- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Second Evenings with History Event of the Semester Set For Nov. 1

John Hill — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 13:56:23 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will hold the next meeting in the Evenings with History series on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Historic Arkansas Museum at 200 E. 3rd Street in Little Rock. Dr. Barclay Key, associate professor of history and department chair, will present, “As We See It: Integration at Central High School in the 1970s” from 7-8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:30 p.m. The 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central received a lot of attention, but the actual process of desegregation unfolded slowly over several decades. While conducting research, Dr. Key discovered that Little Rock Central High School students made two films about desegregation in 1972 and 1979. The second film aired in an episode of “As We See It,” a series produced by high school students in conjunction with Chicago PBS, and the episode received a Peabody Award. After a brief introduction, Dr. Key will screen the 29-minute film, which documents the perspectives of black and white students on integration at Central High School and provides glimpses into the successes and failures of school integration in the 1970s. There will be a Q&A discussion following the screening. The Evenings with History series, sponsored by the University History Institute, features presentations by ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty and guest speakers sharing their research and teaching interests. Admission to the series is by subscription, but visitors are welcome to attend individual talks for free. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students may attend free of charge. For more information, people may contact historyinstitute@ualr.edu, 501-916-3236, or visit https://ualr.edu/history/history-institute/.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Members

John Hill — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:13:07 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced its new class of Chancellor’s Leadership Corps (CLC) members for the 2021-2022 academic year.�� The CLC is a leadership development program that provides a student-centered experience focused on leadership building, academic success, and cultivates an environment dedicated to service-learning that will positively impact the community. CLC Scholars receive a financial package totaling up to $32,000 through a four-year renewable scholarship. CLC is the oldest and largest program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Dr. Dorothy Truex started the program in 1976 with just 17 scholars. Corrigan Revels, CLC coordinator, now oversees the CLC program.�� Members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. In addition to their academic work, CLC students volunteer for community service and service-learning projects on campus and in the community. They also participate in one professional or personal development program per academic year. CLC students are heavily involved with the running of the Trojan Food Pantry and Trojan Career Closet.��

New freshmen members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and their CLC student leaders.

New members of the 2021-2022 CLC Scholars and their high schools and majors, if decided, include:

