Participants in the Engineering Scholars Program hosted this week by UALR’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology competed in a robotics contest in which the high school whizzes program their robots to perform assigned tasks.

The contest is part of a two-week Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) UALR is hosting for 21 high school students in which they participate in engineering activities, learning about the profession and interacting with engineering professors. The average scholar participating in the program this year holds a 3.8 grade point average and ACT score of 28.

The objective of ESP is to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through hands-on engineering projects, visits to engineering companies, and interaction with industry professionals.

The program also provides career and scholastic counseling to assist students in preparing for college. The exposure to engineering, counseling, and advising sessions will help high school students make informed choices on appropriate course work during their high school years for pursuing future careers in engineering.

The two-week residential program also gives students an opportunity to experience some aspects of college life while they are in high school. The program is free and includes introductory classes in systems, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications engineering.

Participating students are Cody Dykes of Leola; Colton Haney of Alexander; Mallory Hooper of Rosie; Catie Junkins of Bryant; Ana Martinez of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico; Taylor McKie of Jacksonville; Shelby Paschal of Mammoth Springs; Kerri Reed of Wynne; Jeremy Reynolds of Calico Rock; Andrew Rogers of Alma; Autumn Rouse of Benton; Jacob Spence of Morrilton; Haley Wilson and Thea Winston, both of Forrest City; Brady Jackson and Gregory Thompson, of Pine Bluff; and Anton Alexeev, David Chen, Shashan Hu, Josilyn Mitchell, and Colin Zohoori, all of Little Rock.