Math, Science and Swing Dance in Downtown Salem

New student exhibit opens at “Where the Sidewalk Begins”.

Photos courtesy: Salem/Keizer Educational Foundation

(SALEM, Ore.) - A new student exhibit in downtown Salem features artwork based on geometry concepts, as well as reports and diagrams about the human body. The display is the August exhibit at “Where the Sidewalk Begins,” the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation’s downtown storefront space and gallery.

The exhibit features the work of Washington Elementary School students. Fourth and fifth graders created their display after learning to identify and classify triangles by their angles, and to find and justify relationships among formulas for the areas of triangles and parallelograms. The result is an artistic representation using geometry.

Third graders at Washington integrated health and science in a study of the human body’s functions and systems, and then demonstrated their understanding by writing reports and designing labeled diagrams.

“Where the Sidewalk Begins,” at 233 Commercial St. N.E., also will be open for the August 5 First Wednesday event, with extended hours to 8:00 p.m.

In keeping with the First Wednesday theme, “Dancing in the Streets,” SKEF has lined up professional dance instructor, Mz. Jitterbug, to give group lessons and demonstrations in swing dance.

“Where the Sidewalk Begins” is the first permanent office space in the foundation’s 27-year history. In addition to a gallery for local student work, the storefront space also houses a retail outlet and smoothie bar.

The gallery showcases different exhibits each month, displaying the arts, science, literary and service-learning projects of district students and teachers.

The smoothie bar offers blended juice drinks, brewed coffee and other beverages, along with breakfast foods and specialty snacks. The gift shop features women’s and children’s clothing and books, greeting cards, home decor, jewelry, and local art, with an emphasis on sustainably produced items.

All proceeds from “Where the Sidewalk Begins” benefit the foundation’s work, in particular its Enrichment Academy programs.

The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is a catalyst for enhancing the education of Salem-Keizer public school students by providing resources for creative and innovative programs and materials, educating and mobilizing the community, and sustaining collaborative partnerships that support its goals.

The Awesome 3000 all-youth fun run is the organization’s signature event. The annual event is recognized as one of the largest children’s runs in the nation. Awesome proceeds and foundation sponsorships go toward some $50,000 in grants each year for original and motivational school programs. More than 800 grants totaling over $750,000 have been awarded to educators since 1982.

For more information about the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, visit the website: skeducationfoundation.org.