FISTA’s new STEM Lab under construction

Construction has begun on one of the major components of the FISTA Innovation Park: a lab that will give students actual experience with some of the high-tech marvels taking place within the military defense contractors complex.

FISTA officials, including President/CEO Krista Ratliff, have known since the beginning they wanted a STEM Lab, a learning area that will allow older students to have hands-on experience with projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math — in other words, the very things defense contractor tenants are doing. That’s why the lab will be adjacent to the FISTA itself; it’s on the east side of FISTA 1, which is the old Sears retail store.

That lab also will be in proximity to another science complex that will be funded through the City of Lawton’s Capital Improvements Program, a Discovery Zone modeled on science complexes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa and keyed toward younger students.

QUAD Construction, working as project manager, began moving into its construction phase in December, erecting a wall on the east end of Central Plaza’s main corridor, where Old Navy and other retailers were located. The wall isn’t solid; there are windows that allow visitors to watch the work as contractors begin clearing and transforming the area they will turn into learning space. Ratliff suggested the windows: She wanted Lawton residents to see exactly what was going on, as the city’s newest youth-related sciences complex is built.

The complex is formally defined as STEM/Makerspace, an area specifically designed for youth. The funding is coming from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding designated to FISTA Innovation Park by the State of Oklahoma. The complex is being built by QUAD Construction (formerly Smith & Pickel Construction, which built the original FISTA complex), whose job as project manager is overseeing the subcontractors.

Ratliff said the $6.205 million in ARPA funding is “all we need to get up and operational.” The estimated construction cost is $6,190,224, with another $14,935 associated with demolition and replacement of ceiling and tile floor.

FISTA Development Trust Authority members said last week the 27,000 square feet of space includes what used to be Old Navy, The UPS Store, the Gold and Silver Exchange, and nearby common area (a restaurant on that end of the mall will remain).

Ratliff and Trust Authority Chairman Mark Brace said the original goal of the STEM Lab has changed. Today’s STEM Lab still is being designed for youth: secondary students as well as those at the college level. But, another group also is being added.

“We’ll be doing youth and professional development for educators who work with STEM students,” Brace said, of what FISTA officials said is their goal of creating a central location where STEM educators receive the training they need to work with youth.

Ratliff said the result will be a complex that will let students engage in hands-on activities, secondary level students still making up their minds about careers and college students who are actually moving into their adult lives.

It’s not just older students who will be served.

The City of Lawton is moving forward with plans for a Discovery Lab that will target elementary students. The Capital Improvements Program Extension approved by voters in August included $15 million for that center, and Mayor Stan Booker has said because the complex will be located within Central Plaza, less funding is needed for construction so more can be spent on equipment and materials needed to create a state-of-the-art complex. Brace said local funding recently got another boost: $5.5 million in federal funds.

“We’ve got the money to do it,” Brace said, adding the goal is to create an “incredible place” that will attract kids from across the region.

As city officials make plans, FISTA officials want to study similar complexes across the country to seek out the best ideas for Lawton. Ratliff said the ultimate goal is to extend STEM education to all youth.

“I’m very excited,” she said, about what she calls “an opportunity to push forward with all kids.”