Excellence & Expertise from Veteran Team Advisor, Jason Arant

With nearly ten years of Team Advisor experience, and several winning titles, Jason Arant is an eCYBERMISSION expert. We connected with him recently to understand how he implements eCYBERMISSION in his school and how he guides his teams to work collaboratively for true community impact through STEM. 

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eCYBERMISSION: Thank you for agreeing to share your wisdom! To begin, could you introduce yourself?

Jason: My name is Jason Arant, and I am the Founder/Director of the Oklahoma School of Innovation & Experiential Learning (OSIEL) in Bixby, Oklahoma. I have been involved with eCYBERMISSION since 2016, mentoring students in STEM projects. Last year, our team "ThermoGuardians” had the fortune of being National Finalists with their innovative automated roof panel project. 

My philosophy of educating is based on the belief that the highest form of learning comes from experience outside the classroom. I am passionate about fostering hands-on learning experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators, and eCYBERMISSION has helped me promote this level of education.

eCYBERMISSION: What is your process to help students with project selection?

Jason: Students select an eCYBERMISSION project that starts with identifying real-world problems they care about. I encourage hands-on learning, guiding students to find practical, STEM-driven solutions to local challenges. Typically, the students start by focusing on broad, generic topics, which create difficulty in coming up with solutions. This creates frustration. As a response, I get them to refine their focus by having them reflect on their daily struggles and the topics they hear on the local news. This creates empowerment and applicability. 

eCYBERMISSION: How do you encourage collaboration within your teams? 

Jason: I have not had to encourage collaboration among students. They have done this well on their own. They divide tasks they find should be split amongst the group, and each assumes a responsibility. They also decide on the task to which everyone should contribute. Before we begin, I explain that if a team member is not contributing their part, they can be removed by the other member(s) if sufficient evidence of slacking is provided. eCYBERMISSION is looked at as a privilege at our school. 

eCYBERMISSION: What eCYBERMISSION resources do you find most useful and how do you use them with your teams?

Jason: The rubrics have been the most useful. They provide a guide for what is expected and the level of detail the questions need to be answered. 

eCYBERMISSION: What other resources outside of eCYBERMISSION do you find most helpful?

Jason: We are located in an area that has fewer resources than many others. So, we have to be willing to travel. The place that has been consistent with their help, regardless of the area of study, is Oklahoma State University. Although it is 90 minutes away, it is worth the time to visit. I have found the professors more than eager to lend their expertise and facilities to help our students learn and progress in their testing and understanding. 

eCYBERMISSION: What timelines work best for your teams and how do you keep your teams on track for Mission Folder submission? 

Jason: I encourage the students to count down the days until submission. Every day, they are to complete a goal for every member of the team. This works well with the groups who apply it, but for most, it comes down to the wire, and they feel stressed. However, I believe time management is part of what is learned in this competition. It is better to experience navigating such a concept now than when they are older. 

eCYBERMISSION: What are your top 3 recommendations for new Team Advisors? 

Jason: 1.) Have the students communicate with the experts, professionals, professors, etc. Have them send the emails, make the phone calls, and conduct the online meetings. The students need this practice. It is critical for their future success. It does not matter how good of an idea someone has; if he/she can't communicate it, it is worthless.  

2.) Get the students out of the school and into the field of study. This is where the best learning will occur. 

3.) Don’t focus on winning. Focus on the connections with professionals, exposure to new opportunities, and understanding concepts. This will serve the students well in the long run. For example, several years ago, we had a 7th-grade group that worked with aphids and their response to different frequencies. This group received 2nd place in the state. Although they did not win, their research with Dr. Zarabi of Oklahoma State University was published at the university level with the entomology department. 

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Thank you so much to Jason Arant for sharing his wisdom with us! eCYBERMISSION registration for the 2024-2025 competition is open until February 26 at www.ecybermission.com/register. Mission Folders are due March 5. For questions about eCYBERMISSION, email us at missioncontrol@ecybermission.com.

Faith Benner
Sr. Communications and Marketing Specialist