To celebrate National Engineers Week, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa has challenged local students to show their creativity while learning about science, engineering and the design process.  The project is made possible through funding from Public Service Company of Oklahoma.
 
For the fourth consecutive year, OSU-Tulsa will host the Engineering Design Challenge on Feb. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Main Hall Commons.   Student teams from several area schools will design, build and race a self-propelled, motorized watercraft during the event.
 
"A focus on education is a key component of PSO´s corporate funding efforts and our community involvement," said Bill McKamey, PSO Vice President for External Affairs. "We are pleased to help support this OSU-Tulsa engineering challenge."
 
OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl said this year’s Challenge is the biggest event yet and he’s delighted to see the rise in popularity.
 
“It’s exciting to see the increase in the number of students who are interested and attracted to engineering design at a young age,” Trennepohl said.   “We’ll continue to encourage their desire for exploration as OSU-Tulsa expands our research vision with the construction of the Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center.”
 
Tulsa-area high schools competing include Central, Edison, Nathan Hale, McLain High School for Science and Technology, Booker T. Washington, Dove Science Academy, Bixby and Bishop Kelley.   Elementary school students from Academy Central and Roosevelt will also participate.   Also expected to attend are students from Jenks West Intermediate, Tulsa Technology Center and KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory.
 
Dr. Carl Latino, OSU associate professor of engineering, will lead the Challenge again this year. Awards will be given in categories such as fastest boat, aesthetics and teamwork.
 
Founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, National Engineers Week was created to raise awareness of the contributions of engineers and to promote recognition of the importance of engineering
 
OSU-Tulsa is located just north of downtown at 700 N. Greenwood Ave., near I-244 and Detroit Avenue.  For more information, call 918-594-8000.
 
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving approximately 520,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma.  Based in Tulsa, PSO has more than 4,000 megawatts of generating capacity, and is the largest provider of wind energy in the state.