Over 800 high school students and educators from across the state recently attended the 111th Engineering Open House hosted by the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma and sponsored by OG&E.
“Engineering Open House is a chance for high school students to explore engineering programs and what the field of engineering offers,” said Randa Shehab, Ph.D., senior associate dean of academic affairs at the Gallogly College of Engineering. “We hope these students learned how they can use engineering to drive forward advancements in the future and how they can make society a better place.”
“We are happy to sponsor and participate in the open house that allows students to explore a potential career in engineering,” said Nicole Rhodes, OG&E transmission and distribution director, resource planning and coordination. “At OG&E, we value serving our communities and this worthwhile event will hopefully serve and inspire the next generation.”
“Students who engage in our competitions design prototypes before coming to campus allowing high school educators to introduce engineering concepts in their classrooms,” said Dalton Brasington, OU Engineering's director of engineering outreach and recruitment. “OU's high school connection helps students understand the concepts that make for successful engineers and scientists. These concepts are integral to success in all areas.”
The open house is part of the college's mission to expand access to engineering across Oklahoma. The Engineering Pathways office hosts the activities, the Boggs Family Sooner Engineering Education Center ambassadors, OU students, faculty and staff volunteers and various engineering student organizations.
In 2023, there were 10 schools and organizations who attended who had not previously attended the open house. Communities represented include Adair, Altus, Duncan, Durant, Ft. Cobb, Holdenville, Jenks, Lawton, Lone Grove, Maud, Mustang, Omega, Sand Springs, Stilwell, Tahlequah, Walters and more.
“OU Engineering is prioritizing student access to the critical thinking skills and perseverance mindset learned through undergraduate research,” said Susan Walden Ph.D., executive director of Engineering Pathways.
Twenty participants in those programs presented posters about their projects to other high school students and educator guests during the open house.
"It was fun to witness the excitement that the high school students expressed in response to the outstanding presentations by OU Engineering undergraduate students. They were inspired and eager to learn,” Walden said.
With OU Engineering students and faculty support, high school students participated in hands-on engineering design activities that included designing a roller coaster, constructing a bridge to withstand weight, and learning the basics of coding, among others. Students also learned about admissions and financial aid and attended an inaugural undergraduate research poster showcase.
“Engineering is all around us,” said Matt Brigida, an OU mechanical engineering senior and a Sooner Engineering Education Center member. “Watching students draw connections to what they see every day, whether as simple as driving over a bridge or thinking about the programming that goes into making technology work, shows that engineers can do anything.”
Challenge winners awarded OU Engineering scholarships are:
Egg Car Challenge: Cortlin Hudson and Valaria Sanroman, Moore-Norman Technology Center at Westmoore High School, Moore
Design, Build, Fly Glider Challenge: Preet Damani, Skyler Collins, Will Strawn and Tyson Benford, Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno Campus
Solar Oven Challenge: Daisy Le and Sarah Le, Moore-Norman Technology Center at Westmoore High School, Moore
Helping Hand Challenge: Hudson Jones and Lydia Houpe, Mingo Valley Christian School, Tulsa
OG&E served as the main sponsor, OU Housing and Food Services as the food sponsor and Underground Printing as the T-shirt sponsor.
To learn more about preK-12 programs offered by the Gallogly College of Engineering, visit https://www.ou.edu/coe/explore/k-12-outreach or email dbrasington@ou.edu.
