Girl Scouts Create Urban STEAM Camp

Girl Scouts Create Urban STEAM Camp

Oklahoma City’s high-tech destination is an all-girls inspiration

By Jessica Willingham

Lilly Thomson never considered becoming a scientist before Camp Trivera.

Camp Trivera is an urban STEAM campground founded by Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma in the heart of the Adventure District in Oklahoma City. The camp is designed to feature a STEAM surprise around every corner. Visible piping and wiring through walls highlight the mechanics of elevators or the science of a kitchen. Treehouses and hammock sleeping decks introduce camping skills and stargazing. A Thunder-branded basketball court and an indoor rock-climbing wall combines physics and geology. Scouts can hike or canoe on the camp’s 19 acres or learn aerodynamics by zip lining on the Monarch Flyway to the Oklahoma City Zoo, or visit neighboring Botanical Gardens, First Americans Museum and Science Museum.

But Camp Trivera’s most futuristic feature is the Wall of Women — an interactive, touchscreen mural highlighting international, national and local women in STEAM. Girls can meet virtual mentors like zoologists, geologists, oceanographers and aerospace engineers by clicking the screen and following their career paths before choosing a STEAM kit of camp activities based on a specific scientist’s research.

“Camp Trivera is about getting interested in things we otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to,” says Thomson, a career Oklahoma Girl Scout and top-selling cookie entrepreneur and leader who participated in the design process for the camp. “It’ll change my future and the future of every girl who comes to this camp.”

Thanks to Camp Trivera, Thomson says she might have a future in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM).

Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Girls of every background are invited to enroll in introductory STEAM programs starting at age 5 continuing to graduation from the organization at 17. In Oklahoma, 82% of the 12,000 Girl Scouts are from metro areas, with 67% living below the poverty line. Oklahoma Girl Scouts offers an introduction to possibilities never before seen at home or in school as well as access to mentors and career paths rarely thought possible.

“What girls will learn here will be building blocks for their brain,” Thomson says. “If we see it, we can be it.”

Selling Camp Cookieland

Oklahoma Girl Scouts Camp Cookieland in Newalla, Oklahoma, served scouts in all the classic ways since 1948. Girls earned badges through outdoor experiences like building fires and exploring nature. But when construction was routed through the camp in 2016, the organization sold Camp Cookieland to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for $3.2 million.

Selling the camp was a lesson in advocacy, says Melissa Pepper, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma chief development officer. Letting go of Cookieland meant envisioning a new camp to meet modern needs. To understand those needs, the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) annually reviews the “State of Girls” and provides data-driven information on the best ways to engage campers and guide programming. GSRI found that girls learn best in all-girl environments, where they feel safer to take risks, fail and try again. In these settings, girls also take on roles they may otherwise not in coed groups, says Pepper.

“The longer girls stay in Girl Scouts, the better they do in life, the better they are as community leaders, the better they are as philanthropists,” Pepper says. “Our research says if girls enjoy camp, they stay in Girl Scouts longer.”

To keep girls interested in Scouts, they have to love camp. So, the girls decided to engineer their own.

Creating Camp Trivera

Like everything in Girl Scouts, the way forward to a new camp was girl-led. Girl Scouts used the organization’s eight-step advocacy program to form committees and town halls. Troops toured potential site locations, brainstormed designs, and considered what organizations might fund their more than $13 million dream for a modern camp focused on girls in STEAM — the first of its kind nationally.

“There’s a huge deficit when you consider how many STEAM jobs are available compared to how many prepared individuals there are. The biggest gap is in women in STEAM,” Pepper says. “With this camp, we’re doing our part to help close that gap and support the STEAM industry, which ultimately supports Oklahoma’s economy.”

Girl Scouts designed Camp Trivera to blend STEAM programs and traditional camp experiences. The outdoor heated-pool hosts water aerobics class and underwater robotics competitions. Chemistry labs and STEAM learning centers offer lessons on cybersecurity to agricultural research.

STEAM camp meets one of Girl Scouts’ core visions for the future: to introduce 2.5 million girls to the STEAM workforce pipeline by 2025.

