Abby CoppingerThe OERB hosted more than 1,600 students at recent Community STEM Nights in Duncan and Stillwater. This ongoing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) series brings different industries together with educators, parents and students with one common goal; to spark young minds and open eyes to the increasingly important role STEM-based knowledge plays in society and future jobs.
STEM JOBS ARE PROJECTED TO GROW 13% BETWEEN 2017 AND 2027.
Preparing for growth in STEM-related fields, the OERB partnered with organizations, museums and numerous oil and natural gas companies to bring interactive STEM exhibits to the Duncan and Stillwater communities. This year, XTO Energy joined as the event sponsor and Halliburton, Select Energy Services and BK Equipment were the food sponsors, providing free hamburgers and hotdogs to all attendees and exhibitors. The OERB organizes these events to help inspire K-12 kids to become scientists and engineers, while highlighting oil and natural gas career opportunities.
MORE THAN 1,600 ATTENDED DUNCAN & STILLWATER STEM NIGHTS.
Students lined up at hands-on exhibits including live robot coding, a demonstration of how static electricity travels, concocting ‘slime’ of varying densities and cementing barriers to simulate hydraulic fracturing in the field.
Robert, an eighth-grader singled out a science exhibit as his favorite: “I like seeing how static electricity travels, and then when you back away and let go, it kind of like disappears. Pretty neat,” adding that he intends to become a soil physicist when he grows up.
Industry representatives take pride in promoting the next generation of Oklahoma’s science and technology leaders. Andy Townsend, district sales manager and 39-year Halliburton veteran enjoys seeing the whole community get behind the effort.
“This is our future. We want to see these kids grow up and be able to come to work for us. When you get down to it, it’s your friends, and family, and neighbors that work in the industry, and events like these bring that all together.”
OF 100 STEM JOBS, 93% PAY WAGES ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
Parents see the results of the evening’s excitement first-hand. Alexis Washington, mother of Nicholas and Chloe Washington who attend Sangre Ridge Elementary, Stillwater, OK said:
“Chloe has been looking forward to and talking about this for a whole week. Her growing excitement shows she’s really interested.”
Educators appreciate how kids easily grasp the concepts on display in a less formal environment. Jennifer Dixon, Third-grade teacher at Frontier School observed:
“Some students may have a harder time focusing in class. But when they’re able to use their hands, build something and be creative, they’re entirely different. Their creativity just lights up, you can see the excitement in their eyes. I’m really excited we can provide that for them.”
For more information on OERB Community STEM Nights and the industry’s commitment to the future of our kids and our state, go to OERB.com/education/stem-grants.