Asad Abu-halimeh, LISA Academy West
Jacob Adams, Bentonville High School, construction management
Syed Ahmad, Valley View High School, biology
Raafia Ali, Little Rock Central High School, psychology
Joel Allen, Erath High School, K-12 health and physical education
Lara Alsader, Allen High School, nursing
Cougar Anderson, Skiatook High School
Jaxson Anderson, Greenbrier High School
Allison Andreassen, Stilwell High School, art history and education
Maria Avalos, Hall High School, nursing
Austin Bailey, Arkansas Christian Academy, electronics and computer engineering technology
Zanaisha Banks, Germantown High School, pre-medicine
Zanautica Barker, Hope High School, psychology
Jason Beason, Sheridan High School, psychology
Lance Beckman, White Hall High School, nursing
Tabana Bode-Palma, Danville High School, nursing
Braeden Botts, Cabot High School, marketing
Ashlynn Brooks, Maumelle High School, management
Chole Buse, Benton High School, student art and design
Jaelle Carlson, engineering
Reece Carter, Mayflower High School, pre-medicine
Karen Cells, Star City High School, pre-law
Malorie Chaney, Paragould High School, psychology
Chandra Daniels, Jacksonville High School
Emily Davis, Vilonia High School, anthropology
Diana Diaz, Little Rock Central High School, pre-medicine
Cole Dwyer, Arkansas Connections Academy, biology
Omar Eldenawi, Little Rock Central High School
Julia Elliott, Benton High School, business
Devin Ellison, El Dorado High School, business
Michael Fells, Little Rock Central High School, criminal justice
Anna Fetherston, North Little Rock High School, pre-medicine
Jordan Fisher, Rison High School, electronics and computer engineering technology
Abigail Gavina, Waldron High School, criminal justice
Stephanie Giblin, Watson Chapel High School, pre-law
Issac Gonzalez, Maumelle High School computer science
Stephen Graham, music
Mohammed Hamwi, LISA Academy West, pre-medicine
Hayden Henderson, Sheridan High School, pre-health
Olivia Henderson, biology
Melina Hernandez, LISA Academy North, social work
Abigail Hickman, Mayflower High School, nursing
Chloe Hines, North Little Rock High School
Tamara Howard, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, communication sciences and disorders
John Hubbel, Blue Valley Southwest High School, health education and promotion
Camryn Jacobs, Longview High School, pre-health
Lucy Jahn, Winter Park High School, business
Lauryn Johnson, North Little Rock High School
Alyssa Joseph, North Little Rock High School, psychology
Victoria Macull, LISA Academy West, pre-pharmacy
Aastha Mahajan, Little Rock Central High School, computer science
Brady Mansfield, Bauxite High School, mechanical engineering technology
Graydon Martin, Arkansas High School, criminal justice
Aryam Martinez, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, pre-physician assistant
Taniya Mason, Jacksonville High School, biology
Kaira Matthews, Parkers Chapel High School, chemistry
Jacob McArthur, Bryant High School, computer science
Amanda Mcfarland, North Little Rock High School, geology
Logan Mcmillan, Star City High School, psychology
Ghory McNutt, Maumelle High School, mechanical engineering technology
Keiyawnna Miller, El Dorado High School, criminal justice
Ashlynn Mitchell, Sylvan Hills High School, civil and construction engineering
Sara Mohammed, White Hall High School, pre-medicine
Alyshia “Oda” Morton, Atkins High School
Nathalie Murphy, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, nursing
Destiny Nagle, Danville High School, nursing
Charneshia Nelson, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, psychology
Rian Newman, Barton High School, criminal justice
Christopher Ocana-Luna, Bryant High School, mechanical engineering technology
Sierra Owens, Cabot High School, nursing
Kevin Pacheco Escobar, Little Rock Central High School, mechanical engineering technology
Xander Parker, Little Rock Central High School, pre-physician assistant
Mariah Perkins, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, theater arts
Zora Perry, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School, nursing
Lauren Pieniazkiewicz, Saint Joseph High School pre-veterinary medicine
Madison Popa, Southside High School, interpretation
Shaelyn Pouncil, Alpena High School, psychology
Kodi Prather, Beebe High School, pre-law
Malia Preston, Sylvan Hills High School, health education and promotion
Pamela Rodriquez, LISA Academy West
Alaina Rogers, Lonoke High School, accounting
Gabriela Romero, Jacksonville High School
Caitlin Romprey, Desert Hills High School
Stephanie Sandoval, Decatur High School, criminal justice
Jack Schlotter, Mount Ida High School political science
Paige Siegler, Cabot High School, biology
Jasanpreet Singh, North Little Rock High School, biology
William Somers, Baptist Preparatory School, business
Ethan Sorrels, Union High School, biology
Jayden Sprout, Arkansas Christian Academy, interpretation
Ivy Sutterfield, Atkins High School, marketing
Devin Trammell, Center Grove High School, health education and promotion
Sylvan Umerah, Little Rock Central High School, nursing
Hollee Wadley, Bryant High School, biology
Makayla Washington, Little Rock Southwest High School middle childhood education
Saraih Weeks, Idabel High School, special education
Colton West, Bauxite High School, mechanical engineering technology
Christian Woods, Sheridan High School, pre-law
Lawren Worthy, Little Rock Central High School, biology