STEAM camp is a way to open up girls’ minds,” says Katie Francis, a Girl Scout alumnae and former girl representative on the board for Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma and the discovery team for Camp Trivera. “If you ask a sample group of boys and girls, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ You’ll see the gender gap. There’s a growing need for STEAM and jobs to be filled. To have the mindset to succeed in a STEAM field, girls need to be shown from a young age that this is possible.”

Pepper estimates 5,000 Girl Scouts will attend a day or overnight STEAM activity at Camp Trivera each year, with an estimated 10% yearly growth.

“Imagine if only 10% of campers get the STEAM bug each year. That’s 500 girls,” Pepper says. “Imagine the snowball effect year after year. We’ll see the growth of STEAM careers in girls from Oklahoma.”

The sale of Camp Cookieland, cookie sales, and individual and organizational donations funded the purchase of undeveloped land. In addition, educational programming support came from a number of organizations including The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, which awarded $50,000 to supply the camp’s laboratories and STEAM activity kits.

“We recognize that today’s students are the future for agriculture and our society,” says Stacy Newman, director of philanthropy for the Noble Foundation. “We want to do everything we can to help cultivate critical thinkers who understand and appreciate agriculture and the role of science in it.”

To The Future

After her experience helping design and then attend the new camp, Thomson applied to other STEAM programs. She is a top-scoring participant of the Naval Academy summer STEAM camp and is exploring new areas of science.

“I had not been involved in STEAM until this process,” Thomson says. “My advice is to always keep going. If there’s a block in the road, keep going. You can build your abilities higher than you ever thought possible.”

Camp Trivera opened in fall 2020. Troops nationwide can use the camp for day or overnight stays, and outside groups can rent the space for events at half capacity, providing sustainable funding for the camp’s operations during COVID-19 restrictions. Large rooms and spacious acreage offer visitors the opportunity to social distance while experiencing camp. The initial challenge of losing Camp Cookieland has transformed Oklahoma Girl Scouts camp to a high-tech destination, says Thomson.

“We did it,” she adds. “And now everyone can learn at this camp for decades to come.”

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Noble Scholarships Support Student Passionate About Ecology

Noble Scholarships Support Student Passionate About Ecology

A student with a passion for agriculture, academia and the environment receives double honors through Noble Foundation scholarships

By Katie Maupin Miller

The Oklahoma State University freshman spent her childhood tagging along with her ecologist parents. She scouted fields with her father, Brian, a rangeland consultant, as he visited with farmers and ranchers. Her mother, Amy, Noble Research Institute’s adult education manager, instilled in her the importance of teaching others about the world around them.

Land stewardship isn’t merely a family tradition for Hays; it’s her passion. And now thanks to the Noble Foundation and a double helping of scholarship support, Kendall Hays will pursue coursework in OSU’s natural resource ecology and management program.

Hays is only confirming her interest in her chosen field, which she views as the foundation for all agriculture. She is specializing in rangelands, or native grasslands, shrublands and forests, which can be intentionally managed with grazing animals to improve the quality of the land through a process known as regenerative ranching.

As a student looking at the finite resources of Earth and an ever-growing population, Hays sees land stewardship and ecological innovation as a way her generation can rise to combat the ecological challenges facing humanity. She also sees it as a spiritual calling, a profession that can draw her closer to God by caring for his creation.

“I think nature is the purest way to see God and all of his glory,” Hays says. “To be able to help protect the environment is an amazing calling.”

For now, Hays is furthering her education so she can better understand and share with others how to care for the land. She hopes to one day bring her education back to the same rural communities that have shaped her through the years. It’s a goal that made Hays stand out as the top choice for not one but two Noble Foundation scholarships: the Sam Noble Scholarship and the Noble Educational Fund Scholarship.

Kendall Hays received both Noble Foundation scholarships in 2020: the Sam Noble Scholarship and the Noble Educational Fund Scholarship.

Sam Noble's Scholars

The Sam Noble Scholarship was established through a $1.8 million bequest in 1992 from the late Sam Noble, son of founder Lloyd Noble. This gift was earmarked to encourage and enable outstanding young students like Hays in south-central and southeastern Oklahoma to pursue futures in agriculture or technology and to return to help better their rural communities.

