Funding for schools in Aptos, California

Magic Apple School, located at 2120 Trout Gulch Road in Aptos, California, is a unique institution that offers a range of exciting activities for students. From Flat Stanley Art to Parachute Games, lessons taught by students, and even experiments with mentos and diet coke, there is never a dull moment at Magic Apple School. The school also organizes events such as student body elections and special performances like Zach's surprise birthday play. One of the highlights of Magic Apple School is the fundraiser hosted by Alissa Towley and Jasmine Larson in the treehouse cafe to raise funds for a student named Taylor, which was featured in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The school's Rocket Club also achieved success with Project M.A.X.-1, and alumni Mason Lawrence-Emanuel won a $100 bond for an essay.

Castro Adobe State Historic Park is located at 184 Old Adobe Road in Watsonville, California. This park is a popular tourist attraction and offers a glimpse into the Mexican Rancho period of the mid-1800s. Visitors can take a free 90-minute guided tour of the two-story Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe, which was built on a nearly 9,000-acre rancho granted to Jose Joaquin Castro. The park offers guided hikes, public programs, and special events throughout the year. Visitors can explore the fandango room, learn about vaquero culture, and see one of the last remaining indoor cocinas in California. The park also offers virtual tours and videos showcasing the restoration efforts at the Castro Adobe. Funding for the restoration is provided by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, who also support educational programs and capital projects at parks in the Santa Cruz area.

The Santa Cruz Math Circle is a weekly gathering for students in grades 5th through 8th who have a passion for math. Located in Aptos, California, the Math Circle provides an opportunity for students to meet with mathematical professionals in an informal setting to work on interesting problems and topics in mathematics. The instructors, who are mathematicians, scientists, and engineers with PhDs in math, focus on interactive problem-solving activities that are not typically covered in the standard classroom curriculum. In addition to the Math Circle, the institution also offers robotics clubs for high school students in Watsonville and Santa Cruz, in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. Students have the opportunity to learn about electronics, design, programming, CAD, 3D printing, and more, with the goal of forming teams to compete in the MATE ROV competition.