SWOSU Hosts Oklahoma Giants Academy

Southwestern Oklahoma State University is hosting its first ever Oklahoma Giants—Wind and Oil Summer Academy this summer.

 

Oklahoma high school students are getting the chance to experience this new academy during three five-day sessions on the Weatherford campus.

 

Academy director Jeff Short said Oklahoma history is a tale of two giants, wind energy and oil energy.  In the 19th century, explorers Josiah Gregg and Washington Irving charted and wrote about the vast areas of western Oklahoma and dubbed it the Grand Prairie.  These early explorations were quick to note how quickly the lavish land could turn dangerous with storms, drought and wildfires.  Many found the land was of little value until the discovery of two great resources that would transform the land—Oklahoma wind and Oklahoma oil.

           

            The Oklahoma Giants –Wind and Oil Summer Academy is a summer experience for Oklahoma high school students to explore the science, math, engineering, and technology involved in western Oklahoma’s energy production through wind and natural gas/oil.  SWOSU faculty members have partnered with Florida Power and Light, Chesapeake Energy, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board to provide a myriad of experiences related to energy exploration, production, and distribution.

           

            During the five-day camp, students construct and test working wind generators, conduct experiments to understand concepts of energy, and solve complex energy-related science and mathematical problems.  They also have a chance to see the history of Oklahoma wind energy generation with a visit to the Shattuck Wind Mill Museum and Park.  Students also see the application of the classroom and laboratory by visiting the Sooner Wind Farm, an operating gas drilling operation, the headquarters of Chesapeake Energy, and various other activities.

           

            One more session is planned for July 16-20.

           

            Students who have attended the first two sessions are: BARTLESVILLE—Jarrod L. Moore and Tara Sarathi; CHEYENNE—Patrick Thurmond; CHOCTAW—Martha Grafton; CLINTON—Delaney Hart; COALGATE—Samantha Rote; COLLINSVILLE—Courtnie M. Elkins; JET—Stephanie D. Tucker; MENO—Oscar J. Melendez; MOUNTAIN VIEW—Tyler Colwell and Alex Scrudder; MULHALL—Ryan H. Hunt; OKLAHOMA CITY—Paige H. Abernathy, Robert C. Cail and Jackie B. Nguyen; PONCA CITY—Alice Jeng and Joshua Pauls; SEMINOLE—Brent Biddy and Korrie D. Powell; SHAWNEE—James A. Yarbrough and Jonathan E. Yarbrough; TULSA—Caleb A. Pinter; WEATHERFORD—Megan M. Beasley, Peter Kish, Ty Mays Jr. and Kelley Short; WEWOKA—Lauren Dinsmore; YUKON—Crystal Lamptey.