July 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Kids Go To Mars In Search Of Aliens:

As youngsters, Professor Egghead Science Academy founders and brothers Gary and Shaun Tuch found science education lackluster and sought to redefine methods of teaching, one student at time.

Having played and taught soccer for their entire lives, the brothers knew the level of excitement needed to enthuse young minds about science.

“We actually have a sports background,” Gary said. “And we’ve always been coaching, and the way that you coach kids positively is with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy. We saw that there was a big need for exciting science.”

The brothers then began researching different methods of teaching, from projects to games and beyond, they found themselves enthusiastic about the potential effect their non-traditional program could have on students in Los Angeles County.

Some of the schools they work with in and around Santa Monica include Delphi Academy, St. Monica, Village School, and Seven Arrows.

“We’ve bought a totally different style of teaching,” Gary said. “We’ve developed a program that is really cool which has made us the number one STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) program in Los Angeles. We do after school classes, in-school workshops, summer camps, and birthday parties. Our whole goal is to promote cool science. We brought our excitement for science to the class room, and from there Professor Egghead started.”     

Each week the Academy focuses on a different topic. Recently, they launched a Mars Exploration instep with NASA’s Mars project. The students and professors discussed travel to Mars and how to sustain life once there.

“We discussed UV light, the conditions and properties of that planet, and greenhouses,” Gary said. “We can’t use the soil on Mars because it has different properties. Everything we do is for kids to think creatively and think outside of the box and have fun with it rather than play video games or watch television. We’re just trying to infuse excitement and creativity back into education.”

Today, the brothers and their specialized trained Egghead Professor staff of 24, work with 45 schools and about 1000 students per week.

Before the Professors are sent to schools they must undergo a specialized in-house curriculum, designed specifically by the brothers.

“We focus on engineering, using LEGO as a medium,” Gary said. “We do classical science, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and biology. We focus on kids from the ages of 4 to 12.”

From the San Fernando Valley to the Southbay area and back to downtown Los Angeles, the brothers are making “Eggheads” out of hundreds of students.

“Our kids earn Egghead degrees,” Gary said. “For example, they can get an Egghead degree in Rocket Science, an Egghead degree Inventor. They love it.”

Before launching Professor Egghead Science Academy, the brothers started ACE Enrichment, an after school program that offers dozens of fun educational activities.

“There is a big need today, especially with both parents working, sometimes more than one job and not being able to afford aftercare,” Gary said. “There is a real need from about 2:30-5:30 pm for kids to have some type of enrichment. Studies have been shown that is time of day when students need most structure. That is generally when trouble happens.”

Gary said the Academy is a for-profit organization, funded 100 percent by parents, that does a lot of outreach.

As for the name “Egghead,” Gary said there was a long standing stereotype that being an ‘Egghead’ is a negative thing.

“In fact, an Egghead is defined as an intellectual… who doesn’t want to be smart,” he said. “We are simply taking that name back.”

in News
<>Related Posts

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...