EAST Conference In Hot Springs Draws National Audience
by March 23, 2015 9:38 am 214 views
Last week, the National EAST conference met in Hot Springs to recognize the work of students from around the country.
EAST – which teaches Environmental and Spatial Technology – is a project-based, service-learning oriented program that works with students gain insight into their own abilities to acquire and use information and gain valuable problem-solving experience.
Since its inception in 1996, the EAST model has expanded to over 220 schools in five states (Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania). It started with one class in Greenbrier, Arkansas.
“The 2015 EAST Conference is truly the highlight of the school year with so many great projects, so many great students and so many learning opportunities,” said Matt Dozier, The EAST Initiative President and CEO. “This event demonstrates the power of community service, sophisticated technology and innovative thinking that happens every day in EAST classrooms.”
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
Harrisburg Middle School in Harrisburg, Ark., was awarded the Timothy R. Stephenson Founder’s Award, presented to the EAST program that most exemplifies the EAST model of project-driven, student-led education.
Other finalists for the Founder’s Award included Dover High School, Greenbrier High School, Helen Tyson Middle School, Joe T. Robinson Middle School and Roberts Elementary School.
Helen Tyson Middle School won the Founder’s Award Category for Project Sophistication and Innovation. Prairie Grove Middle School won the Founder’s Award Category for Community and Collaboration. Greenbrier High School won the Founder’s Award Category for Student Growth.
Dover High School was recognized for its “Troop J: Our Involvement” project by winning the National Service Project competition, in partnership with the Department of Emergency Management at Arkansas Tech University. The theme of the National Service Project was “Ready. Set. Plan: Emergency Planning and Preparedness.”
The 2016 National EAST Conference is set for March 15 -17, 2016, in Hot Springs.