NSU-Broken Arrow opens STEAM Maker Lab

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) - Northeastern State University will celebrate the grand opening of the Broken Arrow STEAM Maker Lab Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 239 of the Education Building on NSU's Broken Arrow campus.

This endeavor is a part of the Robotics Academy of Critical Engagement. RACE is a program which houses robotics in the College of Education and provides STEAM opportunities at NSU and in the surrounding community.

The Tahlequah STEAM Maker Lab, with Barbara Fuller as director, celebrated its first anniversary in September with tremendous success. The lab has served over 2,500 PK-12 students, in-service teachers, pre-service teachers and community members within the last year.

The decision was made to open a Broken Arrow lab allowing the same opportunities. Jericho Hobson will oversee the lab. Hobson also oversees the Teaching & Urban Reform Network as part of the clinical experience for pre-I interns. The lab will place a special emphasis on urban education and how NSU's pre-service students and community can use resources to meet the needs of students in urban areas.

The College of Education is so excited to offer STEAM and robotics opportunities on the Broken Arrow campus, said College of Education Dean Vanessa Anton. Not only can this heighten interest in the STEAM fields, it can facilitate critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills in pre-service teacher candidates, in-service teachers and in their current and future P-12 students.

Both STEAM Maker and Robotics Labs are equipped with low technology materials, as well as emerging technologies and are open to community, teachers and students for free.