Oklahoma STEM Program Newsletter: Local Resources and Guide

Oklahoma has the most dramatic natural science laboratory in the country above it in the sky. Tornado Alley is not just a weather phenomenon. It is an active research frontier that world-class scientists based in Norman are studying in real time. A STEM newsletter that connects your weather science unit to the National Severe Storms Laboratory down the road gives Oklahoma families a powerful picture of science as a living, local enterprise.

NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory

The National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma is NOAA's primary severe weather research institution. Scientists there study tornadoes, thunderstorms, and flooding using advanced instrumentation, radar systems, and computer modeling. The lab runs school education programs and is accessible to Oklahoma schools for visits and classroom connections.

The University of Oklahoma's School of Meteorology is one of the strongest in the country and is co-located in Norman. For students interested in atmospheric science and weather prediction, Norman is the center of the field.

Oil and gas: Oklahoma's STEM industry

Oklahoma has been producing oil since 1897. Devon Energy, ONEOK, Chesapeake Energy, and dozens of other energy companies are based in Oklahoma City. The oil and gas industry employs petroleum engineers, geophysicists, environmental engineers, and data scientists. For students in Oklahoma energy communities, connecting earth science, chemistry, and engineering to those career paths is both authentic and practical.

Wind energy growth in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has become one of the nation's top wind energy states. The same plains that create tornado conditions also create excellent wind resources. Wind energy engineering and grid management are growing career fields in Oklahoma, and the transition connects directly to the same physics and engineering skills that the oil and gas industry uses.

Tinker Air Force Base and aviation careers

Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City is the largest employer in Oklahoma and one of the largest logistics and maintenance centers in the US Air Force. It employs aerospace engineers, avionics technicians, computer scientists, and logistics specialists. The FAA Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City trains air traffic controllers and aviation safety inspectors. For Oklahoma students interested in aviation, these are local career destinations.

Template: Oklahoma STEM newsletter excerpt

"This semester our earth science class is studying atmospheric science and weather prediction. Oklahoma is one of the most important places in the world for this research because of our location in Tornado Alley. NOAA's Severe Storms Lab in Norman studies the same weather systems we are learning about. We have a meteorologist from the lab visiting in February to talk about careers in atmospheric science and how scientists track and study tornadoes. This is science happening right here in our state."

Oklahoma STEM competitions

Science Olympiad Oklahoma has active chapters and holds state competitions. FIRST Robotics Oklahoma teams compete in regional events. The Oklahoma Science Fair connects to ISEF. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State both host academic competitions for high school students. FFA technology and science competitions serve the state's large agricultural student population.

Daystage makes it easy to keep Oklahoma families connected to STEM programs, weather science events, and career opportunities throughout the school year.