Oklahoma is known for its red soil. But what, exactly, makes our soil red? Professor Shiping Deng, Ph.D., of Oklahoma State University, says it’s the iron oxides – and although the oxidized form of iron is actually orange in the pure state as observed in the laboratory, it shows up bright red in the soil because of the fine...
When each day starts within any Oklahoma public school this year, the only ringing that will be heard is the school bell, thanks to Senate Bill 139, which passed before the start of the 2025-26 school year.
From the first bell at the start of the day until the dismissal bell, personal electronic devices – cell phones, smart watches, smart...
Education has changed drastically since Oklahoma’s first class convened in 1889. In that private or “subscription” school, parents paid tuition of $1.50 per student. Today, most Oklahomans are used to a far more “traditional” educational route, but the creative spirit lingers with different approaches to educating Oklahoma youth.
Charter Schools
Students with Dove Science Academy charter public school are teaching a...
Oklahoma’s myriad array of STEM programs are preparing students for future careers. Across the state, these programs give students an unusual blend of both technical and executive functioning skills meant to support long-term success in a variety of careers.
Dylan Zemlin, president of Sooner Competitive Robotics (SCR) based at the University of Oklahoma, can speak to this long-term success –...
In Oklahoma, athletes with disabilities are reshaping the world of sports through creativity, resilience and innovations that make competition more inclusive than ever. Through adaptive sports, anyone with disabilities can join in on fun – or the fierce competitiveness.
“The Center offers adaptive sports at various levels of development, recreational and competitive play,” says Margie Crossno, director of programs and...
Oklahoma’s waters are buzzing with a new wave of fly-fishing fever, as anglers discover the state’s untapped potential for hooking warm water species with artificial flies. Far beyond its trout-centric reputation, fly fishing is reeling in enthusiasts chasing temperate bass, black bass, panfish and nongame species, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC).
But what, exactly, is fly...
Drone racing is gaining popularity in Oklahoma. In fact, our state played host to the 2025 MultiGP Drone Racing Championship, and hosts the Thunderbird Drone Festival in Tulsa.
Tad Douce, executive director of MultiGP Drone Racing, explains the burgeoning phenomenon.
“Drone racing is special because the pilot is wearing a set of goggles, getting a video feed from a camera mounted...
River otters feed on small fish, crayfish and turtles, and thus “are an important part of river systems in keeping those populations in control,” says Mark Howery, a non-game biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
And, Howery says, “they are often a species that people find very endearing. They enjoy watching them and having them around.”
But as with...
“In Oklahoma, yard trimmings and grass clippings can make up 15 to 25% of a community’s waste,” says David Hillock, a consumer horticulturist with the Oklahoma State University Extension. “The costs of collecting and transporting yard waste and the subsequent landfill tipping fees may be a considerable portion of a community’s waste management budget. These costs may be reduced...
The Oklahoma panhandle is a curious part of state. Previously known as No Man’s Land, the approximately 6,000 square miles were added to Oklahoma upon statehood in 1907.
“The Oklahoma panhandle is a product of the reduction of the boundaries of the Republic of Texas following its admission to the Union, as the Missouri Compromise and later the Compromise of...
