​ACTIVITIES, CLUBS, TEAMS AND COMPETITIONS
​At Portola Highly Gifted Magnet, our students participate in many amazing activities, competitions and clubs: Battle of the Books, MathCounts, Scripps Spelling Bee, Girls in Science & Technology (GiST), robotics, plays and musicals, Science Bowl and Model United Nations among others. Portola has a Club Fair every year in September where students can check out all the student run clubs they can join (or even start their own!).

​Portola Highly Gifted Magnet also holds an annual Science Fair for students with guest judges who are experts in their respective scientific fields. 
America's Battle of the Books is a voluntary reading incentive program for students in grades 3-12. The purpose is simply to encourage students to read good books and have fun while competing with peers. Portola has won the regional competition for the last several years.
Portola HGM's Annual Science Fair is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain valuable advice from guest judges who are experts in various scientific and engineering fields. Expert judges give students helpful critiques on their science projects, some of which go on to compete and win at the LA County Science Fair, the California State Science and Engineering Fair. and even Broadcom Masters (for which you must be in the top 10% of projects nationally to be nominated).
The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a national program that provides students the opportunity to compete in live, in-person contests against and alongside their peers. Created in 1983, it is the longest-running MATHCOUNTS program and is open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. Portola HGM has won the Regional competition for the last several years.
GiST (Girls in Science & Technology) Club is an after school enrichment activity coordinated by CSUN's Women in Science group. The goal of this group is to expose 8th grade girls to the many potential careers within science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and motivate them to pursue further education in these areas. The CSUN scientist coordinators approach this goal through hands-on activities, encouraging an open learning environment for girls to explore and experience science and technology. They also connect our girls with women in science careers so they can find knowledgeable mentors and gain a better understanding of specific STEM careers. Despite the name, this club is also open to boys. There's more info on the club's website.
Amgen Biotech Experience Our science teachers are trained in teaching the Amgen Biotech module and are using ABE labs during class. The ABE labs allow students to carry out some of the important steps taken by the biotechnology industry to develop medicines to treat a variety of diseases. By engaging in this program, students will be more motivated to understand the underlying science concepts, develop critical laboratory skills, and equipped to pursue future careers in science.
​Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation, and decision making.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual spelling bee held in the United States.  For more info, click here.
National Science Bowl The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. For more info, click here.