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News Releases

Recent Professional Development workshops held at Puterbaugh and Indianola

May 14, 2019

Shown below are photos from recent Professional Development workshops provided by GEAR UP staff at Puterbaugh Middle School and Indianola Public Schools. Puterbaugh Middle School teachers watch a video during the recent Love and Logic professional development workshop presented by GEAR UP Education Coordinator Brianna Brassfield. Brassfield presented Unit 5, Developing Positive Teacher/Student Relationships. The workshop was provided free to the partner school faculty and administration. In 2017, Eastern received a $17 million GEAR UP

Lane GEAR UP students tour Southeastern Oklahoma State University

May 13, 2019

Seventeen GEAR UP students from Lane recently traveled to Durant to tour SOSU (Southeastern Oklahoma State University). The eighth grade students were met by Transfer Student Recruiter Charles Jackson who works in the University’s Admissions Office. After a brief introduction, Jackson led the students on a tour of the campus. The day began with a tour of SOSU’s athletic facilities including the newly-remodeled baseball venue which has been renamed Mike Metheny Field in honor of

Wilburton seventh and eighth grade students tour the Tulsa Zoo

May 13, 2019

Wilburton seventh and eighth Grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Tulsa Zoo. The 85-acre, non-profit Zoo is home to various types of wildlife. Students roamed, ran, and played while learning about various species. The Zoo has many different exhibits with animals housed in recreated natural environments. The students explored several various exhibits such as the Robert J. LaFortune Wild Life Trek. This exhibit is a four-building complex that focuses on animals from around the

Panola GEAR UP students toured the Fort Smith National Historic Site

May 13, 2019

Panola seventh and eighth-grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Cody Faber, a Ranger at the Parks Department, was the guide. Students were led through the grounds where they saw first-hand where history was made. Students had read True Grit by Charles Portis, so they got a better understanding of the historical events. They toured the jail, Judge Parker’s courtroom, and the gallows. Students viewed

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP team attends the 2019 Rural College Access and Success Summit

May 13, 2019

Three Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP team members recently attended the 2019 Rural College Access and Success Summit at The Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Over 500 educators from across the United States attended the Summit. Team GEAR UP team members attending were Education Coordinator LaDonna Baldwin, Education Coordinator Leslie Hemphill, and Assistant Project Director Dara Self. The opening plenary began with a sophomore at Utah State University, Kendall Montoya. Montoya shared insights

Atoka GEAR UP students tour the Durant State Fish Hatchery

May 10, 2019

Seventy-seven GEAR UP students from McCall Middle School in Atoka recently visited the Durant State Fish Hatchery located near Durant. The seventh and eighth grade students toured portions of the 350-acre facility while learning the role of the largest hatchery in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. Students began the day exploring the catfish barn. Rebecca Fillmore, along with other hatchery technicians, described the process for researching and growing the millions of bass that are used

Hartshorne seventh grade GEAR UP students tour Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium

May 6, 2019

Forty-five Hartshorne seventh grade GEAR UP recently toured the Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. Membership Coordinator Madeline Butler began by dividing the students into two groups in an effort to ensure students a better learning environment. Planetarium Manager Bryan Kyle began his portion of the tour in the James E. Bertelsmeyer Planetarium. Students watched a movie, “Stars,” on a full-dome screen. Kyle discussed the night sky and educated students on the difference between

Cameron GEAR UP students tour The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium

May 6, 2019

Twenty-six Cameron GEAR UP students recently traveled to The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium. Upon arrival, students were greeted by volunteer and Vietnam Veteran Doug Hill. The first stop was a hot air balloon display. Originally called smoke balloons, Hill explained that the balloons were once made of canvas and sealed with beeswax to seal the pores of the fabric. The balloon was inflated from heat of a nearby fire which was covered

Buffalo Valley students tour Oklahoma Baptist University and the Oklahoma City Zoo

May 6, 2019

Students from Buffalo Valley recently toured Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. Students arrived at the Bailey Business Center and were greeted by tour guide Lily Huff, a freshman Communications major with a double minor in English and French. Huff crisscrossed campus taking students to many buildings including Montgomery Hall where Bible classes are held; “The Rock,” the campus Fitness Center; the cafeteria which houses both a Chick-fil-A and a Starbucks; The Mabee Learning Center where

Coalgate GEAR UP students tour East Central University

May 6, 2019

Eighty-one GEAR UP students from Coalgate recently traveled to Ada to tour the campus of ECU (East Central University). The seventh and eighth grade students were greeted by Admissions Recruiter Alyson Chapman inside the Bill S. Cole University Center. Chapman, a Coalgate alumnus, gave a brief overview of collegiate life at ECU and the benefits of attending a smaller university located close to home. She stated that 50 percent of ECU’s students graduate debt free

Keota GEAR UP eighth grade students visit the Tulsa Zoo

May 6, 2019

Twenty Keota eighth grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to the Tulsa Zoo. Students visited the different exhibits, including The Lost Kingdom, African Plains, Asia, Children’s Zoo, Chimpanzee Connection, Mary K. Chapman Rhino Reserve, Helmerich Sea Lion Cove, and The Rainforest. The Zoo is home to a variety of animals, including a red panda, snow leopard, aldabra tortoises, African Painted dogs, giraffes, meerkats, lions, and primates. Students learned about the Aldabra tortoises, the second-largest species