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Donaghey Scholars Cohort

John Hill — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 13:25:05 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is excited to welcome 25 new and talented students to the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program for the 2021-2022 academic year. Donaghey Scholars represent the best and brightest at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. They receive a financial package that includes full tuition and fees, a stipend, financial assistance to study abroad, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program is run by Dr. Simon Hawkins, director, and Dr. Jessica Scott, associate director. The admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview. Admission decisions are based on academic record, test scores, leadership ability, community service, interest in other cultures, recommendation letters, admissions essays, and the interview. The program features an interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, discussion, and project-based learning that engages with the city of Little Rock. The new Donaghey Scholars and their hometown, high school, and intended major are: ·�� Dana Abou-Diab, of Little Rock, LISA Academy West High School, Psychology ·�� Ramsey Alhajjaj, Benton, Benton High School, Undecided ·�� Vivian Angeles, Benton, Centerpoint High School, English ·�� Joyce Childers, Van Buren, West Fork High School, Chemistry ·�� Emily DeAtley, Mountain Home, Mountain Home High School, Nursing ·�� Olivia Hausman, Conway, Pocahontas High School, Computer Science ·�� Owen Haynes, White Hall, White Hall High School, Political Science ·�� Paige Henry, Rockwall, Texas, Rockwall High School, Political Science ·�� Vasti Hernandez, Benton, Centerpoint High School, Nursing ·�� Warren Hoyt, Huntsville, Alabama, Virgil Grissom High School, Mathematics ·�� Hannah Jones, of Bryant, Bryant High School, Engineering ·�� Selin Kartika, of Little Rock, LISA Academy West High School, Accounting ·�� Charity Kelly, of North Little Rock, Sylvan Hills High School, Psychology ·�� Spencer Knight, of Little Rock, eStem High School, Computer Science ·�� Octavia Lydic, of Walhalla, South Carolina, Sacred Heart Homeschool, ASL ·�� Mary Grace McAfee, of Texarkana, Texas High School, Biology ·�� Kelsey Miller, of Hardy, Highland High School, Biology ·�� Armin Mortazi, of Mountain Home, Mountain Home High School, Biology ·�� Rayaan Muhammad, of Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, Biology ·�� Keylee Nixon, of El Dorado, El Dorado High School, ASL ·�� Josh Pack, of Barling, Southside High School, Biology ·�� Adrian Rogers, of Little Rock, Episcopal Collegiate School, Art ·�� Jacelyn Simmons, of Star City, Star City High School, Nursing ·�� Allison Stigarll, of Mansfield, Texas, Mansfield High School, Business ·�� Isabel Ward, of Clarksville, Oark High School, Political Science

Longtime principal joins ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 18:49:49 +0000

As an avid educator and advocate for higher learning, Nancy Rousseau, principal of Little Rock Central High School, has agreed to be a part of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board in hopes of furthering the image of the university. “I look forward to marketing and helping people to regard ��Vlog��ý Little Rock as a very viable institution in which students can get an education,” stated Rousseau. Rousseau made her start at Adelphi University in her hometown of New York. Shortly after graduating with her degree in English, she landed her first teaching job in Port Washington. “I taught English in New York and then in Oklahoma. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” she explained. Her marriage brought her down to Little Rock; however, her love for teaching didn’t go away. Rousseau continued teaching English grades 9-12. After educating for a total of 18 years, she made the decision to further her own education. “I was torn between getting a master’s in educational leadership or going to law school. But when I was thinking about law school, it struck me that I wouldn’t be working with kids – that’s what energizes me is working with children. So, I decided on educational leadership,” said Rousseau. While working in the English department at Pulaski Academy, the road to Central wasn’t far away as she already had a correspondence with the principal at that time, John Hittman. “He and I had several discussions about my philosophy on education and children. Then shortly after, he gave me my first opportunity as assistant principal for Central,” Rousseau explained. Her first time at Central was cut short, but she made sure to build close relationships with her faculty and students. “Mr. Rudolph Howard, who was principal in 1998, became my mentor and was ultimately a wonderful role model for me,” she said. After Howard retired in 2002, Rousseau became principal for Central High. As principal, Rousseau is often faced with a hit of challenges from test scores, attendance, to cellphone use. “It’s always challenging in high school – creating a positive and safe environment for the students is very important,” she continued, “since I’ve been principal here for so many years, it has been possible for me to build a very strong team so that we could provide our students with a positive climate.” Rousseau is also an advocate for technology that will help excel a student’s education. “We provide our teachers with the opportunity to get professional development so that they can be up-to-date on all of the various opportunities for children to learn – whether it’s with technology or otherwise,” she said. What keeps Rousseau ahead of the game is her positive outlook on life – “My philosophy is that you have to find your passion because I would love for everyone to feel the way I do.” She explained how she enjoys waking up every single day for work. “Find that niche and run with it,” she proclaimed. Aside from work, Rousseau enjoys spending her time exploring Little Rock. “I love this city. I think it’s a wonderful area for culture, sightseeing, and outdoor activities. I think it’s a very well-kept secret,” she said. This story was written by Cait Smith of the The Daily Record.

