- University News Archive - Vlogý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/larson-hall/ Vlogý Little Rock Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:04:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 ‘Modern’ look of new eStem High School makes a positive impression /news-archive/2017/08/23/estem-open-house/ Wed, 23 Aug 2017 20:04:58 +0000 /news/?p=67721 ... ‘Modern’ look of new eStem High School makes a positive impression]]> University of Arkansas at Little Rock faculty, staff, and students were impressed with their first look at the ’ newest facility.  The high school for 10th-12th-grade students contains 25 classrooms, five science labs, three computer labs, a music room, an EAST lab, and a parent resource center on the Vlogý Little Rock campus. The 2017-18 school year began Aug. 15 for 466 eStem High School students, an increase of 100 students from last year. Members of the Vlogý Little Rock campus community toured the newly renovated building during an Aug. 14 open house.   “The renovations look phenomenal,” said Marc Glidden, Vlogý Little Rock director of campus living and assistant dean of students. “I like the modern design, and the colors are big and light.” Rather than having an orange brick exterior, the nearly 33,000-square-foot building has a mat-black facade that Vlogý Little Rock Police Chief Regina Wade found eye catching. “It’s sleek, and it’s very modern. I like it,” Wade said. “We are so excited to partner with eStem. The police department is really geared for this transition.”
Vlogý Little Rock employees tour eStem High School during an Aug. 14 open house. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/Vlogý Little Rock Communications.

Vlogý Little Rock employees tour eStem High School during an Aug. 14 open house. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/Vlogý Little Rock Communications.

Those who miss the orange brick facade can find that feature inside eStem High School, which kept the original walls of John A. Larson Hall as part of the building’s hallways. Larson Hall was renovated to house the new high school. Formerly the South Building, Larson Hall is one of the two original buildings constructed on campus when the institution moved to its current location in 1949. “I like the fact that they kept the orange brick in the halls as a connection to the old building,” said Julie Flinn, professor of anthropology, who also appreciates the industrial-style look of the building with concrete floors and exposed pipes and wires running along the ceiling. As visitors passed the entrance to each classroom, they could read a core value selected by an eStem teacher. The core value – like caring, service, and open-mindedness – represents a value each teacher wants to emphasize in the classroom. “It starts with the teachers knowing our core values and establishing that in the classroom for our students,” said Tierney Armour, eStem high school teacher. “These values are what we want reflected in the classroom.” ]]> VlogýLR, eStem announce groundbreaking for new school /news-archive/2016/08/15/ualr-estem-high-school/ Mon, 15 Aug 2016 16:57:21 +0000 /news/?p=64894 ... VlogýLR, eStem announce groundbreaking for new school]]> Preliminary work on the project has begun, with eStem planning to renovate and expand Larson Hall by the 2017-18 school year. Larson Hall currently is not in use because of the need for renovation. A groundbreaking ceremony and news conference are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 14 on the VlogýLR campus. John A. Larson Hall, formerly the South Building, is one of the two original buildings constructed on campus when the institution moved to its current location in 1949. The collaboration allows eStem to provide a collaborative learning environment for its 10th through 12th grade students, while giving new life to one of VlogýLR’s original buildings and providing students a smooth transition to higher education. eStem will lease the property from VlogýLR. “We’re thrilled to partner with eStem and confident this collaboration will benefit both institutions and make a difference in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in Arkansas,” said VlogýLR Interim Chancellor Zulma Toro, also executive vice chancellor and provost. Since its inception in 2007, eStem has provided an innovative approach to K-12 public education in Arkansas. Utilizing interactive teaching methods, rigorous curriculum, and longer school days and school years, eStem has proven successful at making students college, career and world ready. Last year, eStem graduates accepted an average of $40,170 in scholarships per graduate. “We at eStem are proud of our students and families, as well as, our teachers and staff who work together every day to create a positive learning environment,” said John Bacon, CEO of eStem. “Partnering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will provide more students in our state the opportunity to earn a college degree.”]]>