According to Stacy Newman, Noble Foundation director of philanthropy, students applying for the Sam Noble Scholarship can pursue agriculture-related degrees at any college or university that offers a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree program. They can also pursue technical degrees from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee or Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City. Students must reside in one of 15 southern Oklahoma counties to apply.

The Sam Noble Scholarship considers each student’s abilities and plans for the future rather than financial need. An anonymous committee of agricultural stakeholders living in southern Oklahoma chooses the winners each year. It’s no easy task.

“When reviewing the applicants, we look for interesting individuals who appear to be motivated and have a passion for agriculture. This can be demonstrated through their coursework and extracurricular activities,” says one committee member. “We are looking for the best candidates for the scholarships, period. We are not required to lower our standard to find applicants to fit a quota.”

Since the first scholarship payment was made in August 1999, 244 scholarships have been awarded. That’s a total of about $2.4 million that has gone to furthering education in the next generation.

Sam Noble once said, “An education is something no one can take away from you.” His namesake scholarship not only offers students, like Hays, opportunities to further their education to give back through their future careers, but it also aligns with his father Lloyd Noble’s philanthropic legacy through the Noble Foundation to give back to agriculture and rural communities.

Noble Education

The Noble Educational Fund was established in 1969. The program provides merit-based scholarships to Noble-entity employees’ dependents (including Noble Research Institute and Noble Corporation), encouraging young people to pursue higher education. Up to 10 scholarships are awarded annually, depending on the number of applicants. Currently, winning students are awarded $20,000, paid out directly to the student at up to $5,000 per year.

“The Noble Educational Fund recognizes exemplary students of Noble employees with diverse backgrounds while considering academics, extracurricular involvement, work and volunteer experiences,” Newman says.

Like the Sam Noble Scholarship, Noble Educational Fund winners are selected by an anonymous committee of local community leaders. However, the committees for the two scholarships are separate and review applications for their respective scholarships independently of one another.

A Noble Educational Fund committee member explained their assessment of applicants looks at academics as well as leadership roles to evaluate a student’s commitment to taking the initiative and serving others.

“The Noble family and Foundation are about hard-working individuals who pursue a betterment in the community in which they operate,” the committee member says. “The pursuit of knowledge and an unquenchable thirst for being forward-thinkers has allowed Noble to be where it is today. I look closely at how an applicant will represent this in their industry.”

Oklahoma Envirothon is a team-based, high school competition for students to learn about the environment and the issues facing this and future generations.

Twice Is Nice

Rarely will a student win both Noble Foundation scholarships due to each award’s unique selection process, criteria and competitive nature. However, Hays’ academic excellence and commitment to the future of agriculture heralded her to the top of each selection committee’s list.

In the last 11 years, Hays is only the second student to achieve such an honor, Newman says. The accomplishment is so rare that many applicants don’t realize you can be awarded both scholarships. This was the case with Hays, who didn’t believe she had truly won both scholarships until Newman called asking if she had accepted them yet. Hays was confused because she had accepted one scholarship and thought she had completed the task. When Newman clarified that she had won both, Hays was overjoyed. Together, the scholarships amount to $40,000 of academic assistance, allowing Hays to focus solely on her studies. It’s an opportunity for which she expresses gratitude.

“On top of it being mind-blowing that I was chosen for these honors, the scholarships have made me more relaxed knowing I’m able to go to school, focus on my classes and take the burden off my parents,” Hays says. “I am so thankful to the Noble Foundation.”

While the scholarships may be different, they both serve an essential role in the Noble Foundation’s philanthropic mission for a better tomorrow.

“I believe the two scholarships celebrate and complement the Noble family’s philosophy,” Newman says. “The Nobles value education and hard work in the quest of excellence. They also honor the land and continue to always seek to protect, nurture and grow the finite resources we have.”

The Noble family has a deep-rooted belief in educational support. Their scholarship programs recognize students who understand the importance of big goals and aspire to make a difference in the world around them.