Central High research student from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock named Google Science Fair State Winner

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 13:10:14 +0000

A Little Rock Central High School senior who conducted research under the mentorship of a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty member has been named the Google Science Fair State Winner from Arkansas.�� Anusha Bhattacharyya, of Little Rock, earned the honor for her project, which is focused on finding an inexpensive method of removing Nitrophenols, a chemical found in pesticides, from water. She completed her project under the mentorship of Dr. Anindya Ghosh, professor of chemistry.�� “When I walked into Dr. Ghosh’s laboratory at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock for the first time in the ninth grade, I had very little idea about what I wanted to do,” Bhattacharyya said. “However, I have always had concerns about the environment and believe environmental pollution poses the greatest threat to ours and future generations.”�� Ghosh, who has been working with young student researchers for many years, said he hopes the experience will lead Bhattacharyya to further develop her science skills in college. “I have worked with close to 25 middle and high school students for their science fair research,” Ghosh said. “My goal is to provide them with great research experiences, so that some of these students are encouraged to pursue STEM-related careers. I have worked with Anusha for the last three years, and it has been great to work with such an intelligent and motivated young student.” In her science fair journey, Bhattacharyya has received many recognitions along the way. In the ninth grade, she was named a Google Science Fair Regional Finalist. She has been a finalist in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2018, Bhattacharyya won a scholarship to Arizona State University and a third place $1,000 award in the Earth and Environmental Science category for her research to find a suitable adsorbent using naturally abundant environmentally benign materials to remove nitrophenols from water in an efficient, inexpensive, and sustainable way. All of Bhattacharyya’s research projects have been geared towards solving issues related to environmental pollution. She has worked on alternative energy sources, including finding cheaper fuel cell catalysts and removal of pollutants from water. ��“��Vlog��ý Little Rock provided me my first college experience,” Bhattacharyya said. “Thank you to Dr. Ghosh for opening up his lab and giving me the opportunity to work with him and his students.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Arkansas Science Olympiad April 6

Janea Snyder — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 15:49:19 +0000

This weekend nearly 300 middle and high school students from across Arkansas will convene at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Saturday, April 6, to show off their science skills in the 9th annual Arkansas Science Olympiad.�� The state competition,��which is coordinated through ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s��STEM Education Center,��runs from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on campus. Students will compete for prizes and the chance to advance to the to be held May 31-June 1 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where Bill Nye the Science Guy will greet the teams. All of the teams participated in regional tournaments to advance to the state tournament. Regional tournaments were held at Northwest Arkansas Community College and Arkansas State University-Newport. This year’s state Science Olympiad features 44 events – 22 for middle school students (grades 6-8) and 22 events in the high school division (grades 9-12). Each event presents a challenge that students have to solve within a time limit.��Medals will be awarded in each event, and trophies awarded to the highest-scoring teams. “Science Olympiad is all about problem solving and learning how to balance competing ideas,” said Eric Kaufmann, professor and director of undergraduate studies of mathematics and statistics and state director of the Arkansas Science Olympiad. “In Boomilever, students are asked to design a cantilever beam, which is as light as possible but holds as much weight as possible. They need to go beyond what they learn in the classroom.” Participating schools include Annie Camp Junior High, Cabot Junior High School South, Central Arkansas Christian School, County Line High School, County Line Junior High, Forest Heights STEM Academy, Haas Hall Academy in Bentonville, Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville, LISA Academy Chenal, LISA Academy North, LISA Academy North Middle School, LISA Academy West, LISA Academy West High School, Little Rock Central High, Little Rock Christian Academy, Nettleton High School, Nettleton Junior High School, Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School in Little Rock, Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, and The Academies at Jonesboro. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty assisted with this year’s events – from devising the competitions to running them. In addition, undergraduate and graduate students will assist. Here’s just a few of the creative challenges the students will have waiting for them when they get to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock:

