WATONGA, Okla. (May 4, 2026) — Watonga students ages 8-13 stepped into the world of sports and science during a hands-on Devon SportsLab experience hosted April 30 by Devon Energy in partnership with Engage Learning and Oklahoma State University.
Devon SportsLab blends athletics with STEM concepts, giving students the opportunity to improve their skills while exploring the science behind movement, performance and technique. Throughout the event, students participated in drills that captured their performance and helped break down the science, technology, engineering and math behind each activity.
Amber Wilson, principal of Watonga Elementary, said the event left a strong impression on students. “The excitement throughout the day was incredible to see,” said Wilson. “Our students were fully engaged, learning new skills and making connections between sports and science in a way that really resonated with them. Meeting the OSU student-athletes made the experience even more meaningful and memorable.”
Oklahoma State University football and basketball student-athletes, along with Engage Learning coaches, guided participants through each activity, helping them connect drills to key STEM concepts. The experience is designed to help students better understand and improve their performance while fostering an interest in STEM by showing how it applies to real-world settings such as sports.
Blair Thacker, community relations representative at Devon Energy, said programs like Devon SportsLab help bring STEM learning to life.
“Devon SportsLab is all about creating opportunities for students to learn by doing,” said Thacker. “By combining sports with STEM concepts, we’re helping students see how these ideas play a role in everyday activities, which makes learning more engaging and impactful.”
There are a variety of Devon SportsLab activations. To learn more, visit devonsportslab.com.