Powering Possibility: New STEM Center Empowers Girls to Dream Big

Lily Baughan

July 28, 2025

On a bright Oklahoma morning, Girl Scouts in green sashes huddled around robots and coding kits, their eyes lighting up with every new discovery. Behind them stood a united team of leaders and visionaries, ready to unveil a bold new chapter in STEM Education. In a powerful display of partnership and purpose, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, and Devon Energy, recently celebrated the opening of a brand-new STEM Center at Camp Trivera in Oklahoma City. This hands-on learning lab is designed to spark curiosity and confidence in the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The Ribbon Cutting ceremony welcomed local Girl Scouts, community leaders, and partners to an exciting morning filled with interactive STEM demonstrations, student-led exploration, and a shared vision: building brighter futures through education and opportunity.

“This STEM Center represents more than just a room with exciting equipment, it’s a gateway to opportunity,” said Holly York, STEAM specialist at Camp Trivera. “Thanks to the generosity of Devon Energy and the Ripken Foundation, we’re giving girls the tools and confidence to dream bigger and pursue futures in STEM.”

From 3D printers and Snap Circuits to Indi Cars and Bee-Bots, the new space is equipped with interactive learning tools that make STEM engaging and accessible, turning curiosity into capability. Each piece of technology is supported by lesson plans and educator training developed by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to ensure long-term success.

“STEM is at the core of Devon’s work and success, and we know how important it is to expose students to these concepts early,” said Catherine Oster, mid-continent asset manager at Devon Energy and former president of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma. “We’re proud to partner in creating a space where girls can explore, lead, and build a strong foundation for the future. Girls don’t always see women in STEM, so by doing this, by investing in this, coupled by our wall of women, they can go and see women in these professions and know that it’s possible.”

This Center marks another milestone in a growing initiative. To date, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Devon Energy have helped install over 190 STEM Centers across five states, bringing our total to 745 STEM Centers in 25 states. The Camp Trivera location uniquely reflects the shared mission of the three organizations: to foster curiosity, leadership, and confidence in young women by giving them access to high-quality STEM education. Through this Center, we hope to ignite a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math in girls, and to equip them with the tools and confidence to lead in those fields.

“We believe every child deserves access to educational resources that inspire and empower them,” said Elise Lee, senior vice president of resource development at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “We’re honored to help bring this STEM Center to life for the Girl Scouts at Camp Trivera.”

With every button pressed, robot coded, and designed imagined, these girls aren’t just learning but growing. Together, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Devon Energy, and Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma are opening doors, and minds, to a future where every girl has the opportunity to lead, create, and thrive.