LETS: Prepare for the Future
With funding provided by a grant from Arkansas National Science Foundation EPSCoR, teachers will learn how to integrate emerging technology into their classrooms, inspire the next generation of leaders, and prepare tomorrow’s workforce to thrive in the new economy. There is no fee to attend and each registered teacher will receive free technology!
Professional development workshops & free technology
LETS: Prepare for the Future is a set of workshops led and facilitated by EAST in partnership with NSF EPSCoR whose mission is to strengthen research and education in the area of Science and Engineering in Arkansas. Workshops begin June 7th and are available to any teacher in Arkansas. Each registered teacher receives a free 3D Printer or Pi-Top! Registrations are limited to one session per teacher.
Virtual Reality Training
Ineligible if you have attended any other LETS training sessions. Register through the education coop.
October 12th, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Walnut Ridge, AR
October 19th, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Monticello, AR Full
October 26th, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Farmington, AR Full
3D Printing Training Session Full
You must attend all 3 sessions
June 9, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
June 16, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
June 23, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Pi-Top Training
You must attend all 3 sessions
June 8, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
June 14, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
June 21, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Virtual Reality Training Sessions
Virtual Reality in the Classroom
Each registered teacher will receive a free Oculus Quest 2! Explore how to integrate virtual reality and augmented reality into the classroom. In this hands-on class, you will explore how to get started with VR/AR in the classroom using Unity and a VR headset. Computers with the necessary software installed will be provided during the training session.
Session Dates and Locations: Register through the education coop.
October 12, 2022, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative - Walnut Ridge, AR
October 19, 2022, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative - Monticello, AR
October 26, 2022, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative - Farmington, AR
3D Printing Training Sessions
The Essentials of 3D Printing
June 9, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Set up your 3D printer and create your first print!
Each registered teacher will receive a free 3D printer! We will go through the process of 3D printing, running your printer, and maintaining it over time. We will cover how to find educational models that already exist, tips on helping your students create 3D models for their projects, walk you through how to 3D print models, and review tons of free programs and resources to get you started.
In this hands-on class, you will be 3D printing on your new machine! You will need an internet enabled device to design and find models on. Any computer, Chromebook, or tablet will work. No external software will be required.
Location: In-Person
EAST Initiative
6215 Ranch Dr
Little Rock, AR 72223
How to Troubleshoot with Your 3D Printer
June 16, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 3D printing check in #1!
Now that you have 3D printed some things, let's talk troubleshooting! This session will include a short presentation on running and maintaining your printer over time. We will also have a Q and A portion for you to get help or advice on anything related to your printer or 3D printing.
Location: Virtual
Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
How to Use Your 3D Printer in the Classroom
June 23, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: 3D printing check in #2!
Let's talk projects! This session will include a short presentation on how to help students brainstorm 3D printing projects, as well as how to create 3D printing lessons. We will also have a Q and A portion for you to get help or advice on anything related to your printer or 3D printing.
Location: Virtual
Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
Pi-Top Training Sessions
The Essentials of pi-top:
June 8, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Each registered teacher will receive a free pi-top! Learn from pi-top trainer Eli Phillips how to design and code with pi-top. You'll learn the essentials of pi-top. We'll navigate pi-top's social learning platform, with dozens of class projects, cheat sheets, training videos, and teacher support materials.
Location: In-Person
EAST Initiative
6215 Ranch Dr
Little Rock, AR 72223
pi-top Roundtable 1:
June 14, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Now that you know the essentials to pi-top, join Eli Phillips from pi-top to answer all your burning questions.
Location: Virtual
Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
pi-top Roundtable 2:
July 21, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Still have questions about pi-top, applications, class projects, or troubleshooting? Join pi-top training Eli Phillips for a Q & A session.
Location: Virtual
Zoom link will be sent to registered participants.
Meet your Virtual Reality Trainer
Zackary Spink is a Statewide Computer Science Specialist in Arkansas housed at Northeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative. Initially, he taught high school science and computer science in Northeast Arkansas. While teaching he taught himself video compositing, 2D/3D animation, 3D modeling, game development, and programming using various software, including Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, and Unity. In his current position, as a Statewide Computer Science Specialist, he travels throughout the State training and assisting educators and students in all things computer science. The training topics range from incorporating computer science in the classroom to creating virtual reality worlds in the Unity software for the Oculus or creating wearable electronics. I also get to explore new hardware and software related to computer science.
Meet your 3D Printing Trainer
Drew Wallis grew up in Arkansas and Pennsylvania, graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2010 with a Double Major in Communication and International Relations. He then became a licensed teacher and taught in the classroom for four years. Drew co-founded NWA3D, an educational 3D printing company that sold 3D printers to schools from 2015-2020. Having previously worked with Maker Made to develop a 3D printer, he became Maker Made’s 3D Printing Guru in the Fall of 2020. In addition to emerging technology and education, Drew has a passion for D&D, drumming, and biking. He currently lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas with his cat Spaghetti and calls the Hogs on a semi-frequent basis.
Meet your Pi-Top Trainer
Eli Phillips studied art, writing, and theater at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. He began developing educational content ten years ago through an arts enrichment program, before moving to Austin. Through programs with local museums and maker spaces, he has designed and taught classes for kids and adults covering topics like 3D modeling and printing, vector design, laser cutting, physical computing, coding, basic electronics, and more. When he isn’t making or teaching, he’s walking a German shepherd named Dr. Bert or eating more pizza than you’d imagine he could.
