AR STEM Day @The Capitol is a one-day, student-led advocacy event held on April 1 that is designed to highlight the importance of STEM education in Arkansas. With funding from sponsors Nabholz Construction, Brown Engineers, and Jackson Brown Palculict Architects, student teams from EAST Ini tiative programs will travel to the State Capitol from all regions of the state to participate in the day’s events. Students will exhibit their STEM-related projects in the capitol rotunda and meet with legislators. The event’s press conference will be held at 12:15 PM featuring EAST students, Senators Jane English (District 13), Missy Irvin (District 24) are expected, as well as other elected officials, and EAST President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Dozier.
“We know that STEM education helps prepare students for high-demand, highly skilled, higher-wage careers by fostering a climate of critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving as well as teaching an abundance of hard skills. AR STEM Day @ The Capitol Day spotlights the incredible STEM learning our EAST students do every single day in over 250 schools in Arkansas.” said Hannah Vogler, Executive Director of The Arkansas STEM Coa lition. “STEM jobs continue to grow exponentially every year, and Arkansas employers need our students to be prepared for those jobs. Investing in STEM education and the EAST Initiative means an investment in a stronger and more prosperous future for Arkansas.” Dozier noted that EAST has played a crucial role in advancing STEM in Arkansas for 30 years now through its innovative programming that provides students with the resources and support to explore, learn and ultimately excel in STEM subjects while making meaningful contributions to their communities.
“Investing in STEM is essential for Arkansas to remain competitive and prosperous in the future,” Dozier said. “Our EAST students are excited for the opportunity to engage with leaders about the work they’re doing in their communities combining technology and STEM education.” Vogler said, “Partnering with the EAST Initiative was a very easy choice because of EAST’s mission – to provide students with an environment that fos ters relevant, individualized, life-changing experiences through service and technology. Students in EAST’s program are among the best and brightest in the state, and they are learning STEM skills every day in their EAST classrooms. We think students are the best at showing legislators how important STEM education is, and we can’t wait for them to show our elected officials what they can do.”
For more information about The Arkansas STEM Coalition, please visit www.ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com. Additional information on the EAST Initia tive can be found atwww.eastinitiative.org.