Oklahoma City Innovation District Offering Students Chance To Explore STEM Opportunities

The Oklahoma City Innovation District offered seventh graders from across the state an opportunity to explore opportunities working in STEM fields.

The district, which serves as a hub for STEM-related companies, hopes to give children the chance to explore fields they may end up working in.

DeAndre Martin, the Innovation District's director of partner engagement and special projects, said this event is a great collaborative opportunity for students and businesses.

"Think of the best of a career fair and science fair smashed together," Martin said. "We will have, throughout the week 1000 seventh graders here to really get hands on experience with our partners."

The Innovation District said it hopes that kids learn they can have incredible careers in STEM and be right here in the Oklahoma City metro.

"These kinds of events get people excited about what kinds of careers are here in Oklahoma," Martin said.

One attraction brought in from the Federal Aviation Administration, is one of their state-of-the-art AI simulators to show students that science and art can coexist. 

Classen SAS Middle School teacher April Gustafson said this event is something her students will remember,

"I know that it made an impact because this is our second year here," Gustafson said. "My students that are eighth graders this year were like 'when are we going back?'"

Gustafson also said the opportunity provides something otherwise unattainable in a classroom.

"Beyond what I can provide in a classroom, they can have a way deeper knowledge base than I can have time to reach everyone or have that knowledge myself," Gustafson said.

To learn more about the OKC Innovation District, click here.