On April 8, Garver will be kicking off the Garver Chain Reaction Challenge at the Arkansas Capitol.
The Garver Chain Reaction Challenge is an initiative designed to “inspire young learners to pursue future careers in engineering.” During the challenge, students will learn STEM concepts and the engineering design processing developing critical thinking skills.
At the Monday event, eight Arkansas middle schools will be participating. These schools include:
- Beebe Middle School
- Bryant Middle School
- Cabot Middle School North
- Dunbar Middle School
- Henderson Middle School
- North Little Rock Middle School
- Robinson Middle School
- Russellville Middle School
Students will be tasked with building “Rube Goldberg-style” devices during the challenge. Garver has already distributed STEM kits to these schools for the students to practice with.
In fact, Garver has given STEM kits and monetary donations to 100 schools in its 11-state area of operations as part of its 100thyear anniversary. So far, 43 schools in Arkansas have received donations.
“When we think of STEM, we often envision high-tech applications. But with the Chain Reaction Challenge, we’re intentionally asking students to use very low-tech items to engineer simple machines that work together,” said Garver CEO Dan Williams. “The exercise teaches physics principles like kinetic energy, gravity and force, while also promoting creativity and problem-solving skills.”
The event will be held Monday, April 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the 2ndFloor Rotunda at the State Capitol. Gov. Asa Hutchinson will speak before the event.
The public is invited to attend.
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