CENTRAL OKLAHOMA — An overwhelming response to Central Tech’s pilot Middle School Explorer Program in Mannford and Ripley last school year has spurred expansion into five additional partner schools for 2025–2026.
Oilton, Yale, Bristow, Cushing, and Drumright middle schools will now join the initiative, which is designed to introduce students to highdemand industries and essential life skills through real-world, hands-on experiences.
“By creating career awareness earlier, we give students a longer timeframe to explore,” said Central Tech Superintendent Kent Burris. “This saves time later in life, provides a better understanding of their options, and helps them focus on their interests, making their education studentdriven.”
The Explorer Program aligns with the National Career Clusters framework and gives middle schoolers the opportunity to explore future career paths in healthcare, construction, law enforcement, business planning, and more. Over the course of the year, students rotate through up to 13 clusters using project-based learning that includes everything from CAD design and power tools to stethoscopes, PPE, and public speaking exercises.
“We need a program that helps kids find a purpose and a path, whether it be technical or not,” Burris said. “Understanding that many of today’s school counselors are overwhelmed with testing coordination and don’t have the time to work individually with all students, we looked for opportunities to serve in this space.”
The idea gained early traction among area superintendents. “Central Tech hosts superintendent meetings throughout the year, and at one of these meetings, Kent Burris spoke offthe-cuff about an idea he had to offer a career exploration class in middle school,” said Mannford Superintendent Kelly Spradlin. “I immediately thought, ‘We are in on that,’ even though they were looking for informal interest.”
Following interest surveys and scheduling assessments, four schools — Cleveland, Drumright, Ripley, and Mannford — were considered for the pilot. Ripley and Mannford were selected to participate in the 2024– 2025 school year.
Spradlin noted the unique value the program brings. “The value our students find in Central Tech is enormously appreciated. Tech can do things we cannot. Our school board saw a great opportunity, and our response was a resounding ‘yes.’” Kaleb Hoffman, superintendent of Ripley Public Schools, said, “We heard about the idea during one of our area superintendent meetings from Mr. Burris. I had been in discussions with our high school counselor on how we can offer more opportunities to our students regarding career choices.”
While Ripley already invites weekly guest speakers for career talks, Hoffman said the Explorer Program offers more. “Kids know what their parents do, and they may know what their best friend’s parents do, but they know little else. This Explorer Program can get them thinking — ‘I thought I wanted to do this, but I don’t really like it,’ or ‘I had no idea this was out there’ — and develop a passion for it.”
Nancy Overton, director of the partner school extension program at Central Tech, explained that the program helps students “determine which path to take — whether it’s going straight to work, to college, or the military. It’s about finding the best route for each student.”
Ripley will offer the program to 7th and 8th graders; Mannford will introduce it to 6th graders. The placement aligns with existing careerprep efforts already underway in each school.
“Our 7th and 8th graders are already involved in career exploration through our Flex program, which offers online courses in various career fields,” said Mannford Middle School Principal Kory Mitchell. Spradlin added, “Additionally, our 5th graders participate in Junior Achievement through BizTown, making the Explorer Program a perfect segue in 6th grade.”
Central Tech plans to continue expanding the Explorer Program over the next several years. “We are opening two programs this fall and plan to add two more each year until we reach all our partner schools,” Burris said. “Our goal is to help students figure out a plan earlier in life, thus saving time and money for everyone involved.”
By offering hands-on exploration in a wide variety of industries, Central Tech’s Explorer Program aims to connect students’ interests to meaningful futures — and make career education a journey worth taking. come.