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.”
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We were honored to welcome US Senator James Lankford to the STARBASE Oklahoma City site during the Oklahoma Military Department (OMD) Youth Programs Summer Cycle Break Training.
As a guest speaker for the annual training, Senator Lankford had the opportunity to learn more about the Oklahoma Military Department’s youth programs, including the Thunderbird Challenge Program, Sooner Job Challenge Program, and STARBASE. While visiting the STARBASE Oklahoma City site, he saw firsthand how our program provides engaging, hands-on STEAM education that inspires younger students while supporting the development of Oklahoma’s future leaders.
The visit highlighted the importance of investing in the next generation by providing students with opportunities to learn, grow, build confidence, and explore pathways toward future success. Senator Lankford also met with our Director, Mike, and Deputy Director, Brian, to learn more about STARBASE’s mission and the impact our team makes every day.
Thank you, Senator Lankford, for taking the time to visit the STARBASE Oklahoma City site, learn more about the Oklahoma Military Department’s youth programs, and support opportunities that empower Oklahoma’s future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers.
#STARBASE #STARBASEOKC #STARBASEOklahoma #STEAMEducation #OklahomaMilitaryDepartment #OklahomaNationalGuard #SoonerJobChallenge #ThunderbirdChallenge #FutureLeaders #HandsOnLearning #EducationMatters
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One last look at an unforgettable week at STARBASE OKC Advanced Summer Camp! 🕵️🔬🤖
From the moment our campers arrived, they stepped into the role of forensic detectives, working together to solve a thrilling murder mystery using real world STEAM skills. Throughout the week, they examined hair, fiber, blood, fingerprints, handwriting, and mystery spills to piece together the evidence and identify the suspect through hands-on, interactive activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity.
They built and coded with LEGO® SPIKE Prime, flew drones, created stunning line art, designed their own bases in CAD, and tackled engineering challenges that showed firsthand how teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving go hand in hand. 🧪💻⚙️🎨➗
And to top it all off, they even got to breathe fire… well, smoke like real life dragons! 🐲🐉
A special thank you again to Ms. Lori from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for sharing her expertise and helping our campers analyze fingerprint evidence like real investigators. Experiences like these make learning come alive!
As our final camp of the summer comes to a close, we're incredibly grateful for this amazing group of students.
Thank you for your curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to take on every challenge. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and we can't wait to welcome future campers back to STARBASE OKC!
💙 Thanks for making this summer one to remember!❤️ Oklahoma National Guard Sooner Job ChalleNGe
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#STARBASEOKC #AdvancedSummerCamp #STEAM #STEAMEducation #ForensicScience #CrimeSceneInvestigation #LEGOSPIKEPrime #Coding #Engineering #HandsOnLearning #FutureInnovators #LearningThroughDiscovery
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As we wrap up another unforgettable STARBASE OKC Advanced Summer Camp, we want to give a huge congratulations to our incredible graduates! 🎓🚀
To our campers (ages 10–14): Thank you for bringing your curiosity, creativity, teamwork, and excitement into our classrooms each day. Watching you tackle challenges, think like scientists, build like engineers, code like innovators, and never stop asking “What if?” made this summer one to remember.
Your passion for learning, combined with your willingness to have fun, is exactly what will help you go far in life. We have no doubt that each of you will continue to dream big, work hard, and make a positive impact wherever your journey takes you.
Thank you for spending part of your summer with us. It has truly been a blast, and we hope the rest of your summer is filled with adventure, laughter, and new discoveries.
Remember: The sky isn’t the limit✨ it’s just your launch pad! 🚀✨
Congratulations once again, campers! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the future.
#STARBASEOKC #AdvancedCamp #SummerCamp2026 #STEAMEducation #FutureInnovators #LearningThroughDiscovery #DreamBig #FutureLeaders #STEM #NextGeneration #KeepExploring #LaunchIntoSuccess
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A huge THANK YOU to Ms. Lori from the OSBI Criminalistics Services Division Latent Evidence Unit for spending the day with our STARBASE OKC summer campers!🔎🧐
Students had the incredible opportunity to explore the fascinating world of forensic science by learning about fingerprints, the different types of fingerprint patterns, and how investigators use latent prints to help solve crimes. This hands-on experience was the perfect addition to our Murder Mystery-themed camp, allowing students to think like real forensic investigators while applying critical thinking, observation, and problem-solving skills.
We are so grateful for community partners like Ms. Lori who take the time to inspire the next generation through engaging, real world STEAM experiences. Thank you for making learning unforgettable!
#starbaseokc #starbase #STEMEducation #forensicscience #crimesceneinvestigation #fingerprints #latentevidence #OSBI #HandsOnLearning #FutureScientists #CriticalThinking #summercamp #murdermystery #InspiringTheNextGeneration
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