Fanshawe GEAR UP students tour the University of Arkansas

May 6, 2019

Fanshawe seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Fayetteville to tour the University of Arkansas. The presentation began in Silas H. Hunt Hall with a video about the U of A. The admissions office is housed in this building, and students were given information about the writing center, student organizations, degree programs, scholarships, study abroad opportunities, and the admission process. The tour began in the Arkansas Student Union. The Union contains many

Quinton GEAR UP students tour at Eastern Oklahoma State College

May 6, 2019

Quinton seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Wilburton to tour Eastern Oklahoma State College. Eastern Oklahoma State College is a public community college, offering associate degree and certification programs. The students visited the Nursing Department, radio station, Science Department, and the Bill H. Hill Library. Recruiter Karen Darby led the tour and spoke to the students about the importance of college and the opportunities that Eastern can give them because it

Indianola seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students tour East Central University

May 6, 2019

Twenty-eight Indianola seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students recently toured ECU (East Central University) in Ada. Students began the day by dividing into three groups, each being guided by an ECU Recruiter, Alyson Chapman, Claudio Harvey, or Kelsey Miller. Students took a walking tour of the campus, learning about many aspects of campus life. “Studies show your grades are better and you stay in school to complete your degree program when you’re active in

Haileyville seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students tour Northeastern State University

May 6, 2019

Thirty-six Haileyville seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students recently toured NSU (Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah. Students began the day at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center where they were greeted by NSU Campus Visit Program Graduate Assistant Gabby Clayton and NSU Representatives Kaylee Switzer and Cash Bridges. Bridges presented students with an overview of NSU, including information about admissions and scholarships, campus life activities, and degree programs. After the presentation, students began

Porum seventh graders tour Rogers State University and Will Rogers Memorial Museum

May 6, 2019

Thirty-eight Porum GEAR UP students recently visited RSU (Rogers State University) and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Students began the morning at Rogers State University. Campus Visits & Events Coordinator Addison Murray welcomed students to RSU. University Recruiters Jake Swincegood and Rachel Smith gave students a quick overview of RSU admissions, financial aid availability, student organizations and program options. Students were given souvenir bags with RSU info and goodies. After the presentation, students

Crowder seventh and eighth graders tour Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

April 11, 2019

Forty-six seventh and eighth grade Crowder GEAR UP students recently toured ORU (Oral Roberts University) in Tulsa. Student Ambassadors Rosa Beitia (a Medical Molecular Biology senior from San Antonio, TX) and Marc Swanner (a Ministry and Leadership/Business Management freshman from Greenville, NC) welcomed Crowder students to the Global Learning Center before starting the tour. Student Ambassadors gave visitors an overview of the campus and life as a student at ORU. While college students each choose

Porum eighth graders tour Rogers State University and Will Rogers Memorial Museum

April 8, 2019

Forty-one Porum GEAR UP students recently visited RSU (Rogers State University) and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore. Students began the morning at Rogers State University inside Markum Hall where the Admission office is located. Campus Visits & Events Coordinator Addison Murray welcomed students to RSU. She began her welcome with a short presentation titled “College Prep,” an overview of things to know that can help students plan and prepare for after high school.

LeFlore GEAR UP students visit the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

April 8, 2019

LeFlore seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students recently visited the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Nature Center located in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center sits on 170 acres of land in Fort Smith that were previously part of Fort Chaffee. Exhibits play a large part in the nature center. In addition to the interactive displays and exhibits, the center houses a classroom for educational programs such as the Hunter’s

Poteau seventh grade girls tour the Oklahoma Aquarium

April 3, 2019

Sixty-nine Poteau GEAR UP seventh grade students recently traveled to Jenks to visit the Oklahoma Aquarium. The aquarium allowed students to self-explore the nine exhibits it houses, including the most recent exhibit, the Polynesian Reef. There are several touch tanks that allow students a hands-on experience with aquatic creatures. The Polynesian Reef exhibit is home to many species of fish and coral. Yellowtail coris can be found in this exhibit. In order to maximize their

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News Releases

Recent Professional Development workshops held at Puterbaugh and Indianola

Lane GEAR UP students tour Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Wilburton seventh and eighth grade students tour the Tulsa Zoo

Panola GEAR UP students toured the Fort Smith National Historic Site

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP team attends the 2019 Rural College Access and Success Summit

Atoka GEAR UP students tour the Durant State Fish Hatchery

Hartshorne seventh grade GEAR UP students tour Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium

Cameron GEAR UP students tour The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Planetarium

Buffalo Valley students tour Oklahoma Baptist University and the Oklahoma City Zoo

Coalgate GEAR UP students tour East Central University

Keota GEAR UP eighth grade students visit the Tulsa Zoo

Fanshawe GEAR UP students tour the University of Arkansas

Quinton GEAR UP students tour at Eastern Oklahoma State College

Indianola seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students tour East Central University

Haileyville seventh and eighth grade GEAR UP students tour Northeastern State University

Porum seventh graders tour Rogers State University and Will Rogers Memorial Museum

Crowder seventh and eighth graders tour Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

Porum eighth graders tour Rogers State University and Will Rogers Memorial Museum

LeFlore GEAR UP students visit the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

Poteau seventh grade girls tour the Oklahoma Aquarium

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