Western Oklahoma fourth-through-sixthgrade students turned their ideas into reality as they designed, built and presented their own “Simple Machine Mini Golf” prototypes at this year’s Design+Do Challenge, sponsored by Devon Energy in partnership with Engage Learning.

Students from Kingfisher, Okarche, Hinton and El Reno applied real-world engineering concepts through hands-on construction, using raw materials, laser cutters and 3D-printed components.

Each team also managed a real budget with a $100 materials gift card included in their competition kits.

Engage Learning coaches and Devon volunteers supported student teams as they followed the design and engineering process, built prototypes and prepared for competition.

Teams gathered at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), with their mini golf prototypes and learned the surprise design “twist” of creating a working golf caddy on competition day to test their creativity and problem-solving under pressure.

The students then presented their designs to a panel of judges.

Teams were scored on ingenuity, presentation, construction, use of simple machines and their ability to adapt to the surprise challenge.

Teams from Kingfisher Upper Elementary won first and second place while Hinton Elementary took third place.

Scott Unruh, superintendent at Devon Energy and a judge at this year’s event, said watching the students’ ideas come to life was a highlight.

“ Seeing the students’ creativity and problem- solving firsthand was remarkable,” said Unruh. “Design+Do Challenge gave them a hands-on way to experiment, think critically and build confidence, all while proving that problem-solving can be both creative and fun.”

Kelli Smalling, executive director at Engage Learning said the challenge helps students realize their potential as innovators.

“What impresses me most is the moment students realize they have created something that didn’t exist before the challenge,” Smalling said. “That’s something the Design+Do competitions pull to the surface…the ability for students to learn they can rise to the challenge and solve real-world problems.”

According to Tangi Smith, community relations supervisor at Devon Energy, events like this help spark a lasting interest in STEM learning.

“At Devon, we’re proud to support opportunities that encourage students to think like engineers, work together and have fun,” Smith said. “STEM education is about giving students a chance to explore in an engaging way.”