More than 110 undergraduate students will present 70 posters highlighting their original research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Arkansas State Capitol Rotunda in Little Rock.
The University of Central Arkansas is the primary organizer of the event, with support and participation from the Arkansas STEM Coalition and Arkansas State University. This is the fifth year for the Arkansas STEM Posters at the State Capitol.
The Arkansas STEM Posters at the State Capitol is modeled after the STEM Posters program at Murray State University in Kentucky. Both are designed to mirror the Posters on the Hill event at the U.S. Capitol.
Students from 15 Arkansas public and private universities and colleges will be stationed with their posters, which include photographs and other representations of their data, to discuss their research with state lawmakers, high school students, media and the general public. Research will be discussed in layman’s terms so that all in attendance can understand and appreciate the significance of the work.
“This event promotes the good news that is undergraduate STEM education across the state,” said Patrick Desrochers, professor and chair of the UCA Department of Chemistry and principal organizer of this event. “Opportunities for undergraduates exist at schools across Arkansas for students to become immersed in cutting edge research on open-ended, challenging, and exciting problems. Solutions to these problems help Arkansans and people around the world.”
One of the goals of the event is to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the level of complex research in natural sciences and mathematics conducted by students at Arkansas colleges and universities. Another goal is to increase enrollment and retention of students in STEM fields.
To learn more about the Arkansas STEM Posters at the State Capitol event, visit Arkansas STEM Posters at the Capitol.
