From the Nerd Herd — November 2025
Earlier this month, members of our team traveled to the annual STEM Learning Ecosystems Convening of Practice, a gathering where ecosystems from across the country come together to learn, share, and collaborate. We returned inspired, energized, and more committed than ever to the unique work happening right here in Oklahoma.
Some solutions extend beyond the school day. Students who engage in out-of-school experiences aligned with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are more likely to meet college readiness benchmarks and envision themselves in careers where women and students from Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities are underrepresented. Hands-on, identity-shaping STEM experiences boost confidence, competence, and college readiness.
From the Nerd Herd — October 2025
At Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, we know mentorship changes everything. When students connect with mentors who reflect their identities, share their experiences, or simply open their eyes to new possibilities, they start to see themselves in STEM. That shift in STEM identity—believing “I am a STEM person”—is one of the most important ways we measure the success of our programs.
Some solutions extend beyond the school day. Students who engage in out-of-school experiences aligned with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are more likely to meet college readiness benchmarks and envision themselves in careers where women and students from Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities are underrepresented. Hands-on, identity-shaping STEM experiences boost confidence, competence, and college readiness.
From the Nerd Herd — STEMtember 2025
Nearly every headline about education reminds us of the urgent need to strengthen our schools. Excellent educators, high-quality materials, and well-resourced classrooms are essential; however, progress is remarkably slow. In the meantime, I am deeply grateful for the persistence and brilliance of our school leaders and staff who show up every day for students.
Some solutions extend beyond the school day. Students who engage in out-of-school experiences aligned with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are more likely to meet college readiness benchmarks and envision themselves in careers where women and students from Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities are underrepresented. Hands-on, identity-shaping STEM experiences boost confidence, competence, and college readiness.
From the Nerd Herd — August 2025
I’m incredibly proud and humbled to share that since becoming our own nonprofit in 2017, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, in collaboration with our partners, has reached 1,000,000 youth! Just think about that for a moment. That’s one million new STEM experiences across Oklahoma that inspired, engaged, and prepared Oklahoma youth for a STEM-enabled future. Each one of those moments, from lessons to mentor relationships and hands-on experiences, is a testament to what we can accomplish together when we lean into the power of our STEM ecosystem.
From the Nerd Herd — March 2025
I’ve been reflecting on what makes TRSA so special. It’s not just about the programs or initiatives; it’s about the heart of our community. It’s about the feeling of connection, of shared purpose, and of knowing that we’re all in this together. That’s why we selected “Together, We Create Possibility” as our value statement. That belief has driven us to refine our partnership approach.
From the Nerd Herd — February 2025
Before I became a Project Manager at Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, I was a middle school STEM teacher and led an after-school Girls’ STEM Club in Claremore Public Schools. In late 2019, I went to a TRSA SeaPerch training – I had no idea what SeaPerch was before that, and had to do a little research to figure it out. But after the full-day training, I knew this underwater robotics competition would be a fantastic opportunity for my Girls’ STEM Club.
Digital Badge and PEAR: Update & New Cohort Deadline
Over the course of 2023, we have been developing the foundation for digital badges, working with our first cohort of partners to determine the best methods to award badges and measure their impact within our ecosystem. Partners collected data and student artifacts from summer camps and we will be collectively deciding on the framework for […]
Join our Meteorology Curriculum Coalition
We are excited to announce a collaborative effort to design a curriculum alongside the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) at the University of Oklahoma. Background Weather connects people of all ages, races, nationalities, genders, and socioeconomic status. Experts report that severe weather’s impact is disproportionately harmful to socially vulnerable […]
We need YOU to gain MOMENTUM!
Emerging as a need from multiple community members, the new Collective Impact program called MOMENTUM is focused on providing evidence of skills earned by youth in the form of digital badges, formalized and impactful partnerships across our ecosystem, results-driven data and evaluation opportunities, and resources and funding to ensure STEM is everywhere. The first phase […]
Announcing STEM Hub: Central Tulsa
Dear STEM Champions, Following the launch of the STEM Hub: North Tulsa, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance will launch our second STEM Hub in the coming months in Central Tulsa. Thanks to a new partnership with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa, a portion of the Tandy Family YMCA will soon be filled with STEM programming for […]