Think Tank Meetings

Each year, The Arkansas STEM Coalition hosts STEM Think Tanks throughout the state with the theme of connecting schools, businesses, and communities.

Each STEM Think Tank features presentations and panel discussions designed to connect participants and to further the larger purpose of preparing a well-equipped STEM workforce for high-demand, high-wage jobs across Arkansas. Businesses, educators, and community members will all benefit from these events that are jam-packed with information and networking.

2026 Think Tanks are planned for Camden (September 23, 2026) and West Memphis (date TBA).

CLICK HERE to learn about sponsorship options for Think Tank Meetings!

STEM Think Tank Northwest Arkansas Agenda:

(all Think Tanks follow a similar agenda)

8:30 Check in, coffee and pastries, visit exhibitors
9:00 Welcome to STEM Think Tank Northwest Arkansas
- Hannah Vogler, Executive Director, The Arkansas STEM Coalition
- Senate Minority Leader Greg Leding (D-30), Arkansas State Senate
- Representative Denise Garner (D-20), Arkansas House of Representatives
9:05 The View from Higher Ed: Preparing Students for STEM Careers
- Moderator: Tina Moore, Ed.D., Director of Workforce Development, Arkansas Division of Higher Education
- Evetta Aldridge, M.A., Dean of Workforce Development, Business and Professional Solutions, NorthWest Arkansas Community College
- Ethel Goodstein-Murphree, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas
- Christopher Smith, Ed.D, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
- Silke Spiesshoefer, Ph.D., MBA, Clinical Assistant Professor and ELEG Distance Program Director, College of Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, University of Arkansas
10:00 Networking & Visit Exhibitors
10:15 Arkansas STRIVE: Educators and Business Working Together
- Mary French, RISE Center Coordinator, Assistant Director, STRIVE, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Moriah Santiago, Champions Science Teacher, J.O. Kelly Middle School, Springdale Public Schools
10:40 K-12 STEM Partnerships: Good for Schools and Industry
- Moderator: Lesley Merritt, Director of Science, Fayetteville Public Schools
- Fayetteville Public Library: Melissa Taylor, Manager, J.B, and Johnelle Hunt Family Center for Innovation
- Learning Blade-Career Blade-Ready for Industry: James Wilson, Career Development Teacher, Lincoln Junior High School, Bentonville Schools
- Scott Family Amazeum: Sarah Wiley, Professional Learning Initiative Manager, Scott Family Amazeum
- University of Arkansas: Shawn E. Bell, Director, Center for Mathematics and Science Education/Arkansas NASA Educator Resource Center
11:35 Lunch & Presentation: Arkansas Center for Data Sciences: Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning Programs
- William R. Yoder, Executive Director, Arkansas Center for Data Sciences
- Lonnie Emard, Director of Apprenticeship, Arkansas Center for Data Sciences
12:20 EAST Initiative Student STEM Demonstrations (Sonora Elementary, Springdale Public Schools)
- Josh Worthy, EAST Facilitator, Sonora Elementary
- Pablo Aguilar-Hernandez, EAST Student, Sonora Elementary
- Luis Herrera-Lemus, EAST Student, Sonora Elementary
- Abigail Ebey, EAST Student, Sonora Elementary
- Taylor Cole, EAST Student, Sonora Elementary
12:45 Networking & Visit Exhibitors
1:00 STEM Business Partner Perspective: STEM Skills Employers Really Want!
- Moderator: Kris Adams, Northwest Arkansas Tech Summit Director, Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce
- Korenda Allen, PHR, Director of Human Resources, Beaver Water District
- Brad Hammond, Vice President, Olsson, Inc.
- Carrie Reardan, Senior Director of Innovation and Automation, Walmart
- Chris Wright, Executive Vice President of Operations Support, Nabholz Construction
1:55 Reflections and Closing Remarks
2:00 (Optional) Tours of the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Center for Innovation: flight simulator, video production studio, fabrication and robotics lab, photography studio, and more!

think tank nwa center for innovation tour

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Sponsorship Options & Benefits

Ready to sponsor a Think Tank? CLICK to sign up!

CLICK to download the 2026 Think Tank Sponsorship Options & Benefits

Giving Level	Webpage	E-Newsletter	Invitations & Signage	Table at Event	Registration	Program Participation	Thank You Letter / Sticker
Friend $250	Name	Name	None	None	1 registration	Verbal recognition	Sticker
Bronze Sponsor $500	Name	Name	Name on sponsor signage and sponsor recognition slide	Yes	2 registrations (may split)	Panel participation + verbal recognition	Sticker
Silver Sponsor $1,000	Name and Link	Name and Link	Name on sponsor signage and sponsor recognition slide	Yes	4 registrations (may split)	Individual presentation + panel presentation or panel moderator + verbal recognition	Framed Letter
Gold Sponsor $2,500	Small Logo and Link	Small Logo and Link	Small Logo on sponsor signage and sponsor recognition slide + Small Logo and Link on all registration e-invitations	Priority Placement	10 registrations (may split)	Second choice of opportunity to speak or present (Opening Session, Lunch Keynote, or Individual Presentation) + panel participation + panel moderator + verbal recognition	Framed Letter
Platinum Sponsor $5,000	Medium Logo and Link	Medium Logo and Link	Medium Logo on sponsor signage and sponsor recognition slide + largest logo and link on all registration e-invitations	Priority Placement	15 registrations (may split)	First choice of opportunity to speak or present (Opening Session, Lunch Keynote, or Individual Presentation) + panel participation + panel moderator + verbal recognition	Plaque

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Check out other Arkansas STEM Coalition sponsorship opportunities!

Think Tank Meetings

STEM Think Tank Northwest Arkansas Agenda:

Sponsorship Options & Benefits

Arkansas STEM Coalition

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