“There is a truism in the words of my grandfather Lloyd Noble: Life’s purpose is not found in gaining things for yourself but in giving to others,” says Susan Brown, chairman of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Board. “Individuals often evolve to this understanding. Gaining an education and skills to provide for a future is an essential need. We provide the Noble Foundation scholarships to assist students in achieving such education and essential skills. We hope they use this education and skills to gain experience and a broader viewer of the world. Hopefully, for some, they will find their way back to southern Oklahoma — armed with such perspectives and experience — to become a part of our communities, better them and find ways to give back to those around them.”

Hays has plans for just that.

Kendall Hays studies natural resource ecology and management, specializing in rangelands, at Oklahoma State University. She hopes to bring her education back to rural communities.

Giving Back

When asked how she’d like to make an impact in the world, Hays admits it’s a tall order for a college freshman. But, she also knows she can make significant changes one person at a time.

“I think I can be somebody who helps at least one person,” Hays reflects, musing that perhaps it will be someone on the street or a fellow student. “I don’t know if I can drastically change the world, but I know I can change a person’s world.”

Hays’ future aspirations include furthering her education beyond a bachelor’s degree before entering the field for some hands-on ecological experience. Eventually, Hays sees herself in the classroom, inspiring young people to care for the land.

Hays already recognizes the earth-shaking power of teachers. She’s had teachers who have pushed her to meet her goals, such as when she wanted to help Plainview High School students learn about the connection between agriculture and the environment.

Hays enlisted the help of one of her previous biology teachers and created the school’s first Oklahoma Envirothon team. Her efforts introduced more than 20 students to environmental studies, and her team’s effort garnered a placing at their first state competition.

“I’d love to be a teacher for common core students who are like, ‘I don’t know what to do with my life,’” she says. “I just want to help people and help my generation be more connected to the land.”

Noble Foundation Scholarship Quick Facts

Sam Noble Scholarships support students from southern Oklahoma as they strive toward achieving an associate degree in technology or bachelor’s and graduate degrees in numerous agriculture-related fields. 

Who qualifies to apply for a scholarship?

  • Applicants residing within one of 15 south-central and southeastern Oklahoma counties, including Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Choctaw, Coal, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, Murray, Pontotoc, Pushmataha and Stephens, are eligible to apply.
  • Students at any classification level — from incoming freshmen to graduate students.
  • Applicants enrolled in a college or university that offers a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in an agriculture-related discipline.
  • Applicants attending Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology – Okmulgee or Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City.

The Noble Educational Fund Scholarship Program is a merit-based, competitive scholarship program sponsored by The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation for eligible dependents of full-time employees of Noble entities.

Who qualifies to apply for a scholarship?

  • Dependents of a parent or legal guardian who is a full-time employee of any Noble entity (full-time employee of Noble Research Institute or Noble Corporation, or any of their wholly owned subsidiaries) and has a minimum of one (1) year of service on March 1 of the application year.
  • Applicants who are not older than 26 years of age on March 1 of the application year.
  • United States residents or citizens.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled or plan to enroll at an accredited United States college or university as a full-time undergraduate student (i.e., a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours of credit (or an equivalent) per semester) or full-time at an approved technical, vocational or other training institution for the following fall semester.
  • Previous applicants who are not currently receiving an award and meet the above criteria. A new application form must be completed.

How can I apply?

Students may apply online from Dec. 1 through March 1.

For more information on either scholarship, contact Sarah Johnson, program coordinator, at 580-224-6213, or email [email protected].

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Will Shelby Exemplifies the Passion and Heart of the Sam Noble Scholarship

Will Shelby Exemplifies the Passion and Heart of the Sam Noble Scholarship

By Tressa Lawrence

Growing up, Will Shelby could usually be found in a barn or somewhere surrounded by cattle. From his participation in 4-H meetings, livestock judging contests and FFA events, to helping out on his family’s cow/calf operation and tagging along on his dad’s veterinary calls, it is easy to see where Shelby’s passion for agriculture comes from.

Raised in Madill, Oklahoma, Shelby says being active in agriculture was the biggest influence in his life, and he credits much of his success back to that.

