UA Little Rock Nerd Night Offers STEM Demos and Experiments for All
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is inviting the community for STEM-related hands-on activities, demonstrations, and exhibits during the annual Nerd Night Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Food trucks and raffle prizes will also be part of the festivities, from 5-8 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DCSTEM).
“It’s a way to build community (among) students and their families, prospective students, and the Little Rock community,” said Erin Flowers, director of student services. “The exhibits make it amazing — more than half of them are from student organizations, which is really cool — and it’s a fun time for us all to be together.”
Current and prospective DCSTEM students can learn about opportunities in the college including research opportunities, leadership programs, honor societies, career pathways, and student organizations.
Much of the activity will be centered in the Engineering & Information Technology (EIT) building, on floors one and four, including a Trojan Forge Makerspace activity, Cybersecurity Club activities, virtual and augmented reality, and mobile and industrial robots, among other highlights. However, the Engineering Technology & Applied Science (ETAS) building, Stabler Hall, and Trojan Way will also offer opportunities, with check-in and the food trucks located in the parking lot between EIT and the Reynolds business building.
ETAS will have a gaming lounge with Esports, while Stabler Hall will have Pico Balloon launches at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m., as well as stargazing. Trojan Way will host a crop demonstration, “disappearing ghosts,” and — new this year — pet rock adoptions.
“It should be clear Wednesday for stargazing,” and a live feed will also be available in the EIT building illustrating the visual splendor from the observatory, Flowers said. In addition, the pop-up planetarium will return this year, in the EIT building, thanks to the Aerospace Club, and “that’s very popular.”
Experiments and activities from the American Chemistry Society student group, as well as the university’s George W. Donaghey Emerging Analytics Center (EAC) and Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center, always draw plenty of attention, too, added Flowers. “Get here early, and make a plan, because there is a lot to do, and time flies by quickly.”
Attendees should also arrive earlier rather than later to secure tickets for the food trucks, which can’t be procured in advance and are first-come, first-served. Dining options will include barbecue, tacos, and loaded potatoes, as well as vegetarian and vegan items, plus desserts.
More information, as well as the registration form, is available online.
“We had more than 700 people last year, and we already have more than 600 signed up this year, which is ahead of” last year’s pace, Flowers said Monday. “This event just continues to grow every year.”