Innovation Foundation partner, StillWonder, to receive EPSCoR funding for STEAM education

Innovation Foundation partner, StillWonder, to receive EPSCoR funding for STEAM education

Friday, January 24, 2025

Media Contact: Cody Cramer | The Innovation Foundation at OSU | 405-613-2838 | [email protected]

StillWonder, a nonprofit dedicated to STEAM education and partner of The Innovation Foundationat Oklahoma State University, recently received a $200,000 Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) award.

This funding represents a first step toward advancing hands-on, science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics learning opportunities statewide, with a particular focus on underserved and rural communities.

This award will launch key initiatives aimed at scaling statewide STEAM programming, enhancing workforce development and fostering collaborations between educational institutions, museums and community organizations. Through strategic mentorship, pilot programs and exploratory outreach, StillWonder will empower Oklahomans of all ages to be curious, think critically and become lifelong learners.

"This Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR funding is transformative, not just for StillWonder, but for Oklahoma's entire educational and cultural landscape," said Elizabeth Pollard, CEO of The Innovation Foundation. "By integrating the strengths of OSU and community collaborators, we're building a framework that will prepare the next generation of STEAM leaders and innovators."

The EPSCoR award will support a multi-phase initiative over 18 months. The project will begin with strategic planning and mentorship collaborations with nationally recognized institutions to design scalable, inclusive STEAM programs tailored to Oklahoma's unique needs. Pilot programs will follow, testing curricula through summer programs hosted at The Botanic Garden at OSU and Innovation Park at OSU.

These programs will engage underserved youth, families and educators while providing opportunities for feedback to refine curricula and delivery methods. Exploratory outreach will expand the reach of STEAM education through pop-up events in schools, libraries and community centers statewide. In addition, robust evaluation tools will be developed to measure program impact and guide continuous improvement.

"StillWonder's mission has always been about creating engaging, hands-on educational experiences that spark curiosity and learning," said Sara Brown, StillWonder executive director. "This award accelerates our ability to deliver those experiences to communities across Oklahoma, particularly those who need it most. This is just one more step to creating a children's museum concept here in Stillwater."

By the end of the project period, StillWonder aims to reach more than 500 participants statewide. They will establish interdisciplinary STEAM curricula that integrate environmental science, technology and arts-based learning. Strengthened partnerships among Oklahoma institutions will foster resource-sharing and innovation, while mentorship-driven workforce development strategies will help build a sustainable pipeline of STEAM educators and leaders.

This initiative underscores StillWonder's commitment to addressing educational inequities and enhancing workforce development in Oklahoma in partnership with The Innovation Foundation. The project aligns seamlessly with OSU's land-grant mission to empower communities and drive economic growth through research, teaching and Extension.

"This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation to solve complex challenges and create opportunities for all Oklahomans," Pollard said. "Together, we're not just building programs; we're building a better future for our state."

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