A robotic bear, an interactive display of the inner-workings of Star Wars droid BB-8 and the effects of soda on the human body were just a few highlights of this year’s Community Home Education Program, or CHEP, Expo.
The event, held March 15 on the OCDE campus, celebrated CHEP students’ academic and personal achievements throughout the school year.
Since 1988, CHEP has been providing free resources to parents who choose to educate their children at home. The award-winning, state-funded independent study program offers curriculum under the guidance of credentialed teachers with the support of OCDE, serving more than 1,000 students from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.
The CHEP Expo has grown from a small open house to an annual event, occupying almost an entire building on the OCDE campus. The event showcases student projects in science, social studies and art, as well as student performances in song and dance as part of a variety show. Prizes are awarded based on academic content and demonstration of learning.
This expo has become a favorite tradition that brings families together and reflects the strong community of students, parents and teachers of CHEP.