Boomilever – Teams design and build a boomilever supporting a minimum load and to achieve the highest structural efficiency.
Circuit Lab – Participants complete tasks and answer questions about electricity and magnetism.
Codebusters – Teams will cryptanalyze (decode) encrypted messages using cryptanalysis techniques and show skill with advanced ciphers by encrypting or decrypting a message.
Density Lab – Participants compete in activities and answer questions about mass, density, number density, area density, concentration, pressure and buoyancy.
Designer Genes – Participants solve problems and analyze data or diagrams using their knowledge of the basic principles of genetics, molecular genetics and biotechnology.
Elastic Launched Glider – Prior to the tournament, teams design, construct, and test elastic launched gliders to achieve the maximum time aloft.
Fossils – Teams demonstrate their knowledge of ancient life by completing tasks related to fossil identification and classification.
Protein Modeling – Students use computer visualization and online resources to construct physical models of the CRISPR Cas9 protein that is being engineered to edit plant and animal cell genomes and answer questions about the chemistry of protein folding and the interaction of structure and function for model proteins.
Anatomy & Physiology – Students demonstrate understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body systems: cardiovascular, lymphatic and excretory.
Chemistry Lab – Teams complete tasks and answer questions about the science processes of chemistry focused in the areas of physical properties and acids and bases.
Disease Detectives – Participants will use investigative skills in the scientific study of disease, injury, health and disability in populations or groups of people.
Meteorology – This event emphasizes understanding of basic meteorological principles with emphasis on analysis and interpretation of meteorological data, graphs, charts and images.
Mystery Architecture – Teams will be given a bag of building materials and instructions for designing and building a device that can be tested.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock announces Donaghey Scholars for 2018-19

Janea Snyder — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:46:13 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock welcomes 25 new Donaghey Scholars for the 2018-2019 academic year. The Donaghey Scholars Program admissions process is highly competitive. The most promising applicants are invited to campus for an interview. Admission decisions are based on academic record, test scores, leadership ability, community service, interest in other cultures, recommendation letters, admissions essays, and the interview. This year’s incoming class of Donaghey Scholars has an average ACT score of 31. Donaghey Scholars receive a financial package that includes full tuition and fees (up to 18 hours per semester), a stipend, financial assistance to study abroad, a housing subsidy, and a new laptop. The program features an interdisciplinary core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, discussion, and project-based learning that engages with the city of Little Rock. The students, hometown, high school and intended major are:

Emma Chambers, of Little Rock, Pulaski Academy, Studio Art
Alondra Cruz, of Little Rock, Mills University Studies High School, Business
Olivia Fitzgibbon, of Little Rock, eStem, Public Relations
Lucca Garcia, of Sheridan, Catholic High School, Nursing
Sadie Goss, of El Dorado, Parkers Chapel High School, Criminal Justice and Biology
Mohib Hafeez, of Little Rock, Lisa Academy West, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
LaTambria Hampton, of Jonesboro, Academies at Jonesboro High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
Jordan Hancock, of Benton, Benton High School, Art History
Meagan Herbold, of Mabelvale, Bryant High School, Physics and Mathematics
Khristina Huff, of Cleveland, Clinton High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med
Sabah Ismail, of Fort Smith, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Political Science
Nicholas Jaeger, of Leslie, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Computer Science
Savannah James, of North Little Rock, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Political Science
Amelia Jilek, of Alexander, Bryant High School, Philosophy/ Pre-Law
Greyson Kauffman, of Cabot, ��Cabot High School, Criminal Justice and Psychology
Sam Koon, of Little Rock, Little Rock Central High School, English/ Pre-Law
Sydney Kornelsen, of Fallbrook, CA, Escondido Charter High School, Chemistry
Hannah Krehbiel, of Fort Smith, Northside High School, Anthropology and Chemistry
Cecily Mobley, of Fouke, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Systems Engineering
Karson Oakes, of Paragould, Paragould Senior High School, Computer Science
Gage Pipkin, of Jonesboro, Westside High School, Theatre
Philip Plouch, of Little Rock, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Computer Science
Gabrielle Roberts, of Jonesboro, Academies at Jonesboro High School, Biology/ Pre-Vet
Aleigha Smith, of Ward, Cabot High School, Accounting
Ruby Trotter, of Houston, TX, Jersey Village High School, Biology and Chemistry/ Pre-Med