“Everything that I have accomplished so far, I can really trace back to things that I’ve learned from and gotten to do with 4-H and FFA, and just growing up in the ag industry. It’s something I really hold close to my heart,” he says.

Will Shelby guides a cow through the pens to the chute. He plans to pursue a career as a large animal veterinarian, specializing in bovine reproduction and embryo transfer.

These life experiences have opened many doors for Shelby. As a member of the 2020 Oklahoma State University Livestock Judging Team, he was the 5th highest individual overall and was named a Livestock Judging All-American at the 115th National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest. In 2021, he went on to be the assistant coach of the OSU livestock judging team.

Shelby is currently in his second year of veterinary school at OSU. One aspect that made him stand out as an applicant for this year’s Sam Noble Scholarship committee was his consistently maintained 4.0 GPA throughout his undergraduate degree and now in veterinary school.

“Will is a fantastic student. To me, he holds himself to a high standard because his goal is to graduate with a complete 4.0 GPA, which is awesome,” says Stacy Newman, director of philanthropy at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. “The current generation of college students have faced so much adversity, and Will rose above that. It never seemed to bother him.”

Will Shelby (left) is thawing an embryo as he prepares to perform ET. His dad, a veterinarian, standing by to help him with the process.

Impacting the Future of Agriculture

After completing veterinary school, Shelby plans to return to southern Oklahoma. He is passionate about the cattle industry, and he looks forward to working as a large animal vet who specializes in bovine reproduction and embryo transfers. He is also passionate about continuing to help youth within the agricultural industry, cultivating opportunities for future generations.

“After vet school, I’d really like to stay involved in livestock judging and the youth ag industry as much as I can. I think it’s something that’s so crucial to kids,” Shelby says. “Growing up, it’s something that made a huge difference for me. With the crazy world we live in, if you can just get a kid into an ag class or to join 4-H, I think it really can make such a big difference for them. I want to contribute to things like that as much as I can throughout my adulthood.”

Shelby has his own herd of club cattle that he sells prospect calves from every year. His voice lights up with excitement as he talks about his show calves and being able to help the young 4-H and FFA members who buy his livestock. Long after the calves leave Shelby’s family property, he continues to be involved with teaching the next generation of showmen and showwomen and ensuring their success. 

When asked why he wants to become a vet, Shelby spoke fondly of his childhood experiences riding along with his dad, who is also a veterinarian. It wasn’t necessarily the procedures or medical protocols that Shelby remembers, but the relationships and friendships that his father developed with different ranchers and stockmen throughout the area. 

“A big part that has always really interested me — and it may sound silly to some — is the interactions and relationships with people,” Shelby says. “I grew up watching my dad go and work cattle at someone’s ranch or farm. The interaction between cattle producers and veterinarians is something special.

“Getting to work alongside them, helping them improve and making their program more efficient is something that I’ve always thought was a neat aspect. I think that’s a big part of why I always wanted to be a veterinarian,” he says. “It will give me a great chance to not only be involved in that industry, but also work with people that I care about and meet other cattle producers.”

Will uses a portable ultrasound probe and headset with a digital display that allows him to see the ultrasound during the ET process. The cow is being held in place with a chute for safety.

The Legacy of the Sam Noble Scholarship

Shelby’s passions in life exemplify the goals of what the Sam Noble Scholarship hopes to accomplish, Newman says, so much so that he was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for his undergraduate studies and a $12,500 scholarship for his graduate school studies. 

“The intent of the scholarship is to support those who are continuing their education in an ag-related discipline who will come back to rural Oklahoma and make a difference in those communities,” Newman says.

The Sam Noble Scholarship was founded in the 1990s with the mission of supporting agricultural students from one of 15 designated counties in southern Oklahoma who plan to return to the area and work within the agricultural industry.

Recipients must be pursuing education in an agricultural field or pursuing a technology certificate. Since the first scholarship was awarded in 1999, more than $2.4 million has been awarded to students who exemplify the future of agriculture. The scholarships are awarded based on scholastic merit as well as the student’s essay responses. Students who show a passion for agriculture and a heart for their rural communities sort themselves to the top of the candidates, according to Newman. 

