Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy is collaborating with Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma through the creation of a learning platform that combines science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with sports.
SportsLabs is a five-year pre-game project that will be held at fan fests during football, basketball and other select sporting events on each campus. Many teams will host half-day educational workshops for young sports fans.
SportsLabs will also travel to Oklahoma communities throughout the year to expose more students to the science behind their favorite sports.
“STEM is important for people in all sorts of careers, whether they’re scientists or engineers or athletes,” said Rick Muncrief, president and CEO of Devon. “Many children across Oklahoma love sports and look up to OSU and OU athletes, but they have little understanding about the science behind sports. This ground-breaking partnership with our state’s top universities is intended to foster a love of STEM in all kids, even if they prefer to pick up a football over a calculator.”
The SportsLabs experience uses athletics to enhance comprehension of scientific concepts like physics and velocity. Students are empowered to improve their performance by better understanding the science behind sports.
An exciting aspect of SportsLabs is the involvement of OSU and OU student-athletes, who will assist with running the learning exercises and drills.
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said despite the Bedlam rivalry, the two public universities are aligned in helping educate the next generation of skilled workers.
“OSU and OU might compete in athletics, but when it comes to supporting Oklahoma’s workforce needs, our universities share a common goal,” said Harroz. “Producing more engineers, health professionals and other highly skilled workers is incredibly important for our state’s future. The best way to inspire the leaders of tomorrow is to show young students how science and math affect everything they do, including athletics. The SportsLabs experience will do just that, and we thank Devon for implementing a winning game plan that will help move Oklahoma forward.”