Delivering the STEM Boots: CEAT K-12 STEM impacting Oklahoma's future

Delivering the STEM Boots: CEAT K-12 STEM impacting Oklahoma's future

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | [email protected]

Whether it's a STEM camp in Stillwater, a science fair in rural Oklahoma or a STEM night in Oklahoma City, the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology K-12 STEM team has a mission: deliver the STEM boots to students statewide.

Since launching in 2022, the program has grown rapidly, increasing its direct impact from 6,565 students in 2022 to 21,648 in 2024.

The growth stems from hosting more events and camps - but also from personal commitment.

"My heart called me to do it," said Dr. Jovette Dew, CEAT K-12 STEM programs director. "I've always loved engineering and always loved kids. I have a strong desire to see students succeed."

Program Manager Brandy Mays echoed that mission. Growing up in a small town, she had little exposure to engineering and wants today's students to learn as much as possible.

"I don't remember a lot of opportunities to even learn what engineering was," Mays said.

This experience inspired the team to train counselors, urging them to consider pathways like engineering and architecture for students who excel in STEM.

Every activity the team creates has a background in STEM principles. Often, local industry partners sponsor camps, bringing professionals to teach the modules.

There is a critical need for this program. Oklahoma's economy suffers a large deficit in the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates each semester for the number of jobs open in the state. Strategic Advisory Board member Ed Stokes believes CEAT K-12 can help close the gap by championing the Oklahoma STEM Pipeline Partnership proposal.

The K-12 program lost its funding in early 2025 due to grant changes at the national level. That created a critical need for state and industry support to continue inspiring students.

"We are starting to see the scaffolding effect of students who see us," Dew said. "They are making plans to go to college, even making decisions as early as the fifth grade saying what they want to do."

TEACHING THE TEACHERS

CEAT K-12 has also dramatically expanded its professional development for teachers. Increasing from just 30 participants in 2022, attendance grew to 289 in 2024.

During these events, teachers of all subjects take on a student's mindset, experiencing the activities firsthand, and learning how to bring them into their classrooms.

A high priority for the team is making sure teachers can immediately implement an activity with no extra funding required by providing them with all the supplies needed.

THROUGH THEIR EYES

One irreplaceable piece to the puzzle is the program's interns; Oklahoma State University students travel with the team to work at STEM events throughout the year and run summer camps.

Their role supports a "near-peer" concept, where younger students can connect with interns on a level they might not be able to connect with a faculty member. This helps them become comfortable with the program and more willing to learn.

Former intern Katilynn Mar sees the benefits.

"Specifically, when it comes to engineers, they have the knowledge they want to share with the world, but when it comes to teaching younger kids, it's a little harder to make that connection for them," Mar said.

Mar encourages CEAT students to consider the internship.

"It is a great first internship to start working with a team and collaborating," Mar said. "This experience is something that I will hold deeply for the rest of my life, because not only did I get to work with kids, but I got to inspire kids, teachers, my bosses, and they've done the same for me."

Mays echoes how important the interns are.

"We rely on them. We can't do it without them," Mays said.

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

The team aims to launch an ambassador program that would train upper-middle and high school students to teach STEM activities in their communities, helping grow the program through indirect impact.

The team hopes to kick off the ambassador program next summer, offering scholarships to students who attend and continue their college career with CEAT.

"I think our main goal when we go into a camp is to show them the opportunity that exists for them," Mays said. "They might not know what engineering is, but we want to spark that interest."

Dew sees that spark firsthand through a snap circuit activity. When snaps are set correctly, a component turns on.

"Once they realize they can put the circuit together and it makes something happen, their eyes light up," Dew said. "That's my favorite moment, when they realize they can do it."