Welcome To
STARBASE OKC
Welcome to STARBASE OKC, where curiosity thrives, challenges inspire, and students discover just how exciting learning can be. Located on the Oklahoma City Military Complex, we offer a unique, hands-on STEAM experience that puts real-world problem-solving front and center. By partnering with local schools and military leaders, we create an environment where students build skills, explore new technologies, and discover their strengths.
Through our 25-hour program, 5th graders dive into hands-on STEAM learning that sparks imagination and builds confidence. At STARBASE OKC, students step into the roles of engineers, scientists, and designers. Through robotics, engineering challenges, applied science labs, and computer-aided design (CAD), our cadets learn to test ideas, work together, and push their creativity further than they thought possible.
Our mission is simple: Ignite a passion for learning and open doors to future opportunities. With a dedicated team guiding and supporting every activity, we ensure each lesson is engaging, every challenge is meaningful, and every student feels encouraged to explore their potential and new possibilities.
At STARBASE OKC, we do more than teach STEAM, we bring learning to life!
Contact
Mike Baarlaer
6500 N. Kelley Ave
BLDG MAO80 EDU Center
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Testimonials
Meet the Staff
Mike Baarlaer
Director
Mike Baarlaer brings three decades of educational experience to his role as Director for StarBase OKC, following a distinguished career teaching 5th grade in Michigan. He is dedicated to shaping engaging, inquiry-driven learning experiences at STARBASE and is committed to fostering an environment where students reach their “ah-ha” moments through meaningful, hands-on exploration. Why does Mike love STARBASE?
“I love watching the students see that ‘ah-ha’ moment when they are learning and having fun understanding scientific principles.”
When he’s not inspiring the next generation of scientists, you’ll find him spending time outdoors with his family, kayaking, hiking, playing tennis or pickle ball, and reading.
Brian Reed
Deputy Director
Brian Reed serves as Deputy Director at STARBASE OKC and has been part of the program for seven years. He began his career at STARBASE as a Program Assistant, advanced to Program Instructor, and now supports the organization through his experience and long-standing involvement in STEAM education.
Throughout his time at STARBASE, Brian has contributed to engaging, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and creativity in students. His background in classroom instruction provides valuable insight into the program’s educational approach and day-to-day operations.
Brian’s passion for learning is reflected in a haiku he wrote about the STARBASE experience:
Knowledge fills young minds
Humanity’s vow renewed
Circle is complete
Olivia Hernandez
Program Instructor
Meet Instructor Olivia Hernandez, call sign “Proton.” Known for bringing energy, joy, and positivity into every STARBASE classroom, Olivia is passionate about creating learning environments where curiosity thrives and students feel empowered.
Outside of work, Olivia finds joy in photography, a passion she’s nurtured for years, and she currently manages the STARBASE OKC Facebook page. She treasures time with her family and friends, loves being outdoors, and often recharges by taking in the beauty of God’s creation. She’s also a proud dog mom and a lover of all fur babies.
At the heart of everything she does is her belief in lifelong learning. Olivia loves showing students that they can achieve anything, that STEAM is for everyone, and that discovering new things should always feel fun, inspiring, and full of wonder.
Michelle Swedlow
Program Instructor
Meet Instructor Michelle Swedlow! Call sign “Photon” a passionate educator who brings science to life with energy, creativity, and real-world experience. Blending her love of physics with hands-on learning and Army-honed discipline, she sparks curiosity and inspires the next generation of critical thinkers. What she loves most about teaching STARBASE:
“Teaching science lets me do what I love most: to excite electrons and young minds. I fuse Physics education, creativity, and Army-honed discipline to make science real and hands-on, to ignite a lifelong love of science, mathematics, exploration, and critical thinking for our next gen kids.”
Dominique Phillips
Program Instructor
With 15 years of experience and a heart fully in it, our newest program instructor Dominique Call sign: Quanta is here to back the education system and help people grow into their best selves. Quanta is deeply committed to supporting the Department of Defense’s mission to ignite a love for STEAM and expand access to opportunities for marginalized communities, ensuring no talent goes untapped.
Her life motto— “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” sums up the way she lives life with emotional connection and empathy preceding knowledge and achievement in building relationships with the students, families and communities around the world.
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What an incredible way to wrap up Day 5 with Mr. White 5th grade class! 🎓✨Millwood Public Schools #Original
From start to finish, the energy was unmatched. Ms. D and Ms. Olivia had the BEST time bringing Double Bubble Trouble to life with this group and of course, the grand finale of Elephant Toothpaste did not disappoint! 🧪💥 The excitement, laughter, and curiosity in the room made this graduation moment truly special.
This class showed up ready to celebrate, learn, and enjoy every last second of their experience with us. It was the perfect send-off to an amazing five-visit journey, and we couldn’t be more proud of all the effort they’ve put in along the way.
Mr. White’s class, you made last Friday unforgettable! Enjoy your spring break, you’ve earned it! ☀️💛
#MillwoodElementary #5thGradeGraduation #STEMFun #DoubleBubbleTrouble #ElephantToothpaste #FutureLeaders #HandsOnScience #ClassOf2026 #SpringBreakReady #MakingMemories
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Last Friday, we had the absolute joy of celebrating Millwood Public Schools #Original 5th grade class from Mrs. Benedict’s class as they completed their Day 5 experience with us! 🎉
Their final visit was full of excitement, curiosity, and hands-on learning. From the thrilling reactions of Double Bubble Trouble to witnessing Elephant Toothpaste come to life right before their eyes 🧪✨, these students truly embraced every moment. They also dove into the world of molecules and had a blast learning through play with our “Happy Atoms” game!
They came in full of energy (we know spring break was right around the corner! 😄), but still showed up ready to learn, engage, and finish strong. We are so proud of the dedication and growth they’ve shown over all five visits , their hard work does not go unnoticed!
As you enjoy your well-deserved spring break, we’re celebrating YOU and all that you’ve accomplished. Keep shining, keep questioning, and keep exploring the world around you! 🌟
#MillwoodElementary #5thGradeSuccess #STEMLearning #FutureScientists #HandsOnLearning #ElephantToothpaste #HappyAtoms #StudentSpotlight #SpringBreakVibes #InspiringYoungMinds
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Ms. Olivencia’s class from Del City Elementary School joined us last Friday to wrap up their final program day, and it was such a great experience! From Double Bubble Trouble to exploring Happy Atoms, the students stayed engaged, curious, and full of excitement the entire time.
This group truly stood out, we know they’re going to do amazing things in the future!🎓❤️
Even though it’s Spring Break, we still had to give a special shoutout to Ms. Olivencia for her continued dedication over the years. She is an incredible educator, and we always love having her with us. We’re already looking forward to seeing her and her students again next year! ✨
#STEAMeducation #STEMlearning #FutureLeaders #HandsOnLearning #ElementaryEducation #STEMkids #InspiringYoungMinds #AfterSchoolProgram #DelCityElementary #TeacherAppreciation #SpringBreakShoutout #EducationMatters #LearningIsFun
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We were so glad to have Barnes Elementary School back with us yesterday to wrap up their Day 5 visit! 🎓🚀
After a couple of weeks away, the students jumped right back into the fun with Double Bubble Trouble and Happy Atoms, exploring chemistry through hands-on learning and teamwork.
It’s truly a wonderful group of students, and we had a blast learning and experimenting together. We’re excited to see all the amazing things these bright young minds will accomplish in the future!
#STEMeducation #HandsOnLearning #FutureScientists #STEMkids #HappyAtoms #ChemistryFun #LearningByDoing #YoungInnovators #STEMintheClassroom #BrightFutures ✨
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