Students from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Autry Technology Center attended the University of Oklahoma College of Engineering Open House on November 11th. Several students competed in scholastic testing and design competitions. Ethan White, a senior from Enid High School, received a first place medal in the computer science competition. Justin Otto, a senior from Drummond High School, received a first place medal in the rubber band powered vehicle competition and tied for third place, out of 170 participants, in the mathematics competition. Travis Harmon, a senior from Cimarron High School, received a second place medal in the rubber band powered vehicle competition, and in a two way tie received a third place medal in the mathematics competition.

In the rubber band powered vehicle contest each participant designed and constructed a vehicle powered only by rubber bands. The objective was to have the most efficient design based on the distance and time the vehicle traveled, as well as its weight. The vehicle had to stay on a three foot wide track. The participants were ranked by an efficiency score. The scores were calculated by taking the distance the vehicle traveled divided by the weight and time. Justin Otto’s score was 4,530 and Travis Harmon’s was 3,915. The third place score was 1,387.