OSU FabLab hosts National Summer Transportation Institute camp

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

(STILLWATER, Okla., September 1, 2015) – The OSU FabLab was selected to participate in the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) camp this past July.

The camp, which was sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), was a joint venture between the OSU and OSU-OKC campuses. The purpose of the camp was to create a STEM initiative that educated high school students on the diverse transportation industry.

“From theory to application these students received a phenomenal opportunity to peel back the layers of the transportation industry to really see how it all comes together,” Jeremy Crocker, FabLab coordinator, said.

In partnership with the College of Education, the FabLab hosted the camp and helped create engineering-based activities for the students. While visiting the FabLab, students got an in-depth look at engineering laboratories across the OSU campus. Students performed mechanical testing in the FabLab’s materials testing laboratory to gain engineering insight into the design of transportation infrastructure and vehicles.

In addition, the students participated in an engine dissection laboratory where students worked in teams of four to disassemble and reassemble a small, 4-stroke engine. During the disassembly and reassembly, students performed educational activities that were designed to educate them on the engineering behind how an engine works.

Students also competed in a Play-doh derby to design and build the fastest derby car. The students first had to design their car on paper, and then recreate that car in Play-doh to match the drawings. Students then raced their individual cars to see which team had the fastest car.

“As a hands-on, educational environment, the FabLab really wanted students to have fun and get their hands dirty while learning about engineering and transportation,” Crocker said. “The NSTI camp is a profound opportunity for young minds to find that spark that inspires them, and the OSU FabLab is proud to have been a part of that.”

Along with the FabLab activities, students visited various transportation hubs like the BNSF Network Operations Center, Federal Aviation Administration, ODOT sign shop and the Port of Catoosa to gain an in depth view of the transportation industry.

RELEASE CONTACT: Chelsea Robinson | CEAT Marketing | 405-744-5831 | Chelsea.l.robinson@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.