Calling all K-12 educators, artists and makers! Looking to connect, share and learn about ideas and resources that will help you better teach STEAM? On June 3, from 6-9 p.m., and June 4, from 9 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Science Museum Oklahoma is hosting Convening of Makers and Educators. This STEAM activity showcase will give attendees the opportunity to learn, interact, network and get actual hands-on in-person experience working with artists, makers and other educators from around the state. This event is generously sponsored by Oklahoma EPSCoR. Limited financial assistance for registration is available on request.

This year’s keynote speaker is Azhelle Wade, internationally recognized as “The Toy Coach.” Wade's been having way too much fun in the toy industry over the past 10 years working for companies like Toys R Us, Party City, and Madame Alexander, just to name a few! She's climbed up and across the ladder in the toy world, starting out as a designer, later gaining three toy patents, and eventually becoming a vice president at a toy company.

But, after building and mentoring a diverse and talented team toward success, she had the vision to do the same with newcomers to the toy industry. With that thought, Azhelle combined her industry knowledge, inspirational mantras, and extra passionate toy talks to create the now highly rated toy podcast, “Making It in The Toy Industry.”

Today Azhelle is known industry-wide as The Toy Coach. She joyfully works as a consultant for popular IP’s and toy companies of all sizes. Her online course Toy Creators Academy empowers those new in the toy industry with step-by-step guidance, downloadable worksheets, and group coaching.

Azhelle’s mantra for her followers is, make it toyetic! Learn more about Azhelle at: www.thetoycoach.com.

This two-day event kicks off Friday evening with dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the museum is encouraging attendees to bring completed or in-progress projects to show and discuss with others. Informal by design, the evening will provide a platform for makers and artists to share techniques, innovations, new media and craft processes. Tables will be provided.

Saturday’s activities start at 9 a.m. and last until 2:00 p.m. The morning will kick off with a keynote by Azhelle Wade before breaking out into smaller sessions focused on providing tools to educators in ways that making, tinkering and problem-solving through STEAM can be used in school makerspaces, classrooms, libraries and informal settings.

Registration is only $15 and attendees will receive a $15 voucher to be used at the museum's Science Shop during the conference! Limited financial assistance is available by contacting Clint Stone at cstone@smo.org; those receiving financial assistance will not receive the voucher. This event is for adults only to allow for the best learning environment possible. Science Museum Oklahoma is located at 2020 Remington Place in Oklahoma City. More information and registration can be found at www.smo.org/convening.