Rose State’s “Wacky” Scientists Make Building a Dream Machine Tons of Fun Published October 30, 2015

Oklahoma City, Okla. – Their hair is standing on end, smoke from dry-ice is rolling off their hands and banana peels appear to be accidentally clinging to their backs. The “wacky” scientist teachers are a sight to see in front of their pupils but the second graders at John Rex Charter Elementary School don’t seem to mind.

It’s about making science fun and the scientists are actually four Rose State College engineering majors (mechanical, aerospace and industrial)recruited to take part in the creative education program called MyMachine.  The program asks elementary aged children to get creative and draw their “dream machine”. Rose State Science students are there to keep the juices flowing and will eventually help bring that dream to life with several life-size prototypes.

“Partnering elementary school learners with college and technical students is a great opportunity to learn from each other,” states Dr. Jeanie Webb, President of Rose State College. “The future of all business is about getting creative and we’re at the forefront of building that skill no matter the age.”

The MyMachine program began in Belgium and through a partnership with Creative Oklahoma is now in Oklahoma and offered by Rose State College.

Rose State is the first higher-education institution in North America to offer the educational concept and John Rex Charter Elementary is leading the way with this launch.

 “We are thrilled to be one of the first schools in the country to implement MyMachine at the elementary level,” says Dr. Joe Pierce, Head of School for John W. Rex Charter Elementary School. “This innovative program reflects John W. Rex Charter Elementary School’s emphasis on STEAM education – science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics – which provides students the opportunity to tap their inner inventors and turn their creative imagination into reality. “

Students and Rose State will get meet up again in December to review designs that will be built. Students will see one of their live, working “dream machines” in the spring of 2016.