The Education Renewal Zone works closely with school and University of Arkansas partners to address the needs of both groups though a variety of methods. Both formal and informal needs assessments are used to determine how the ERZ can support its partners. The list below details some of our current efforts to address partner needs. However, the list is not exhaustive, and programs and initiatives are continually changing to meet partners’ needs.
Future Teacher’s Day
At the request of public school partners, Future Teacher’s Day was created to encourage local students to pursue degrees in education at the University of Arkansas. This event is a partnership between the ERZ, the UA Office of Admissions, and partner schools. Students who attend take a campus tour, receive information about admissions and careers in education, participate in a mock class, and speak with current UA pre-service teachers and teacher education faculty.
Razorback STEM Day
Twice per academic year, the University of Arkansas ERZ, in partnership with U of A STEM faculty and students, host a group of elementary students from one of our local partner schools for Razorback STEM Day. Students spend the day on campus learning about and constructing several STEM projects in smaller groups. STEM projects in the past include: building spaghetti bridges, paper link chains, building roller coaster tracks out of Keva blocks, and molding with modeling clay.