Tulsa

Group of children posing with an F-16 pilot in front of a parked fighter jet.
Future aviators up close and personal with an F-16 pilot.

Welcome To
STARBASE Tulsa

Welcome to STARBASE Tulsa, where curiosity takes flight and every child is encouraged to imagine, explore, and innovate. Nestled on the Tulsa Air National Guard Base—home of the 138th Fighter Wing—we provide a safe, dynamic environment where learning feels like an adventure.

Our mission is to inspire the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and problem-solvers through hands-on, inquiry-based STEAM experiences. Whether students are launching rockets, coding robots, exploring aviation, or diving into physics and chemistry, they’re building skills that spark confidence and fuel imagination.

In partnership with local schools, community organizations, and military leaders, STARBASE Tulsa delivers an unforgettable learning experience—one that lights the fuse for creativity and encourages students to reach for the stars.

Contact

Sherri Vermeer

9131 Viper St.
Tulsa, OK 74115

ISS

Space Station

From rocket launches to orbital science, STARBASE Lawton–Fort Sill helps students see how their experiments on Earth connect to discoveries in space.

STARBASE Tulsa Summer Camps

STARBASE Tulsa offers hands-on, week-long summer camps for students at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, typically in June and July. The camps provide an immersive and interactive experience focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Camp Highlights

Hands-on, Minds-on Learning

Activities are designed to be fun and educational, showing students that learning and fun can go together.

Unique location

Camps are held at the Tulsa Air National Guard Base, giving participants exposure to a technological environment and real-world applications of STEAM.

Interactive Curriculum:

Students participate in a variety of challenging activities tailored to different age groups. Examples from recent camps have included:

  • Robotics and coding
  • Rocketry, including designing and launching straw rockets
  • Engineering design and physics, like applying Newton's laws of motion
  • Exploring advanced topics like nanotechnology and circuitry

Forensic Techniques

Campers have participated in activities such as "pickle autopsies," creating "bacteria art," and extracting DNA from strawberries.

Mystery-Solving

While specific details vary by camp session, the program often involves solving a "mystery" using detective skills and scientific methods.

Technology Integration

The camp incorporates advanced technology, including the use of drones.

STEAM Exploration

Beyond forensic science, the camp also includes other science, technology, engineering, and math (STEAM) concepts, such as nanotechnology, circuits, and chromatography.

Hands-On Learning

A core component of the STARBASE program is its emphasis on experiential, exploratory learning.

Positive Role Models

Participants interact with military personnel who serve as positive role models and demonstrate the real-world uses of STEAM in their careers.

Homeschool Groups

Enroll in STARBASE Tulsa's Basic Academy!

Calling all homeschool families with 4th–6th graders! STARBASE Tulsa invites your students to join our engaging, hands-on, minds-on Basic Academy—an exciting opportunity to explore STEAM through real-world applications and fun experiments.

To learn more or to schedule an academy, contact Teresa Foster or Sherri Vermeer at 918-833-7757 or email:
tfoster@starbaseok.org
svermeer@starbaseok.org

Group photo of Starbase Tulsa staff standing outdoors in front of trees.

Meet the Staff

Sherri Vemeer, Tulsa

Sherri Vermeer!

Ms. Sherri is our fun-loving Director who makes learning at STARBASE Tulsa a blast! She’s passionate about helping students explore STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math—in exciting, hands-on minds-on ways. Before joining STARBASE, she spent 18 years in education, inspiring students and leading with creativity and data smarts.

When she’s not at STARBASE, Ms. Sherri loves camping, traveling, and rocking out at concerts with her husband. She’s a proud mom, proud Mamaw to Waylon and Sunny, and pet mom to Sophie, Buddy, and Addie!

Teresa Foster, Tulsa

Teresa Foster!

Ms. Teresa is the Deputy Director at STARBASE Tulsa, bringing over 40 years of science know-how and tons of energy to everything she does! She helps lead awesome STEAM lessons, trains teachers, and runs the Advanced Program, where students take learning to the next level.

When she’s not inspiring future scientists, Ms. Teresa loves spending time with her family—especially her six grandkids, who call her “Gigi.” She’s all about curiosity, creativity, and having fun while learning!

Julianne Browne, Tulsa

Julianne Browne!

Ms. Julianne is a world-traveling geologist who brings science to life at STARBASE Tulsa! With experience teaching geology, life science, and chemistry—and time spent working in the oil and gas industry—she knows how to make learning exciting and real.

She’s passionate about sparking curiosity through hands-on experiments and creative STEAM adventures. When she’s not at STARBASE, Ms. Julianne leads her daughter’s Girl Scout troop on camping and cookie-selling adventures, or relaxes at home with her husband (a paleontologist!) watching movies together. 

Phillip (Trey) Pennington III, Tulsa

Phillip “Trey” Pennington III!

Mr. Trey is a passionate educator who brings energy and heart to STARBASE Tulsa! With a background in Natural Sciences and Environmental Biology, he loves sparking curiosity and creativity through hands-on STEAM adventures.

He’s all about inspiring students to lead, learn, and grow. Outside of STARBASE, you’ll find Mr. Trey camping, exploring new places, or cooking up something tasty. He’s a proud husband and dad of two amazing girls who keep life full of fun and inspiration!

Testimonials

"The coolest thing about Starbase Tulsa is that my mom used to come here when she was younger, and now, I'm here and having a lot of fun.  My favorite activity was Eggbert because we got to design him a safety harness so he wouldn't have a crash landing."

Tymber

Student

Your teachers are fantastic! You have a wonderful program and we cannot wait to come back next year!

Cori Anderson

Osage Elementary

"Starbase Tulsa is so engaging and the kid can't wait to come here each week, they talk for days about how much learning and fun they had!"

Mrs. Robbins

Teacher, Barnsdall

"My favorite activity was the drones, they were really fun because I got to fly them around and go through all sorts of paths and go through hoops, it was really fun!"

Cade

Student

"My favorite things was the Sphero robots, because was got to code them with an IPad and guide them through different obstacles and paths." 

Ava

Student

"I really enjoyed the drones because I always wanted to drive one, and we had a big area to fly them and learn how they work!"

Ezra

Student

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We’re back and ready to learn! 🎉🚀
STARBASE Tulsa kicked off the new year after our holiday break by welcoming AVANT Public School for Days 1 & 2, and what a great start it’s been!

Our cadets jumped right into hands-on learning—exploring coding, putting Eggbert to the test, discovering the science behind Bernoulli, and watching chemistry come alive with Pop Goes the Fizz. 🧠🥚💡

We’re so glad to be back at it and can’t wait for more learning, exploring, and fun ahead! #STARBASETulsa #STEMEducation #HandsOnLearning #FutureInnovators #LearningIsFun
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What a way to wrap up our academies before the holidays!

We were so excited to welcome a new school to STARBASE — the Angus Valley Sandites! These cadets brought their A-game for Day 1 on Wednesday and Thursday, jumping right into learning with curiosity and enthusiasm.

From cheering on Eggbert 🥚 to exploring science with Bernoulli, our cadets asked great questions, tried new things, and had an absolute blast learning STEM concepts along the way. We love seeing that spark of curiosity and teamwork shine!

A big THANK YOU to the amazing teachers and bus drivers who help make these experiences possible — we truly appreciate all you do to get your students here.

We loved meeting you, Angus Valley, and can’t wait to see you again… see you in 2026! 🚀📚✨
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Angus Valley closing out the first semester at STARBASE with their Day 1 ! See you next year! ... See MoreSee Less

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