What happens when you mix highway engineering with student creativity? You get Oklahoma’s first-ever Snowplow Naming Contest, a statewide challenge launched by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). From now through September 15, students from kindergarten through 12th grade can submit names for 24 snowplows that will be hard at work this winter.

The contest is simple but meaningful: each of ODOT’s eight districts will select the top three names, and then the public will vote online from September 29 to October 3. Winners will be announced on October 10, with each chosen name proudly displayed on the side of a snowplow. Students will also receive an ODOT prize pack and a VIP photo with their named plow.

Engineering on Display

At first glance, the contest may seem like a bit of fun (and it is), but it also shines a spotlight on the serious engineering behind Oklahoma’s snow and ice response. ODOT operates more than 600 snowplows across 30,445 highway lane miles. During a single February storm in 2025, crews cleared more than 460,000 miles of roadway. That’s the equivalent of driving coast-to-coast from New York to Los Angeles 166 times.

This kind of work isn’t just about horsepower; it’s about systems engineering. Snowplow operations involve GPS tracking, route optimization, real-time weather monitoring, and logistics planning that keep Oklahoma’s roads safe and open. Each time a student’s chosen name rolls out into a storm, it’s a chance to see the visible side of engineering in action.

Inspiring the Next Generation

For the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation, this contest is more than a naming challenge. It’s an opportunity to connect young people with the power of engineering to solve real-world problems. Students start with a creative idea and then watch it become a visible part of their community’s infrastructure. It’s design thinking, problem-solving, and civic pride, all rolled into one.

How to Get Involved

Students, teachers, and parents can find details and submit entries through OkTraffic.org. Public voting opens September 29, and a new snowplow tracking map will launch October 27, letting everyone follow their named plows in real time.

So whether your idea is witty, punny, or packed with Oklahoma spirit, now’s your chance to leave a mark on winter and to celebrate the engineering that keeps our state moving when the snow starts to fall.