To find more information on the scholarship and if you are eligible to apply, visit https://noblefoundation.org/scholarships. The online application period for Fall 2023 scholarships opens January 1 and closes March 1.

Will Shelby updates breeding records as his father provides assistance. The genetic records will show which embryos went into which cow.

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Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics prepares the next generation of scholars

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics prepares the next generation of scholars

By Maggie Malson

Recognized as a top 1% U.S. high school and named “#1 Best Public High School” in the state by niche.com, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics has proven itself a valuable educational asset.

Since 1992, OSSM has graduated more than 1,900 high school students, with 85% of them maintaining a career in a STEM field after their post-secondary education and 60% remaining in or returning to Oklahoma.

“An emphasis on math and science is the direction the world is taking. If we want to maintain our leadership position in the world, we must have well-prepared scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, doctors, engineers and more,” says Edna Manning, interim president of OSSM. “It’s essential to national security and the gross production of what we do in this country. So much is based on technology. It takes good understanding of mathematics and science to make that technology possible.”

OSSM provides free public education with an emphasis on rigorous course work in math and science as well as humanities to qualifying juniors and seniors. Students from all 77 counties of the state have attended OSSM, which is located in Oklahoma City on a 32-acre campus. Regional centers scattered throughout the state also offer an option to rural students who want to complete more advanced classes while also staying at their home high school.

“There are good rural schools all over the state, but because of attendance numbers or financing, they can’t always offer some of the advanced courses we can or – due to the teacher shortage our nation is experiencing – they may not be able to fill positions for physics or chemistry teachers in the smaller districts,” Manning explains. “We’re an option for some of the very bright young people in our state who have an interest in science and math and have grown up in a rural community.”

OSSM President Edna McDuffie Manning, Ed. D., stands in front of the building named in her honor, the Manning Academic Center.

OSSM funding comes from the state, but it also relies on generous donations from individuals, foundations and corporations to offer a residential, college-like experience to its students.

“The Noble Foundation was one of the early contributors when the school was founded,” says Manning, who became the first employee and president of the school in 1988, serving in that role for 25 years. “They understood the need for more well-prepared scientists and their impact on the future of the state. What the Noble Foundation does is so vital to the scientific community, as well as to the welfare of the people.”

In its mission, the Noble Foundation supports charitable organizations that cultivate good health, support education and build stronger communities.

OSSM fits two of those categories — supporting education and building stronger communities,” says Stacy Newman, Noble Foundation’s director of philanthropy. The Noble Foundation also supports Noble Research Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Dr. Amy Roberson works with students in her Plant and Soil Science course, a class that is directly impacted by philanthropic funding from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. Dr. Roberson also teaches courses in endocrinology, embryology, genetics and microbiology.

“Noble Research Institute assists farmers and ranchers as they regenerate the land in a profitable manner,” she adds. “We understand in order to continue the Institute’s mission and vision, we have to get students interested in math and science at a young age.”

OSSM provides a unique learning experience and fills a void. If, for example, students in a public or private school complete the highest level of math or science their school has to offer, they can apply to OSSM. Not only is OSSM free to Oklahoma residents, but it gives these students, who wish to excel further in math and science, courses that are taught at higher levels than in traditional public schools.

“In two years, we try to give students a solid background in mathematics and the sciences,” Manning says. “We require biology, physics and chemistry for every student. We try to set them on the path of being scholars and being successful people, not only because of their knowledge base, but also in their ability to learn.”

Since 1994, the Noble Foundation has granted $875,000 to OSSM. The funding contributed to the construction of buildings early on, providing teacher workshops and supplies, and in recent years, supplementing faculty salaries. The grant money helps OSSM retain a high-quality teaching staff, with 90% of the faculty holding doctorate degrees in their respective academic fields.

Amy Roberson, Ph.D. in cell biology, has been teaching at OSSM since 2011. Her classes include plant and soil science, microbiology, molecular and cellular biology, human biology, endocrinology, embryology and genetics.

