, Lenz Law Levitator and Cloud in a Bottle.
• Giant Bubble Party Show - only one show from 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m..
• Hands-on Physics - Make your own rockets, helicopters, catapults
• Primary Programmers - Our very own Silver Oak 4th - 6th grade students will be demonstrating what they have learnt in their Scratch coding class.
• LEGO Pinewood Derby - Design your own cars using LEGO bricks and race them down the track in a creative twist on the classic derby.
• Snowflake Art - Cut and create some fun snowflakes 
• Polymers - Use Orbeez to build your keepsake of a 'Night Sky'
• Blubber experiment - Find our how animals keep themselves warm
• Balloon pop - Find out how much weight pops a balloon on nails
• Bendy lights - find out why light bends
• Electrifying fun - See and learn how a fruit and vegetable can power up clocks
• Giant Chess Board - have fun playing Chess
• Watch the First Lego League Challenge robotic games
• Preview the First Tech Challenge Robotics demo by Evergreen Valley High School team

To see photos from last year's event Click Here.

2024-2025 Math Kangaroo Enrollment is Now Open!
Click here to Register!

About Math Kangaroo
Math Kangaroo is a popular international math competition for students in 1st through 12th grade. It promotes math among students worldwide and encourages students to master mathematical knowledge.

The Math Kangaroo exam is usually held in March each year. Silver Oak School volunteers coordinate the logistics to have the MK exam conducted at the school. There is a nominal registration fee of $21 payable to MK directly to participate in this exam.

The format of this test is as follows:

• 75 Minute multiple choice test
• 24 Questions for students in grades 1 to 4
• 30 Questions for students in grades 5 to 12

Benefits:
Students learn mathematics, improve their math scores, and develop enthusiasm for math and logic reasoning.

School receives a small gift - toy, and postcards for ALL participants before the competition that are distributed on the day of the test after the exam has been written. This year there will be NO MK T-Shirts.

School receives medals, ribbons, awards, and certificates for winners after the competition that are given out at the Silver Oak Year End Math Awards Ceremony. 

Registration Time Frame: October 1, 2024 - November 15, 2024
 
Exam Date: March 20, 2025 from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. at Silver Oak School
 
Eligibility: Silver Oak Students in Grades 1 – 6
 
Cost: $21 per student payable directly to Math Kangaroo once the pre-registration with Silver Oak is completed. The registration form will open on October 1st, 2024
 
Max capacity: 90 students
 
Optional Classes for children in grades 1- 6 will begin in January 2025. Students who are pre-registered for the Math Kangaroo Exam will be given the option to enroll for these classes, in the order registered, and who have completed MK Exam registration in the MK website as well.

Parents please reach out to the MK Team at silveroakmathkangaroo@gmail.com to volunteer. We are looking for 6 enthusiastic parent volunteers who love Math and are willing to teach MK style questions to kids in grades 1&2, 3&4, 5&6 combined classes per MK Exam format. 

We will provide you with all the necessary help and content to teach kids these classes. Classes will run 7 - 8 weeks between January 1st - March 14th, 2025 prior to the MK Exam on March 20th, 2025. These classes will be held either before or after school and we are flexible on the days to accommodate volunteers. In the prior years, these classes were held on Thursdays from 12:40-1:40 or on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30pm. We can work with you to find the best days so you can help!

Math Kangaroo Recognition Page 2024

Silver Oak PTO would like to thank all the students who participated in the Math Kangaroo 2024 this year. We are proud of your dedication towards the study of Mathematics. Congratulations to all the winners who made it to the Top 20 in the Nation & State of California.

Congratulations to the Math Kangaroo winners!

Pictured below from left to right: Principal Sanchez, Anaahat A., Risha R., Dhairya N., Mohan C., Bao N. & Ethan K.

Here are the key statistics:

Over 44,070 students in the United States from 50 states

117,941 students in California

76 students from Silver Oak School all of whom finished in the National Top 98 ranks,

37 ranked nationally in the Top 51 - 98 ranks

14 ranked nationally in the Top 41 - 50 ranks

11 ranked nationally in the Top 31 - 40 ranks

8 ranked nationally in the Top 21 - 30 ranks

6 ranked nationally in the Top 20 ranks

The details of the Top 20 rank holders who get special recognition is listed below. Congratulations to all participants & winners!!

2025 Registration Opens January 10 at 3:00 p.m.!

Silver Oak Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will offer the Primary Programmers course in 2025. The classes will be held on Tuesdays before school between 7:00 a.m. and 7:55 a.m.. The course will be for Grades 4th - 6th only.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course Description

Primary Programmers is open for 4th, 5th & 6th grade students where students will learn basic programming concepts using a standard programming language, such as Python. From variables and data types to loops and arrays, students will learn basic algorithm development and create small software projects. The aim of this group is to establish a solid background for programming. (max 24 students)

Dates & Times

Primary Programmers  - Tuesdays from January 21, 2025 through April 15, 2025  from 7:00 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. (except February 18, 2025)

Every week except school holidays. The room information will be provided before classes begin.
 

REGISTRATION OPENS ON JANUARY 10, 2025 AT 3:00 P.M.

Registration:  Students may be registered online on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity of 16 is reached. If your student misses registration, or a desired class is full, please send an email to silveroakstemprograms@gmail.com with the student's name, grade, teacher, to get on the waiting list.

Grades:  Open to Silver Oak 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students

Deadline:  January 17, 2025 (or earlier if capacity of 24 students is reached)

Fees: $25 per student (for members), $30 per student (for non-members)