Photo by Benjamin Krain

Central Arkansas high school students win big at international science, engineering fair

Janea Snyder — Wed, 23 May 2018 18:42:39 +0000

Little Rock high school students who took top prizes at the Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair held earlier this year at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock recently advanced to the international competition where two students won big awards. Six Central Arkansas students competed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 13-18. They are:

Mohammed Abuleum, Pulaski Academy
Anusha Bhattacharyya, Little Rock Central High School (ISEF qualifier at State Science and Engineering Fair)
Meghana Bollimpalli, Little Rock Central High School
Sanjana Padala, Little Rock Central High School
Hetvi Shah, Little Rock Central High School
Chengyue “Oscar” She, Little Rock Central High School

Meghana Bollimpalli, 17, of Little Rock, received one of two $50,000 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards for her novel, low-cost approach for synthesizing materials that could greatly cut the production and energy costs of making electrodes for devices like supercapacitors. She found that combining common substances like tea and molasses with nitrogen and phosphorus in a commercial microwave formed a powder that could be used as a coating for electrode-like materials, giving them similar properties of more expensive metals like platinum. She also took home an $8,000 first-place prize in the chemistry category. She is the first top awardee from Arkansas since 1996. Anusha Bhattacharyya won a scholarship to Arizona State University and a third place $1,000 award in the Earth and Environmental Science category for her research to find a suitable adsorbent using naturally abundant environmentally benign materials to remove nitrophenols from water in an efficient, inexpensive, and sustainable way. “We are certainly proud of how well our local students fared in the international competition and how advanced their projects and research were, but that is the nature of STEM disciplines,” said Keith Harris, director of the Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair and a science instructional facilitator in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s STEM Education Center. “These are highly competitive fields, and CARSEF recognizes these emerging scientists whose projects exemplify high degrees of difficulty, thoroughness, complexity, creativity, innovation and effective communication.” The Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair ��is one of several academic competitions for middle and high school students organized yearly by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock STEM Education Center to promote STEM as career options. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has hosted the regional fair continuously since 2011. “Our hope is to give more K-12 students access to and encourage participation in these programs to see what STEM careers are all about, all while increasing support of these programs from the campus and community,” Harris said. This year, about 450 students in grades 4-12 competed in the central Arkansas regional fair. Top winners earned the right to advance to the international fair where they faced competition from nearly 1,800 participants from 75 countries, regions, and territories. The 2019 Central Arkansas Regional Science and Engineering Fair will take place on March 1, 2019. For more information about programs offered, visit ualr.edu/stemcenter Top right photo: Sanjana Padala, Anusha Bhattacharyya, Meghana Bollimpalli, Hetvi Shah, Mohammed Abuelem (Pulaski Academy), Oscar She attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Penn., on May 13-18, 2018. Photo by Patrick Foley, Little Rock Central High School

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Arkansas Science Olympiad April 6-7

Janea Snyder — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 14:37:42 +0000

