SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING
MATH
Expanding the capacity and diversity of the Arkansas STEM workforce pipeline through rigorous STEM education
We envision a world... where Arkansas is a key participant in the global economy because our workforce has the skills and knowledge to compete in an increasingly STEM -based marketplace. The Arkansas STEM Coalition is a statewide partnership of business, education, government, and community leaders focused on building excellent science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational opportunities across Arkansas. We are dedicated to expanding Arkansas’ economy and producing higher paying jobs.
The Arkansas STEM Coalition is the only organization of its kind involved with all facets of education, from K-12 through university, and the only venue bringing together the leaders from business, education, government, and philanthropy to work collaboratively to bolster Arkansas’ economic standing globally. The STEM Coalition exists to connect the state’s most promising talent with industry, through private-public investment and collaboration. Through our work, we are building a high quality workforce positioned for the growing knowledge economy. Leaders of the Arkansas STEM Coalition believe that diversifying the state’s economy by developing programs and partnerships will stimulate joint industry and university research and development (R&D) and will benefit state-based industries. It is essential to invest in the technologies the new economy would most reward, and for which Arkansas has special strengths.
“STEM-based learning has provided me with the opportunity to learn in a way that makes more sense to me. It has allowed me to be more engaged and interested during school. EAST has provided me with the opportunity to further my STEM education by allowing me access to technology that I would not be able to use otherwise.”
— Caden Carreno, 8th Grade Springdale School of Innovation EAST Initiative
Program Highlights Through Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Computer Science Initiative, Arkansas K-12 students actively engage in a superior and appropriate computer science education. STEM Coalition members comprise a significant portion of the Arkansas Computer Science Task Force.
The Arkansas STEM Coalition collaborates with Walmart’s Arkansas initiative for Million Women Mentors, focused on engaging 5,000 Arkansas STEM mentors to increase the interest and confidence of girls and women to persist and succeed in STEM programs and careers. Kickoff events in eight cities across the state have already taken place. The Arkansas STEM Coalition Laptop Loan Education Program is a partnership with AT&T, providing Arkansas students in grades 4- 12 the opportunity to strengthen coding and computer science skills through the loan of up to 70 laptops to schools, nonprofits and community organizations. Apply on our website at ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com. Students can enrich their understanding of engineering through a variety of Robotics Programs that AR STEM Coalition promotes, including Arkansas First, Best Robotics, the Botball Educational Robotics Program, FIRST LEGO League Arkansas, the Regional Autonomous Robotics Circuit Competition (RARC), and the VEX Robotics Competition.
License Plate Program Each year, the Arkansas STEM Coalition partners with the Arkansas Committed to Education Foundation to encourage Arkansas citizens to purchase an educationthemed specialty license plate. By choosing to purchase a specialty license plate when they register their car tags, Arkansas citizens provide science equipment and training to students and teachers across the state. Since 2012, more than $600,000 has been granted for funding science equipment for students in grades 3-6 and support for teachers who instruct these students. The AR STEM Coalition administers the funds through the 12 Arkansas STEM Centers for schools that request grants to purchase science equipment. Check the ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com website to see the impact of these educational license plates and how the program has impacted learning for thousands of Arkansans. AR STEM Coalition is proud to administer this fund.
1,116 Te ach ers Tra i ne d
153
182
School Districts Supported
Schools Funded
$600,000+ In Funds for Science Equipment & Support
38,955 Students Impacted
Program Highlights
Program Highlights
More than 100 high school girls gathered at the Girls Leadership Conference at Henderson State University to learn about STEM careers.
STEM Girls
Leadership Conferences Arkansas STEM Girls Leadership Conferences address the need to increase girls’ interest and engagement in STEM through innovative, nationally-recognized informal science education programs where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. The Arkansas Department of Career Education supports this programming through the Carl D. Perkins federal program. To host these conferences, the Arkansas STEM Coalition distributes grants to 12 STEM Centers across the state. In two years, 23 conferences have been offered, with more than 1,150 girls in grades 10-12 attending.
1,150+
Girls and Young Women Engaged
23
Conferences Held
Professional Development The STEM Coalition has a great connection with Arkansas educators through its STEM Center professional development offerings and partnerships. Since 2011, the Arkansas STEM Coalition has: Collaborated with 12 Arkansas STEM Centers to offer professional development in the summer, after school, in the classroom, and at the Regional STEM Centers, reaching 3,600 PreK through College teachers per year. Supported the 12 Arkansas STEM Centers in working with pre-service training for those who are graduating from college and entering the teaching profession. Provided Robotics training for Directors and Math and Science Specialists at the 12 Arkansas STEM Centers. Promoted Family STEM Nights and STEM activities with organizations such as the Arkansas Out-of-School Network to encourage STEM studies after school and during summer.
