Thirty-five teachers from across Oklahoma participated in a day-long Professional Development Workshop hosted by the Southwest Alliance for Girls Enrichment in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Humanities, and Mathematics (SAGE STEAM) at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Weatherford campus on Saturday, Feb. 3.
These educators, spanning various disciplines including STEM, art, literature, languages, social studies, and more, teach 4th to 9th-grade students. The workshop provided strategies on integrating and funding lessons featuring more than one STEAM area into their classrooms, aligning with the mission of supplementing STEM education for Oklahoma students. Ultimately, SAGE STEAM seeks to enable and encourage Oklahoma students to appreciate and pursue STEAM-related careers.
Sessions included “writing in the day” with Dr. Jolie Hicks from the SWOSU Department of Language and Literature, “grant writing” with Dr. Lori Gwyn from the SWOSU Office of Sponsored Programs, and integrated math and science lessons facilitated by three K-12 teachers and Dorinda Risenhoover from the NASA Oklahoma STEM Engagement Center. Other program leaders included SAGE STEAM Camp Director Dr. Lisa Appeddu from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy, Camp Treasurer Mrs. Kathy O’Neal from the SWOSU Department of Mathematics, Dr. Marla Pankratz from the SWOSU Department of Education, and Camp Workshop Coordinators Dr. Denise Landrum-Geyer and Dr. Taylor Orgeron from the Department of Language and Literature.
The Educators Professional Development Program, launched in 2021, aims to equip K-12 teachers with resources and contacts to enhance STEM/ STEAM education in their classrooms. These educators participate in a one-day workshop during the spring semester and a two-day session during the SAGE STEAM Camp at SWOSU during the summer. In turn, each teacher receives a stipend, room and board, and a spending allowance for supplies. They also benefit from networking opportunities with fellow educators and STEAM professionals.
The SAGE STEAM team hoped to create a humanizing experience for educators, valuing their expertise, supporting them with community building, and fostering an environment that prioritized the Ethics of Care. A participant named Donna Cook, a 26-year career teacher, noted, “In all my years, I can count on one hand the PD workshops that kept me engaged in every session.” She continued, “Well done SWOSU SAGE STEAM Team. Well done.”
The program is made possible by support from Devon, OK INBRE, the City of Weatherford Hotel/ Motel Tax Grant, and SWOSU.
