Broken Arrow Students Prepare For National STEM Competition In Kentucky

Some students in Broken Arrow qualified for a national STEM competition later this month in Kentucky.

Thirteen students at Broken Arrow Public Schools qualified for the national Technology Student Association competition, where they will present their work ranging in everything from inventions to speeches.

At Broken Arrow's Vanguard Academy, a lot of work is being done to get ready for the TSA competition.

Students are putting final touches on their projects, like a model house, for a category called "Off the Grid."

“It has to be self-sustaining. So they're gonna have to have their own energy, their own water,” BA teacher and TSA Advisor Domonique Dibler said.

Down the hall, eighth Grader Presley Green is practicing a speech she wrote.

"There are many ways to make your mark on this world. It could be something good, bad, controversial or factual,” Green said as she rehearsed.

Tenth grade student Lizzie Grounds worked on a children’s story with another student wrote. Grounds went to nationals last year too.

"There's so many different people there and they're all so smart. And everybody at TSA really cares, just like, mostly about learning. They're like my knid of people and I love being in that environment,” Grounds said.

Ella Oliveria and her friend Sophia Abley will take their invention to nationals. They call it "The Loft Bag," to keep things organized on a top bunk bed or loft.

From using their words to making things work – they are all getting ready to compete.

"I am very proud of my kids,” Dibler said. “They're really hard workers and you know, it's not anything I'm doing. Like I give them the information and I say, 'hey do you wanna compete in this?' And then they build a love for it."

Students are accepting donations to help pay for their trip at the end of the month. They are having a car wash Friday, June 16 at 71st and Aspen from 10-3.