Rural Road Beginnings to STEM Careers
The Aspirnaut program focuses on expanding the mathematical and scientific knowledge of rural community students and is currently serving students in Arkansas, Maine, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The program has formed partnerships with 10 school districts in Arkansas and 5 districts in Maine. Upon grant and foundation funding, we will expand our 6 current sites to 20 sites.
Hector, Arkansas - Online Bus with Media Screens
Hector School District Karen Cushman, Superintendent
Poyen, Arkansas -3rd -5th and 6th-8th Videoconferencing
Poyen School District Jerry Newton, Superintendent
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas - 5th grade Videoconferencing
Kipp Delta Collegiate Scott Shirey, School Director
Omaha, Arkansas - Students in Online Courses
Lenoir, North Carolina - Student in Online Courses
Otis, Maine
- 6th thru 8th grade Videoconferencing
Beech Hill Elementary School Cathy Lewis, Principal
Dedham, Maine
- 7th grade Videoconferencing
Dedham School District Daniel M. Lee, Superintendent
Factoid: Did you know?
In April 2009, Act 827 was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly to allow school districts to allocate funds for the Mobile Learning Technology Pilot Program. This three year pilot program that begins in 2010 is a three-year program that provides mobile learning technology for up to twenty-five public school districts essential for the Aspirnaut program. Julie Hudson along with Aspirnaut students visited Capitol Hill and were influential in getting this bill passed.
Aspirnaut student quotes:
“You can do work on the bus.”
“You get to experiment.”
“One thing I like about Aspirnaut is that it can help me get prepared for college.”
“We learn something different every day.”
"Participating in the Summer Research Internship quickly became a once in a lifetime experience for me. Not only was I able to experience cutting-edge science at the highest level, I was able to form friendships that will last a lifetime. On top of all that, the Aspirnaut program's unique perspective on STEM education allowed me to hit the ground running in research rather than watch from the sidelines."