The Arkansas STEM Coalition has convened business, education, government, and community leaders through the following events since 2011: 8 Regional STEM Think Tanks to develop strategies to promote STEM education and business partnerships. 24 STEM statewide meetings to explore STEM business needs. 3 Computer Science Leadership Summits to discuss the future of computer science education. 3 STEM Policy Summits to understand state policy barriers and development needs for the advancement of STEM education and the STEM workforce pipeline
Program Highlights
STEM Center Directors take a LEGO robotics course at Pulaski Technical College.
A Statewide Initiative University of Arkansas Center for Math & Science Education / NASA Educator Resource Center, Fayetteville University of Arkansas Fort Smith Institute for Math & Science Education
Arkansas Tech University STEM Center, Russellville University of Arkansas at Little Rock Arkansas Partnership for STEM Education Henderson State University STEM Center, Arkadelphia Southern Arkansas University STEM Center for K-12 Education, Magnolia For contact information, go to ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com
University of Central Arkansas STEM Institute, Conway
Harding University STEM Center for Mathematics and Science, Searcy Arkansas State University Rural STEM Education Center, Jonesboro
Arkansas State University Delta STEM Education Center, Jonesboro East Arkansas Community College A-State Satellite Location, Forrest City University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Center for Math/Science Education University of Arkansas at Monticello STEM Center The Arkansas STEM Coalition is a statewide partnership that engages the Arkansas Network of STEM Centers, which serves to enrich knowledge and teaching practices of teachers in STEM. The Network links higher education institutions to K-12 public schools, educational service cooperatives, and businesses, while also providing services and resources for teachers, administrators, and students.
Six Things We Know To Be True.
1 2 3 4 5 6
STEM education must be elevated as a state priority.
STEM education is closely linked with our state’s economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
The connection between STEM and economic development must be articulated to parents, policymakers, and the public.
Arkansas must prepare students in STEM to keep Arkansas innovative and competitive.
Policymakers at every level must be informed about policy issues related to STEM education.
Only through bipartisan, evidence-based policies and a strong, united community will we build an excellence in STEM education.
Industry Partners Generous and dedicated industry partners help make statewide STEM programs a reality. Whether it is a girls coding conference, a robotics competition, a teacher training day, or the laptop loan program, these initiatives would not be possible without our team of partners that help make STEM education a priority in Arkansas.
Become an Industry Partner! The future of the economy is in STEM. That is where the jobs of tomorrow will be. Join the Arkansas STEM Coalition as an industry partner. Why? Here are three reasons:
1
Innovative, visionary businesses are needed to provide leadership to be a connective force and a forum, to learn and emulate what works for companies and industries and to link investment opportunities with creative groundbreaking ideas.
2
Arkansas STEM Coalition is the innovative statewide partnership of business, education, government and community leaders connecting ideas and people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for growth and opportunity in Arkansas.
3
Arkansas STEM Coalition is a catalyst providing the inspiration and opportunity to develop a well-trained STEM workforce, making it possible for Arkansas to attract and maintain employers to the State as well as ensure that Arkansas is a key leader in the global workforce and economy.
partner quote
Walmart VP Technology Modernization Rita Carney and Sr. Manager of Talent Strategy Andrea Roberts discuss corporate STEM initiatives at a regional Arkansas STEM Coalition meeting.
Education & Community Partners Through its partnerships with education organizations and state departments, the Arkansas STEM Coalition is helping grow STEM education across the state. Some of our key accomplishments in partnership with education and community partners include: Creating 12 STEM Centers at 12 universities from 1993 to 2003. Improvement in mathematics and science education is taking place through regional centers at 12 universities and 15 educational service cooperatives throughout the state. Engaging 27 Mathematics Specialists and 27 Science Specialists at the universities and educational cooperatives. Specialists provide and coordinate continuing mathematics and science education for teachers in levels PreK through College. The center directors and the specialists work together in many efforts to align curriculum and provide in-service opportunities. Presenting Regional Leadership “Think Tank� meetings in eight locations across the state over three years for leaders representing business, education, foundations, government and chambers of commerce to create ways to collaborate on STEM initiatives. The overarching goal is to educate students to be ready for 21st century technical jobs and to fill the workforce needs of Arkansas businesses.
Arkansas Academy of Computing
As governor, I want to put Arkansas’s students ahead of the competition. Every student needs to know that exciting opportunities to learn computer science and coding are real and available to them, right here in Arkansas. Because of our state’s efforts to promote STEM education, students are learning to speak the language of innovation, and cultivate the skills needed to meet the state’s technology workforce needs.
— Asa Hutchinson Governor of Arkansas
Governor Asa Hutchinson visits with students at Spring Hill High School on his 2016 Computer Science Coding Tour of Arkansas schools. Photo courtesy of the governor’s office.
501.425.9995 @ArkansasSTEM /ARSTEMCoalition ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com P.O. Box 3142, Little Rock, AR 72203
Special thanks to our brochure sponsors:
Arkansas Stem Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Front cover photo by University of Arkansas Fort Smith