“I worked closely with Noble Research Institute to develop a plant and soil science course to bring more agriculture into the classroom,” Roberson says. “Some of our students who have taken the plant and soil class go on to study environmental science, plant science or environmental engineering.”

Noble Foundation paid for her to attend a Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Institute, which is a two-week summer course that provides hands-on labs and activities teachers can incorporate into their classrooms.

 “We get students from diverse backgrounds, both from rural and urban areas,” she adds. “It makes it challenging as a teacher, but also creates a unique environment for learning and in-depth discussions. I probably learn from the students as much as they learn from me. These students are quick learners, ask tough questions and not only excel in math and science, but many are also talented writers, musicians and artists.”

Calculus and physics teacher Tony Cornforth, with an M.S. in mathematics, echoes Roberson’s thoughts about OSSM students.

“The students who decide to come to OSSM are characterized by a greater desire to focus on academics, as well as having academic ambition,” Cornforth says. “They are here because they want to go to a Top 50 university and want to pursue a career in a STEM field that is lofty, interesting and lucrative. These students are highly motivated in their studies.”

Many of the students he teaches go on to pursue careers in the medical, engineering and computer science fields.

OSSM provides transformational growth and positions students for a rewarding career,” Cornforth says. “It does more than increase their knowledge. They learn time and stress management, how to be disciplined and to live in a community with culturally, religiously and racially diverse people. It’s a whole element of character development and personal growth for our students on top of the academic gains they experience.”

Cornforth adds that they are maturing not only as students, but also as people.

“It’s rewarding and satisfying to see as a teacher,” he says. “Hopefully that growth doesn’t stop, but continues into college and their career.”“We know there are many bright, young people all over the state of Oklahoma,” Manning concludes. “We typically have about 140-150 students on campus, but our facilities were built to allow for up to 280 students. We are ready to grow and be able to reach more students.”

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Cities in Schools partners elementary kids with HS mentors to foster success

Cities in Schools partners elementary kids with HS mentors to foster success

By Katie Maupin Miller

Goals aren’t one size fits all, and neither are the paths to pursue them.

Cities in Schools (CIS) empowers young people to overcome obstacles in their pursuit of education and build new relationships along the way. 

“Cities in Schools want to cultivate success stories from each kid,” says Mikinzie Price, CIS executive director. “It is our goal to support each student on their path. Meeting them where they are and letting them know we’re there with you.”

Once an off-site afterschool and summer program, CIS saw a need in its community after the pandemic left gaps in elementary education. The familiar routine and meaningful social interactions most students found in the classroom were missing when in-person schooling was shuttered during the COVID-19 scramble. So, in the fall of 2021, Cities in Schools pivoted to the current service-learning program, a cost-free mentoring program pairing at-risk elementary school children with high school students.

“The overall goal would just be to support kids who don’t have a lot of support or have something missing in their lives,” says John Silver, Plainview Elementary vice principal and CIS liaison. “Whether the students need academic help, or maybe they have a harder home life, or whatever it is, there’s a wide range; we want to come alongside them and connect to them with a role model.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday, the high school students, fondly called “bigs,” set up their classroom and prepare for their “littles” to arrive. More than 40 high school students participate in the program, sharing a snack with their mentees and working on homework before enjoying a fun activity together — ranging from Dr. Seuss rap battles to constructing towers out of spaghetti noodles.

While the program’s schedule may seem straightforward, the relationships fostered within CIS make it magical. Each elementary student works to improve areas they struggle with, whether it is multiplication tables or making new friends at the lunch table.

The compassionate, driven group of high school mentors showcase the diverse paths young people can take to success. The older students come from a plethora of backgrounds and interests — athletes, artists, “techies” and musicians — all modeling a love for learning and connection-building. Regardless of their chosen career path, graduating mentors are eligible for scholarships awarded by CIS, which can be used to pay for college tuition or tools for technical school. It’s the diversity of the CIS program and the individual assistance it provides young people which makes the program unique.

Each semester students submit surveys to summarize their mentoring experience. Most write fondly of interacting with their mentors, improving their reading and learning new things. One response in particular captured the power of the relationships forged during CIS.

