The Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase for entrepreneurs grades 5-8 opens the window for submission of business plans.  This period ends Nov. 17.  For more information about this great program that helps youth learn entrepreneurship click here. 

Each year the Academy has a public event to introduce new members and present important topics in computing in Arkansas.  This year's event occurs in the EIT Building on the UA Little Rock campus at 9am on Oct. 28th. The program will open with an introduction of the 2017 inductees accompanied by a few words from Governor Asa Hutchinson. There will be presentations on a variety of the many computing activities in Arkansas, including a report from the programs at UA Little Rock and UA Fayetteville campuses at Fayetteville,  a short history of Arkansas computing, a look into the Central Arkansas tech scene by the organizer's of LR Tech Fest and others,  new developments in K-12 education, and an update on computing research. For free registration click here.

Academy Inductees have strong connections with Arkansas,  significant career contributions over a period of at least 20 years, and service to the community. This years inductees and the main focus of their careers are, in alphabetical order:

Brent Birch              E-commerce

Chris Cline               Financial Technology 

Justin Farnsworth       Aerospace-Defense

Doug Goodwin        Financial Technology

Andy Mayes              Educational Technology

Raye Jean Montague Aerospace-Defense

Elizabeth Pierce        Information Quality

For more information about the Academy see:  http://araoc.org/

Each year the Arkansas Academy of Computing inducts new members with long distinguished careers in computing and a strong link to Arkansas.  The Banquet is by invitation but the Saturday follow-on, "Arkansas Computes" is public.  More information on the 2017 Inductees will follow.

Join us at the President Clinton Center for our 2nd Annual Environmental Summit! 

The Environmental Summit will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear from leading experts on the current state of environmental issues. Attendees will learn how recent policy changes will affect our environment, our economy, the lives of Arkansans and what actions they can take to protect and improve our environment.

For the agenda and registration information,  click here.

NWA Venture MashUp is a bi-monthly event that brings everyone from our entrepreneurial community together for local beer, networking, and an opportunity to learn from one of the fantastic companies started here in Northwest Arkansas. This time we have the chance to learn from Elise Mitchell, who started Mitchell Communications and grew it to an international Public Relations firm.  Click here for more information and to register. 

Want free access to the Maker Space? Join us for our Maker Training Workshop! In the workshop, you will meet the Maker Ambassadors, tour the space, learn the rules and regulations of the space and learn how to safely use the equipment. Spaces are limited in the Maker Trainings. RSVP to reserve your spot.

550 Bain St
Springdale, AR 72764

Various vendors will be set up to discuss processes in their manufacturing environment. 

Click here for more information.

Alese Stroud, CEO of Corporate Insight Strategy, will speak at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce on Technology and Culture,  a great Techtober topic! 

Are you struggling to fit technology into your corporate culture? Join us for this special training session featuring Alese Stroud, founder and CEO of Corporate Insight Strategy. Coffee and breakfast will be included. 

Click this link for more information and to register. 

Topic to be announced.  Meets at Historic Arkansas Museum.  Check here for information. 

Invitation only,  but wonderful! The Delta I-Fund is an entrepreneurship program and proof of concept fund,  which runs through Techtober!  Teams take on ideas for scaleable businesses,  often research based, and do intense customer discovery to build their plans.  Teams may receive funding in three stages, 5, 20 and 25 thousand dollars as they convince the Delta I-Fund Investment Committee of the value of their progress.  The proof of concept money converts to an investment in a real company if the team reaches a go decision.  Last year's teams included the three top ranked competitors in the Governor's Cup Business Plan Competition graduate division and these teams are now working on their next rounds of funding through angel investment and/or SBIR/STTR grants..

The 2017 Arkansas Science Festival culminates with its largest event--Science Expo--a celebration of science, technology, engineering and math at the A-State Student Activity Center on Saturday, October 21 from 10 am to 2 pm. The Science Expo is the Festival’s largest event, with local businesses, corporations, organizations, and clubs providing interactive, hands-on exhibits and activities to science lovers of all ages. Students, families, passersby are all invited to celebrate with us at the Arkansas Science Festival.

Arkansas State University Student Activity Center 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. FREE

RSVP BY 8:00 P.M. ON MONDAY OCT. 16 TO ATTEND THIS PUMPKIN CARVING WORKSHOP.

With the month of October comes the turning of leaves and saying goodbye to the hot Arkansas summer. The fall season is one of our favorites [Of course, It's TECHTOBER] here at the Makerspace, and we want to celebrate with you and the whole family! On Saturday October 21st, the Makerspace will be hosting Reimagined: Pumpkin Carving.

From 9:30-11:30 a.m. we will have our state-of-art wood cutters to help make your pumpkin the best looking one in the neighborhood. In addition to the wood-cutters, there will be paint and other arts and crafts available to bring out your creative side. Kids ages 4 and above are welcome, and you do not have to go to a Maker Training to attend.

A Ted-talk like setting for a presentation on how South Arkansas University partnered with CAE USA to give SAU students experience bringing 3D design and virtual reality into real business environments.  

Click here for more information about the Arkansas Innovation Hub and it's other programs.

