Rogers State University Technology & Justice Studies Department Head Dr. Curtis Sparling assists students at the recent Oklahoma Boys State in RSU’s fabrication lab. RSU hosted Oklahoma Boys State from May 25 through June 1, 2024. Sparling will be collaborating with the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee to develop the CMN’s fabrication lab for their new STEM building.
Rogers State University’s Technology and Justice Studies Department has received an $8,500 grant for STEM outreach.
The grant, from the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), came in support of RSU’s STEM community outreach efforts and has also enabled a partnership between RSU and the College of the Muscogee Nation.
“We’re collaborating with the College of the Muscogee Nation in relation to STEM, which will consist of us working with them to aid in designing and building a fabrication lab that is UAS (Unmanned Arial Systems)-centric for their (lecture hall) STEM building,” Dr. Curtis Sparling said. “A little over a month ago, they dedicated their new STEM building, and they reached out to me to work with them (at CMN) and their new (fabrication) lab.”
CMN faculty member Angie Sexton will be working in tandem with Dr. Sparling, as the college creates drone, programming, and similar STEM-related micro-credentials.
Of the collaboration, CMN President Monte Randall has previously said he is looking forward to working with RSU and other universities via the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium to create new opportunities for students.
“When the equipment arrives, I’ll be going to the CMN to help them build out their fabrication lab,” he said, “and from the grant we (RSU) received, we were able to purchase – thus far – 3D printers, upgraded our soldering stations, and we will continue doing more outreach in the form of summer camps.”
Dr. Sparling said his team should be involved with at least “two outreach events” over the course of the summer semester, with additional visits currently planned for the Lindsey House and the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges, both in Tulsa, among others.
“There’s so much about this that’s exciting – helping the College of the Muscogee Nation develop their own STEM programs, and out of which, we (RSU) received a grant, both of which will ultimately help create and foster an interest in science, technology, engineering and math fields for future learners,” he said. “What we – both RSU, CMN and any institute of higher learning that offers STEM – are doing is ultimately for the betterment of the population, helping prepare them to make a positive difference when they enter the workforce.”
Located in Okmulgee, the College of the Muscogee Nation has degree programs for students seeking careers in the tribal sector.
Rogers State University’s Department of Technology and Justice Studies offers a variety of STEM-related degrees, certificates and micro-credentials.
For more information, visit www.rsu.edu/TJS.