This weekend more than 300 middle- and high-school students from across Arkansas will convene at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the 8th annual Arkansas Science Olympiad, which is coordinated through the university’s STEM Education Center. The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Friday, April 6, in Dickinson Hall lobby, and competitions run Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. around campus. Students will compete for prizes and the chance to advance to the National Science Olympiad to be held May 18-19 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. This year’s Science Olympiad features 42 events – 21 for middle school students (grades 6-8) and 21 events in the high school division (grades 9-12). Each event presents a challenge that students have to solve within a time limit. Medals will be awarded in each event, and trophies awarded to highest-scoring teams. New this year is the Raye Montague Trophy, which will be awarded to the highest-ranking majority female team. The award is named in honor of Arkansas native Raye Montague, an engineer for the U.S. Navy who in 1970 created the first computer-generated rough draft of a naval ship. She was given a month to complete the assignment and finished the task in 19 hours. (Raye Montague is also the mother of David Montague, director of eLearning and professor of criminal justice at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.) “One of the goals of Science Olympiad is to encourage more women to participate in the sciences, and we encourage them through competition,” said Eric Kaufmann, professor and director of undergraduate studies of mathematics and statistics, and state director of the Arkansas Science Olympiad. The competition started with just seven teams in 2011; this year 29 teams are competing. This is also the first year for multiple regional tournaments with earlier competitions held at Northwest Arkansas Community College and ASU-Newport. Participating schools include Central Arkansas Christian School in North Little Rock, Benton High, Sylvan Hills High in Sherwood, Parkview Science and Arts Magnet in Little Rock, Lisa Academy West, Lisa Academy North High, Lisa Academy��North Middle, Lisa Academy Chenal, Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville and Bentonville, Little Rock Central High School, County Line High in Branch, Nettleton Junior High and High schools, The Academies at Jonesboro, Little Rock Christian Academy, Cabot Junior High and Annie Camp Junior High��in Jonesboro. “It’s definitely growing,” Kaufmann said. “Our entire goal was to get students excited about science, and there’s an enthusiasm in these students. Science Olympiad just brings it out.” About three dozen ��Vlog��ý Little Rock faculty have a hand in this year’s events – from devising the competitions to running them. Scientists from ��Vlog��ýMS, the Arkansas Geologic Survey, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Museum of Discovery, Central Arkansas Astronomical Society, and the Little Rock Zoo also are helping run the events. In addition, about two dozen undergraduate and graduate students will be assisting as community service. “It’s really a tremendous outreach program,” said Thomas Clifton, interim dean of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Our community partners really help us make this event a success, and our own students get very involved. It’s our hope that every middle school or high school student who participates in Science Olympiad feels the excitement that comes from solving a problem and reaching a goal.” Here’s just a few of the creative challenges the students will have waiting for them when they get to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock: Battery Buggy – Students bring their pre-built buggy to the event and are given a set distance their buggy must travel. They must design a cart to travel that exact distance in the quickest time and stop at the target point. Mystery Architecture – Student have 30 minutes to design, build, and test a structure (bridge, tower, or cantilever beam) using unknown materials. Wright Stuff – ��Students design, build, and launch rubber-band powered balsa wood airplanes. The plane that stays in air the longest is the winner. Game-On: ��Students are given a theme and have 50 minutes to design and develop a computer game using the program SCRATCH. Hovercraft – Students take a written test that covers mechanics, and then they build a craft, which must travel from Point A to Point B in a certain time. Missions Possible (Rube Goldberg Machine.) The challenge: Build a simple machine in the most complicated way possible. Towers – The team that designs the lightest tower that supports the most weight will be declared the winner. Potions and Poisons – Chemistry challenge based on household poisons and venoms found in nature.

Arkansas students to perform at Shakespeare Scene Festival March 8-9

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:54:52 +0000

About 300 elementary, ��junior high, and high school students from central Arkansas will perform at the Shakespeare Scene Festival on Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Students from Arnold Drive Elementary School, Bethel Middle School, Dardanelle Middle School, Henderson Middle School, and Little Rock Central High will perform from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the University Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts. The festival provides teachers and students a venue for the performance of Shakespeare’s plays. It is sponsored by the Department of English and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. The festival is free and open to the public. For a performance schedule, visit the festival’s website. For more information, contact the festival’s director, Dr. Kris McAbee, at kxmcabee@ualr.edu.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Second Evenings with History Event of the Semester Set For Nov. 1

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Chancellor’s Leadership Corps Members

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes New Donaghey Scholars Cohort

Longtime principal joins ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Board

Central High research student from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock named Google Science Fair State Winner

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to host Arkansas Science Olympiad April 6

����Vlog��ý Little Rock announces Donaghey Scholars for 2018-19