For the students of Dunbar Elementary, TSA (Technology Student Association) is more than just a club – it’s a platform for discovery, creativity and community. From building mousetrap cars to designing children’s books, these young tech enthusiasts are proving that the future of STEM is bright in Okmulgee.
— What Is TSA?
The TSA program, spearheaded by dedi- cated advisor Courtney Norton, is a student-led organization that helps young minds explore the world of science, technology, engineering and math. It’s about more than just competitions – it’s about building leadership, confidence and problem-solving skills.
As Norton explained, “For the past two years, we’ve worked on earning the Gold Chapter of Excellence. That’s a combination of managing funds, community service, leadership and technical competitions.”
— Learning by Doing
Each TSA student has a unique story of how the program has impacted their lives: • Braylon – Known for his mechanical mindset, Braylon has taken on projects like the Mousetrap Car Challenge, where students must build a vehicle powered by a standard mousetrap without modifying the trap itself. “I like doing the projects and going to the competition,” he shared. His work on the car involved precise calculations and creative problem-solving to get the car to move both forward and backward – a challenging feat even for seasoned engineers.
• Mariah – A creative force, Mariah found her voice through a children’s book project. “I like that I got to express my drawing and my creativity,” she said. Her book, featuring playful characters like Millie, Billy and Lily, took six hours to complete and included interactive elements like a popup duck mouth that delighted local kindergarten and third-grade students during a field test. “I ended up liking the book more than I expected,” she added.
• Jacob – For Jacob, TSA has been a journey of self-discovery and confidence-building. “The thing I like about TSA is just the sudden confidence in doing projects,” he said. “It’s also the teamwork – knowing that you’re not alone and you’re doing the right thing.” He’s found that working with his peers and the support of his advisor has helped him overcome self-doubt and feel like he truly belongs in the world of STEM.
• Austin (Aussie) – For Austin, the social connections formed through TSA have made all the difference. “Socializing was hard for me,” she admitted. “I moved a lot, and it was hard to make friends, but TSA helped me with that.” Austin even took on a public speaking role, presenting her team’s Construction Challenge project at Covington Aircraft, the same project she and her teammates placed fifth at state.
• Bentlee – Bentlee appreciates the supportive environment within TSA. “I really like the whole environment of TSA and how supportive it is,” he said. “I feel confident knowing that if I fall behind, my whole chapter will always have my back.” For Bentlee, the friendships and mentorship found through TSA have made a lasting impact.
— Looking Ahead to Nationals After a successful showing at the State Leadership Conference in Norman, where the team earned top placements like 3rd place in the Junior Solar Sprint, 4th place in Leadership Strategies and 5th place in the Construction Challenge, Dunbar’s TSA crew has set their sights on the National TSA Conference in Nashville, Tenn. this June.
— How You Can Support Their Journey To make this trip possible, the team is actively fundraising, with a goal of approximately $10,000 to cover registration, travel and lodging for 12 participants, including seven Dunbar students, one high school student and four adult chaperones.
If you’d like to support these young innovators as they represent Okmulgee on a national stage, consider donating, attending one of their upcoming fundraisers, or simply cheering them on as they push the boundaries of what’s possible.
For more information or to get involved, reach out to Dunbar Elementary or follow their journey on social media as they prepare to showcase their skills and creativity at the 2025 National TSA Conference.