What’s the best thing about mentoring? One elementary student answered, “Playing outside and doing homework and him helping me. He makes me happy when I almost get a little bit angry.”

Stacy Newman, the board chairman of Cities in Schools, said the mentoring program is successful because it’s not just focused on academics – but connects teens and youngsters personally.

“If a student is having a bad day and just needs someone to talk to, CIS mentors are available,” she said. “There is still an academic component, but we let the Bigs set the curriculum for that mentoring session. We keep the students between the lines while allowing flexibility with each mentor to determine the direction of the session. The high school mentors have done amazing work and are beginning their path of pay it forward charitable giving.” The mentors work hard to help the younger children, but they learn a lot about responsibility, building relationships and themselves in the process.

“I love hanging out with the kids and always be(ing) able to make them smile…and help(ing) them not worry about anything at least for a little while,” one high school student wrote.

As CIS executive director, Price sees firsthand the difference it makes in the lives of young people. She hears about their improved schoolwork, sees how they make new friends and receives gracious emails from parents writing to say the program gave them back their Thursday evenings to focus on family.

“I think that as a society, we sometimes forget how great challenges can be when you’re little. It is tough navigating a world that you’re trying to figure out. They’re doing that at 7 years old, and we expect them to do it easily,” Price says. “We must be conscious that they’re learning, adapting to so much and overcoming daily challenges. I’m in awe of the littles and bigs. I think each kid’s challenges are individual to them. It may be not having as many school supplies or overcoming a learning disability.”

Helping young people tackle everyday challenges so they can focus on achieving their goals is the core of CIS’ mission. From the widely successful service-learning program, now offered in two local schools, to creating resource rooms for students and staff. Price, her board, the school staff and CIS liaisons are listening to their community to provide for south central Oklahoma’s young people. And such an ambitious mission wouldn’t be possible without support.

Mentors and mentees from Plainview schools prepare to sing Christmas carols for residents of Southbrook Healthcare.
Mentors from Plainview High School work with mentees from Plainview Elementary schools to tutor students individually and work with them in group activities.

Supporting Education

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has granted CIS more than $500,000  during the last two decades to support the organization’s mission to enhance literacy in a safe, nurturing environment. CIS’ goals go hand-in-hand with the Noble Foundation’s values, which support the Noble Board’s vision to cultivate good health, support education and build stronger communities through philanthropy and charitable grants.

Cities in Schools’ recent pivot to an in-school mentoring program rather than an off-site afterschool program excited the Board, which encourages nonprofits to constantly find new ways to meet the needs of their community. Stacy Newman, who also serves as the Director of Philanthropy for the Noble Foundation, said the foundation supported Cities in Schools’ evolution.

“The foundation was very pleased that Cities in Schools was forward-thinking while coming out of the pandemic and found a path to stay plugged into our community.” 

CIS participants gather at Southbrook Healthcare to carol for residents as part of their community service outreach.

Newman said the CIS program shift to mentoring came after the Cities in Schools Board of Directors asked how the organization could better serve the community and continue when faced with the pandemic and remote learning challenges. The CIS Board took a leap of faith into an area that, in our community, was missing. Newman said that by turning to mentoring, especially during remote learning, Cities in Schools began to address a much-needed issue in the Ardmore area.

“We felt we could better serve the community by partnering with the local schools,” she said.

While the Noble Foundation has strong ties to the Ardmore area, nonprofits and government subsidiaries inside the U.S. are welcome to submit letters of inquiry through the Foundation’s online grant management system from Jan. 1 through June 30 each year. These letters will be reviewed before the formal distribution of grant applications. 

Price is grateful for the Noble Foundation’s continued support of CIS.

“Noble’s support and kindness have just been grounding and stabilizing,” she says. “It encourages us to keep going daily when you have people in your corner like Noble.”

With community support from organizations like Noble, Cities in Schools can continue to provide opportunities for young people.

Perhaps Silver summarized it best.

“The heart of this program is just helping kids, meeting needs and reaching out to those who need.”

Mentors and mentees play games together.

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