Click here for information about SAU's programs. 

Click here and here for information about CAE USA.  

More at https://campscui.active.com/orgs/ARHub#/selectSessions/1923602

Crazy Science will include hands-on activities that will “wow” participants; extracting iron from Life cereal using a magnet; Steve Spangler’s, “Newton’s Bottle,” etcetera. Our goal is for every Crazy Science visitor to walk away with fun scientific facts and the interest to learn more.

ASU Museum from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. FREE

Arkansas resident Kevin Delaney is known for his love of science, and his ability to make it fun for all. He developed his unique brand of “awesome science” at the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, AR, where he worked from late 2011 until mid-2017. At the museum he performed demonstrations for visitors of all ages and helped to develop the popular Science After Dark program for adults. Kevin’s talent for science communication landed him a recurring role on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” as the resident science presenter, performing demonstrations with Jimmy and celebrity guests as lab assistants. The results have always delivered large-scale eruptions, explosions, and more. Delaney took his love of... science to cable TV, where he had his own TV show called “Street Science” on the Science Channel. Prior to joining the museum staff, Delaney worked as a playwright, performer, and educator. Developing and presenting educational programs at a zoo, and working with the staff and animals there, sparked a professional interest in combining his storytelling skills with his scientific curiosity.

“Our mission is to help folks get excited about science, technology, engineering and math in a really unique and dynamic environment,” Delaney said. “And with ‘Street Science,’ we took that environment and kind of spilled it out everywhere.”

Shows are at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm. Tickets range from $6-$10. Contact the A-State Central Box Office at 870-972-2781.

Hosted by Dr. Irina Khramtsova, this workshop will teach you how to relax and tame your busy mind by keeping it the “here and now” through connecting to your body. During the first hour we will alternate explanations and discussions with short easy exercises, for example, counting your breath or tensing/relaxing muscles. The exercises will be conducted as you sit in a chair. Comfortable clothing is recommended. If you desire to increase the awareness of your breathing with the help of a biofeedback device and you can stay after the first hour, we will instruct you in the use of Inner Balance by HeartMath Institute.

Arkansas State University’s Student Union, Pine Tree Room at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. FREE but pre-registration is recommended. Contact ikhramtsova@astate.edu

This is informational  only, but it is a big deal for Tech and Virtual Reality in Arkansas!

TechStart, a Facebook education initiative in collaboration with high schools, helps underrepresented students explore computer science through technology.

TechStart has been supporting schools in Arkansas since January 2017. Recently, Governor Hutchinson announced the further expansion of the TechStart partnership to serve all 9th to 12th graders.  This fall, TechStart is partnering with FIVE Arkansas universities, Code Interactive, and the Arkansas Department of Education to invite you and 10 of your students to one of the following 5 events in the fall.

Registration URL: https://www.meetup.com/preview/Little-Rock-Java-Meetup

Fee: $0

About / Description: This user group is meant for local developers, architects, and designers focused on Java SE, Java EE, and Java ME technologies, and all things within and connected to the world of Java. This is a great opportunity for professionals in the area to network and discuss code, architecture, and new innovations to apply to your own projects! No dues required and refreshments are provided. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm at The Arkansas Venture Center in the Mary Good room, The Venture Center is at 417 Main St., Little Rock, AR 72201. Beginners and pros are both welcome.

Twitter Handle: LRJavaUserGroup

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LRJavaUserGroup/

"In this workshop, teachers start to learn the basic of electronics and block-based computer science and use their new knowledge to make robots. They will learn how to use the Arduino Hummingbird circuit board. The robots will be made out of recycled material such as cardboard boxes, popsicle sticks, newspaper, decoration material, etc. An example of a robot that a participant could expect to be able to create is an owl that flaps its wings when a human gets close to it. No prior knowledge of computer science, electronics, or robotics is required."

Signup information is not yet available.  The following link is to a similar program in Camden in January.  

2017 Theme – Connected Devices, Connected World

Location – John Q. Hammons Convention Center, Rogers, Arkansas

The Northwest Arkansas Technology Summit brings together small businesses, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, retail and suppliers, technology, academia and communication and social media professionals to celebrate technology, innovation and the power of digital in shaping our future. Forward-thinking and practitioner-driven general session speakers and high value breakout sessions deliver ways to effectively collaborate on innovative solutions to common business challenges and learn how technology is powering change and leveling the playing field.

For more information click here.

John Q. Hammons Convention Center Rogers, AR

Network with business leaders, entrepreneurs and educators at a conference devoted to building your business skills and knowledge. Training sessions focus on business basics: professional development, how to improve your business, HR 101, marketing, accounting and others. Choose from three tracks and 12 sessions. Earn Certificates of Completion and Continuing Education credits, provided from the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

For added information and registration click here. 

Womenin Technology Conference - October 16, 2017

Participants will hear from a variety of dynamic speakers and engage in meaningful discussion on thought leadership, innovation, opportunities and challenges surrounding women in today’s technology workforce. Includes breakfast, lunch, panel discussion, keynote speaker and breakout sessions.  For more information click here.