Project SEEK is a 100% Volunteer and Parent-Run Non-Profit O
Our Philosophy
Project SEEK is passionate about the importance of incorporating art and STEM into our children's education.
By providing funding for the Art Lab Teacher, Innovation Lab Instructor and Media Center Aide, Project SEEK makes it possible for the approximately 700 students of McGaugh to benefit from these Art and Technology programs as part of their regular curriculum.
Because of Project SEEK and its dedication to continuing this Art and Technology education, students are currently being exposed to STEM-based learning, including coding and programming, and McGaugh is the only school in the district at the elementary level with a full time dedicated art teacher.
Current & Upcoming Events
Project SEEK is pleased to announce its Second Annual Pickleball Tournament on Sunday, November 16th.
$65 registration fee includes either friendly play or participation in the pickleball tournament, one raffle ticket, one drink ticket, free appetizers, and a chance to win prizes. Drinks and raffle tickets will also be available for purchase at the event.
Registration is now open!
Join us on Saturday, November 22nd in Old Town, Seal Beach as we hit the streets for the 7th Annual Seal Beach Turkey Trot.
The Seal Beach Turkey Trot aims to raise over $25,000 in funds and awareness in our community every year, and they've partnered with Project SEEK to give back $5 for every adult registration. Enter promo code SEEK at checkout in order to help support our Art and STEM programs at McGaugh.
Project Seek is hosting a NEW fundraiser this year: The McGaugh Holiday Shoppe! The shop will take place during the school day, December 1-3. Students will visit the shop with their class to purchase (and wrap!) gifts for family and friends. We will have a variety of gifts, ranging in price from $1 to $20. Students will receive instructions on how to shop for items closer to the date of the event.
Right now, we are looking for donations of items to supplement what we already have ready to sell! Below is a link to an Amazon wishlist of items we are hoping to have donated to the sale. We are also looking for donations of small candy canes - which can be dropped off in the office.
If you have other bulk items you would like to donate, please see or contact Project Seek President Katherine Lasker at katherine.lasker@gmail.com.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Project SEEK Charleston Wrap fundraiser! Because of your incredible support through purchases and donations, we raised over $12,000 to help fund Art and STEM programs for all McGaugh students.
Your generosity makes a real difference in keeping these creative and innovative programs thriving — thank you, thank you, thank you!
You can continue to support our fundraiser online through the end of the season by using your same participant link at registercw.com and entering Organization ID #26664.
Meet Our Teachers
Anya Cappon
Anya Cappon began teaching at McGaugh in January 2022. She is an accomplished artist with a mixed media background and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Chapman University in 2020. Cappon tailors art lessons and concepts to each grade level at McGaugh, from kindergarten through fifth grade, so that students are able to build on their skills and understanding. Just many of the art projects students have created in art class include annual self-portraits, African-inspired art, ceramics, weaving projects using yarn and paper, and life-sized paintings each year that are part of McGaugh’s Pageant of the Arts performance in March.
May Samari
May Samari came to McGaugh in 2014 as a leader in the early stages of STEM education. Holding a Masters Degree from UC Davis, May was instrumental at her previous school in piloting Google Chromebooks in the classroom and has collaborated with Khan Academy and in Stanford studies on pioneering educational technology programs. May creates a vibrant learning environment in our McGaugh Innovation Lab, where students look forward to engaging in hands-on STEM activities. She also spearheads our Annual STEAM Fair in April, encouraging students to explore their curiosities and transform their ideas into reality.