Northwestern, NextEra Energy Partner for 2026 STEM Camp on Renewable Energy

July 2, 2026

Students and staff from the 2026 Renewable Energy STEM Camp pose for a group photo on the steps of the Charles and Jane Tucker Ranger Plaza at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. Participants are wearing matching navy and white camp caps. June 14-19, 2026.
Students from across Oklahoma travelled to Northwestern Oklahoma State University for a STEM Camp on Renewable Energy. Pictured are: (front row, left to right): Ihunanya Oruche, Ellie Keller, Breana Black, Aanchal Regmi, Alex Delano, Payden Hapner, Cole Wassel, Leigha Vineyard, Chloe Prophet, Harini Vora, Casey Heisner (NextEra Energy), (second row, left to right) Wyatt Bell, Nicolas Zapata, Jaxon Sutton, Julian Close, Reese Powell, Holden Holifield, Jackson Crawford, Aryan Kadapa, Isaac Stell, Jasey Groves, Aiden Lorenzo, Evan Thiessen, Emerson Merrick, (back row, left to right) Mark Rupinski (NextEra Energy); Tim Arnold (NextEra Energy); Alexander Burch, Feranmi Olajide, Coleton Stinson (Northwestern); Cassie Hernandez (Northwestern); Taylor Bass (Northwestern); Coy Bullard (Northwestern); Tanner Roberts (NextEra Energy), Dr. Tim Maharry (Northwestern), Camp Director.

ALVA, Okla. — Northwestern Oklahoma State University played host to the 2026 Renewable Energy STEM Camp June 14-19 on the Alva campus, welcoming high school students from across Oklahoma for a week of hands-on learning about wind, solar, battery storage and hydroelectric power.

Six students and a Northwestern Oklahoma State University student helper work at a round table covered with battery storage training equipment and wiring in the Ranger Room at Northwestern. A NextEra Energy battery diagram is projected on a screen in the background. June 2026.
STEM camp students (left-to-right) Alexander Burch, Alex Delano, Jackson Crawford, Ellie Keller, Northwestern student Coy Bullard and Reese Powell learn about battery storage at the Renewable Energy camp at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

The camp was offered in partnership with NextEra Energy, the world's largest producer of renewable energy, and High Plains Technology Center in Woodward, and was funded through a summer academy grant from the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education.

Three STEM camp students wearing NWOSU lanyards and a High Plains Technology Center instructor stand in front of blue Amatrol AC/DC Electrical Systems training boards at High Plains Technology Center in Woodward, Oklahoma. June 2026.
STEM camp students (left to right) Wyatt Bell, Alexander Burch, Kevin Dixon (HPTC instructor), and Julian Close learn about electrical systems at High Plains Technology Center in Woodward.

Educational sessions took place in the Ranger Room and Shockley Hall on the Alva campus, with additional activities at the High Plains Technology Center in Woodward. Sessions were led by experts in the energy industry.

Students took part in hands-on activities including measuring the power generated by solar panels and building and designing wind turbines. The curriculum also covered battery storage systems and hydroelectric power.

Students attending the camp and their hometowns included: Wyatt Bell, Garber; Breana Black, Stilwell; Alexander Burch, Watonga; Julian Close, Medford; Jackson Crawford, Owasso; Jasey Groves, Kremlin; Alex Delano, Waynoka; Payden Hapner, Mutual; Holden Holifield, Tyrone; Aryan Kadapa, Edmond; Ellie Keller, Woodward; Aiden Lorenzo, Guymon; Emerson Merrick, Norman; Feranmi Olajide, Yukon; Ihunanya Oruche, Enid; Reese Powell, Cleo Springs; Chloe Prophet, Woodward; Aanchal Regmi, Norman; Isaac Stell, Oklahoma City; Jaxon Sutton, Woodward; Evan Thiessen, Corn; Leigha Vineyard, Woodward; Harini Vora, Stillwater; Cole Wassel, Guthrie; and Nicolas Zapata, Woodward.

A NextEra Energy employee and six STEM camp students gather around a red outdoor table at the Charles and Jane Tucker Ranger Plaza at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, examining a small solar panel during a solar energy experiment on a sunny day. June 2026.
NextEra Energy employees and STEM camp students conduct a solar energy experiment at the Charles and Jane Tucker Ranger Plaza on the Northwestern-Alva campus. Pictured are: (left to right) Terry Benton (NextEra Energy); Chloe Prophet, Jasey Groves, Aryan Kadapa, Jaxon Sutton, Aanchal Regmi, and Ellie Keller.

For more information about the camp or the Northwestern Mathematics and Computer Science Department, contact Dr. Tim Maharry, professor of mathematics and chair of the mathematics and computer science department, at tjmaharry@nwosu.edu or call 580-327-8583 or visit their webpage.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480



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