Oklahoma State University

PROJECT PURPOSE

With an Education Week ranking in the bottom 10% of States for education quality indicators, Oklahoma is scarcely poised to fill the estimated 92,400 STEM-related jobs it projects by 2026. Moreover, in addition to the state-wide dearth of STEM preparedness, rural and economically underserved areas of the State suffer disproportionately from resource scarcity, incongruent values between local culture and economic demand, and disparities in effective outreach into communities. Leveraging the power of its historic land grant mission of teaching, research and extension, the OSU STEM Institute attacks these challenges through a virtual reality, augmented reality and online platform that accesses the university?s vast faculty expertise in STEM content, motivational learning, curriculum creation and virtual reality development. The Institute will mobilize an army of STEM- and education-major students to fight on behalf of K-12 students and strengthening local school districts? abilities to deliver high-quality, stimulating STEM curriculum. The Institute will empower local school districts to attract and retain teachers through embedded continuing education opportunities, ongoing access to faculty mentors and the creation of a distinctive sense of purpose and community uniquely deriving from Oklahoma State University?s commitment to extending learning across the State.

EVIDENCE

Research shows that the pathway to superior STEM education runs directly through the preparation of teachers. The Institute will empower teachers by leveraging cutting-edge technologies, innovative online offerings and the strength of a state-wide university presence to cultivate in students the wonder of discovery through hands-on labs and engaging curricula. Central to the strategy is the proven model of ?cascading mentorship,? whereby faculty mentor and instruct teachers, who in turn mentor and instruct college students through student teaching across the State. Sources include: USDA, 2020; Boyton & Hossain, 2010; Harmon & Smith, 2012; Stelmach, 2011; Kelly, 2016.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

One in three Oklahomans live in a rural community subject to existing economic headwinds that were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The contemporary workplace demands STEM-prepared individuals, and the lack of STEM education opportunities outside the State?s major urban centers threatens to render much of the State?s population even more susceptible to economic deprivation. When combined with institutional barriers to excellence in STEM teaching ? including factors such as human capital flight to urban areas, remoteness, and inadequate facilities ? the prospects for addressing near-term challenges in rural STEM preparedness appear bleak. Rural Oklahoma is home to a broad array of historically under-served communities ? including native and indigenous populations ? and the STEM Institute?s extension of teaching excellence will help rectify a decades-long disparity in quality education for some of the State?s least-advantaged families. Moreover, OSU?s commitment to working alongside community-based education entities ? including local schools, tribes and others ? positions the Institute to create durable solutions to the dearth of STEM opportunity in the State?s most vulnerable populations.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

As an R1 university with a comprehensive research program across disciplines, Oklahoma State University has robust mechanisms and standard research protocols in place for capturing information, measuring project performance and utilizing data from test subjects. Leveraging the strength of the University?s standard research processes, the College of Education and Human Sciences will collect, measure and assess the efficacy of the program?s impact.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma