The Dr. Elliott and Pam Schwartz AEIOU Foundation

About the AEIOU Foundation

The AEIOU Foundation is a nonprofit organization (501(c)3) dedicated to sponsoring experiential learning opportunities for underserved Oklahoma school children to enhance STEM/STEAM education standards. By providing the funding to deliver programs at NO CHARGE to participating schools, the foundation partners with community organizations that provide programming in the arts and sciences to Title 1 schools within the OKC metro, across Oklahoma, and nationwide. The goal of the AEIOU Foundation is to provide equitable access to high-quality educational experiences that inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in STEM /STEAM..

Who We Are - AEIOU Foundation

Our Vision

The AEIOU Foundation aims to engage every student through diverse arts and sciences, offering unforgettable experiences across different formats throughout their school journey. By providing unique opportunities not readily available locally, we aspire to enhance traditional teaching methods, sparking curiosity and encouraging young minds to grow infinitely.

Our Mission

At AEIOU Foundation, we strive to improve the lives of underprivileged children by providing them with experiential events and educational experiences that will inspire and provide for hope and dreams. Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty and give these children a chance at a successful future.

Our Impact

0ur programs have positively influenced the lives of more than 500,000 children in Oklahoma. We take pride in the profound impact we have had on these young individuals, shaping a future where their potential knows no bounds.

Our Founders

Dr. Elliott Schwartz is a board certified Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine physician celebrating over 50 years taking care of our community. He has taken an active role in teaching physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare providers. He has always had an affinity for educating young students, believing that by investing in our youth we are creating a better future for all. By creating the Dr. Elliott and Pam Schwartz AEIOU Foundation, he has assured that his aspirations and accomplishments of yesterday and today will help to fulfill his dreams for a tomorrow which will continue for generations.

Pamela Shanklin, MHI, BSN, RN has a 40 plus year experience in healthcare as a nurse, administrator, and quality improvement specialist. She has spent many years volunteering with organizations that focus on our youth and continues to believe that children need to experience the world around them in order to dream and succeed.

We SEE

We SEE a world that embraces education in ALL disciplines
We SEE a world that provides opportunities for ALL children to succeed
We SEE a world that creates wonder, curiosity, and the desire to learn
We SEE an Oklahoma that places 1st and NOT 45th in the country in education, culture, or quality of life
We SEE a country that encourages, engages, and enlightens ALL of its youth
We SEE an Oklahoma and other Educationally Disadvantaged States where Teen Pregnancy, Dropping out of School, Violence, Gangs, and Drug use will be lessened due to outreach Experiential and Educational Programs that pique young minds' interest.

AEIOU Foundation in Action/Our Partners

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Interactive, Live!

Live theater, as showcased in the Lyric Theater of Oklahoma Live program, offers school children a transformative experience that goes beyond mere entertainment. Through engaging with musical theater productions infused with English, History, Writing lessons, Geography, and Civility, students are immersed in a multidimensional learning environment. This interactive approach not only ignites their creativity and passion for the arts but also fosters a deeper understanding of historical contexts and language skills. By combining the magic of live performances with educational components, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma Live opens doors to a world of inspiration, knowledge, and artistic expression for young minds to explore and cherish. This program has grown from 10,000-15,000 students per year to:

'22-'23: 128,000 Title 1 students 68/77 OK Counties

'23-'24: 167,000 Title 1 students 77/77 OK Counties

Link to Schedule Interactive Live '24-'25

Science Museum Oklahoma STEAM Live!

Imagine a captivating Live Science Show brought directly to school children, where science, engineer

Imagine a captivating Live Science Show brought directly to school children, where science, technology, engineering, art, and math, converge in a whirlwind of excitement and discovery. Through a series of thrilling experiments conducted right in their own schools, students are transported into a realm where learning transcends textbooks and theory. Witness the wonders of scientific principles come to life through hands-on demonstrations that inspire curiosity and critical thinking. As young minds marvel at the intersection of art and science, creativity blossoms, and a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of STEAM disciplines takes root. Prepare to be amazed as the boundaries between science and imagination blur, sparking a passion for innovation that knows no limits.

New Program Spring Semester 2023- 17 schools and 4,590 Title 1 Students

'23-'24: 100 Schools and 35,000 Title 1 Students in 52/77 OK Counties

Link To Schedule SMO Live '24-'25

ARTSPACE at Untitled

From the intricate details of printmaking to the dynamic movements of STOP Motion theater, each student is encouraged to discover their unique voice and style. The fusion of traditional techniques with modern technology creates a vibrant tapestry of creativity, where innovative ideas take shape and come to life. This program not only cultivates technical skills but also instills a sense of confidence, teamwork, and resilience in the aspiring artists.

Participants make their mark in the ever-evolving world of multimedia art. Witness the magic unfold as passion, mentorship, and creativity blend seamlessly in this dynamic program, shaping the artists of tomorrow

For more information

Oklahoma City Ballet

Spokane Civic Interactive

ARTSPACE at Untitled

We are proud to be a major sponsor of the Dance Discovery Program, a beacon of creativity and opportunity that shines bright in both underprivileged schools and Boys and Girls Clubs. This initiative is a transformative journey where children are introduced to the art of dance, guided by passionate instructors who nurture their talents and kindle their spirits.
Through dance, children discover the beauty of storytelling through movement, honing their physical coordination, confidence, and teamwork skills.

The Dance Discovery Program not only opens doors to the world of dance but also serves as a platform for self-discovery, resilience, and creative exploration.

'23-'24: 50,000 Student Contact Hours

NB: This is not our usual OUTREACH program performed/taught in Title 1 Students respective Public Schools: Nonetheless, it currently helps Title 1 Children locally until a true outreach version is functional and viable.

For more information

Oklahoma City Zoo

Spokane Civic Interactive

We recognized early in our foundation’s journey that the OKC Zoo has an important place in the educational experiences of our students. Understanding the interdependence of species within the animal kingdom provides a picture of the importance of community, diversity, and socialization that relates to our own survival as human beings.

We introduced ourselves and our mission to the zoo with the goal to further align their needs and strategies with our own mission to increase the options for outreach. We are currently assisting with the development of a virtual learning program that is an alternative to an on-site experience for third grade students for school year 2025-2026. More to follow as we accomplish more with our newer partners to be.

Spokane Civic Interactive

This is our first Interstate Performing Arts Program - in the model of and with the collaborative help of, our dedicated partner, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.

Designed for Title 1 Students in other states, this program will begin with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella being presented to at needy schools in the state of Washington. We are supplying seed money and our State Theatre, Lyric, is providing inestimable help to prove how reproducible and scalable our hugely successful Lyric Interactive can be in other needy states and currently educationally disadvantaged young student populations.

Sister BJ ‘s Pantry

A cause near and dear to our hearts is to provide healthy and nourishing meals to those in need. Every Sunday morning, in the predawn hours, we support this mission by preparing a fresh breakfast to over 200 homeless individuals.

Museum of Discovery Little Rock, Arkansas

This is our first Interstate Science Program - in the model of STEAM Live!

The Museum of Discovery has agreed to pilot an assembly style science program for and at Title 1 schools within the State of Arkansas at no charge to the schools. Seed money was provided to support 28 experiential learning opportunities with the intention of demonstrating the need for science programming and attaining local financial support.

Affiliations, Sponsorships and Endowments

The following 6 worthy organizations present multiple quality programs in their OKC venues., Some of whom have begun the journey lof researching, designing, or testing scalable and financially viable distant outreach programs for Title 1 Youth in their respective schools. We will continue to recommend and work with them to meet that need while helping them with their magnificent local education in the arts and so much more.

El Sistema Oklahoma

AEIOU Foundation established an endowment through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation to provide funding for El Sistema Oklahoma's instrument acquisition and preservation. This program provides free music opportunities for local youth during the school year

Oklahoma Arts Institute Quartz Mountain

Oklahoma Arts Institute Quartz Mountain provides multidisciplinary arts experience for students state wide during its annual two week intensive summer camp. We have provided, through Oklahoma City Community Foundation an endowment to the “Angel Fund” which covers the cost of application for eligible students .

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

OKCMOA’s virtual outreach program has been developed in an attempt to meet the needs of remote areas schools unable to travel to the museum. Work continues to meet the issues of scalability and financial viability for many Title 1 schools .

Our support over the last several years includes the funding of their promotional video and supplemental guides which have wisely included state educational standards

Oklahoma City Philharmonic

AEIOU Foundation and the OKCPHIL continue dialogue about the scalability and financial sustainability for a widespread outreach program. Currently we are supporting 2 schools for near outreach.

Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center

One of our earliest pre Covid projects resulted from the desire to promote art experiences within our own city. An endowment was provided to Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center to provide support for transportation to Oklahoma City area Title 1 for schools field trips.

We continue to support the mission and vision of the organization to provide art education to students and educators while improving the viability of true outreach programs from both fiscal and scalable parameters.

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Our partnering with Boeing and the museum to develop an engineering program for a local elementary school provided additional insight into the needs of under resourced schools as well as to the dearth of programs available to them. We continued to support efforts of the museum to provide children's education, including the sponsoring/naming of two attractions in the Liichokoshkomo exhibit. Additional funding was provided for the renovations necessary in the education wing of the museum.

Our AEIOU Foundation: The Future Begins Today

Our mantra is to provide similar help to the other Southern and Midwestern States who are ranked in the bottom 15 in education of young minds. We have begun working with two other similar states and have visited them and had multiple collaborative virtual meetings and ongoing communication. Development of de novo outreach programs or our helping to promote vast increase in the number of existing programs in children's' own schools, are both being worked upon and more information about our specific partners will be upcoming. In many areas of business, trade secrets and limitation of interactivity/collaboration are de rigeur. We are very proud of our two largest partners (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma and Science Museum Oklahoma) and their administration and staff for opening their arms to collegial interactivity to benefit the needs of educationally disadvantaged children in the entire United States. Our developing partnerships also share this concept of collaboration. This is heartening to us and opens potential for both ongoing and new experiential programming in many states, including a dynamic potential for expanding the use of currently available superior, previously accomplished work and therefore meeting the needs of students in multiple new ways. STAY TUNED