About Me
In the blink of an eye, the little girl with snails in her pockets and dirt in her hair went from exploring the creeks behind her childhood home to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources from Oklahoma State University.
Lauren’s adventure began when she moved across the country to gain conservation experience near Glacier National Park as a Big Sky Watershed Corps Member through AmeriCorps. In this role, she combined her lifelong passion for service with environmental conservation, conducting research for organizations such as the USDA, NRCS, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and NASA. Her work focused on wildflower biodiversity, pollinator habitat rehabilitation, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) tracking, and agricultural resource improvements.
A defining moment in her career was developing the Lake County Conservation District’s outreach program, which delivered STEAM curriculum to 3,641 students and adults in 2.5 years. After returning home during the pandemic, Lauren pursued STEAM education, starting at Discovery Lab where she created curriculum and trained educators. Now in her second year at Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences (TSAS), she teaches Modern Science and Chemistry and serves as the Key Club sponsor, deeply committed to inspiring her students in the natural sciences and in service.
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys hiking, camping, photographing every flower and fungi she sees, collecting rocks and crystals, and practicing yoga. When indoors, she loves watching competition shows with her husband, Tyler, and making bets on the winners (loser cleans up dinner!) Their pup, Daisy, is always nearby to “help” with cleanup.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and Natural Resources with a major in Environmental Sciences from Oklahoma State University
Currently Available Courses
Chemistry
Chemistry is a laboratory science course in which students will explore the composition of matter and the physical and chemical changes it undergoes. This course combines lecture and discussion to support a heavily laboratory focused curriculum, allowing students an active learning environment to explore basic and complex chemistry concepts.
Chemistry in the Community
Chemistry in the Community is a laboratory-focused course, using experimentation to explore basic chemistry concepts. This course uses real-world environmental issues to explore multiple topics in chemistry through lecture, discussion, and guided experiments.
Environmental Science
In this environmental science elective, we will explore the biological components that make up our planet’s ecosystems and how they interact with the environment. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest ecosystems, we’ll examine the science behind biodiversity, species conservation, and the role of plants and animals in maintaining a balanced environment. We’ll also explore pressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, resource extraction, and how new technologies are helping to protect our natural world. Join us to learn how science plays a key role in a sustainable future.
Modern Science Discoveries and Research
In this course, students will learn how field scientists collect and statistically analyze data to draw meaningful conclusions in various areas of science. We will explore case studies of groundbreaking scientific discoveries, examining the technology, research methods, and real-world applications behind them. Through hands-on experience, students will develop skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and research design. By the end of the course, students will have the opportunity to design their own research project or study, applying the techniques and tools they’ve learned to explore a scientific question of their choosing.