Arkansas Regional INNOVATION Hub | The IN Place
September 2, 2014
back-school-bus.jpg

Wow! Another school year has begun. It makes us think about all the ways we partner with schools and students to nurture our next generation of INnovators and entrepreneurs. You can read about some of them below!

News IN The Hub
Forum highlights innovation advances 
Leaders in Arkansas's innovation and entrepreneurship movement were joined by some national counterparts last month to talk about, you guessed it, the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Delta Regional Authority co-chair and Arkansas native  Chris Masingill and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams met with key local leaders at the Innovation Hub during the Southern Governors Association meeting in Little Rock.

Williams compared the fervor for innovation in Central Arkansas to the transformation of his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, from steel mill to dynamic innovation hub.  "You could be on the cusp on what happened in downtown Youngstown."

Read more about their discussion at the Arkansas Business website.

NLRSD admins land at Launch Pad

The Launch Pad was honored recently to host a group of principals and other admin-istrators from the North Little Rock School District. The visit INspired the educators in their commitment to new and innovative ways of approaching curriculum.


School administrators had the opportunity to experience new software and meet our amazing CARL robot. We all look forward to the district utilizing The Launch Pad's space and tools as well as expanding its partnership with the Innovation Hub. 

The buzz at the Hub-UB? Drones!
A hot topic nationally, Joel Gordon's presentation on drones at August's Hub-UB proved to be a popular subject among Arkansans, too.

From proposed strict FAA regulations to national park bans, the controversy surrounding drones dominates our awareness of them. This issue was examined, but the presentation focused on the many amazing uses of drones as well. 

Right now, all over the world, drones assist with tasks including weather ob- servation, search and rescue missions and protection of endangered species from poachers.

A lively discussion concluded with comparisons of different types of drones plus a trip outside for a few test flights (and one "test" crash).

As viewed from above

Speaking of drones, one group of Arkansas students has set a sky-high goal for its next project. This year, the Greenbrier High School EAST group is modifying a quadcopter into a 3-D mapping tool.

 

Most recently, the students have combined photography, mapping and specialized software to create autonomous flight paths for their drone. One intended outcome of the project is the creation of 3-D maps for surveying and educational uses.

 

The Launch Pad is happy to be INvolved with these resourceful students. You can follow their progress on the 2014 GHS Drone Project blog.

 

PROGRESS REPORT: Walls are up
We've got walls again! And The Launch Pad is well on its way with wiring for both electrical and tech connections.
 
In addition, a new HVAC system will provide comfortable conditions for our INnovators as they make their great ideas come to life. Construction is on a roll now, and we are looking forward to our finished space!
 
Spoke Spotlight
Here's a story of a happy pairing between two of our "spokes."

Last March, our partner, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, held its board meeting at Art Connection, home of some really cool youth art. Soon after, the Foundation contacted Art Connection director Hollie Lewis. They wanted to commission a piece of art for the Foundation's 40th Anniversary, which is this month.  
 
The program's teens researched the WRF's initiative, Moving the Needle 2.0, and decided to produce a series of four paintings. Each image represents one WRF's initiatives:
  • Increase prosperity
  • Increase educational attainment
  • Strengthen communities
  • Build non-profit infrastructure
The teens divided into four groups, one for each initiative, and began to brainstorm. The final decisions were collaborations of many of the ideas.

 

The mixed-media paintings,

on 2-foot by 4-foot wood panels, were presented to WRF in August.   

 

 

Quick Links
Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
Get IN!
You're INvited!
 
Celebrate the Moon
International Observe the Moon Night will be celebrated from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sept. 6 in Argenta.


 

Join us for this free event at the Farmers Market lot, 6th and Main streets, in downtown North Little Rock. Telescopes will be available for use
 
September Hub-UB
Alex Demskie will discuss the Oculus Rift virtual reality plat-form on Sept. 10! The Hub-UB presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Argenta Branch Library, 420 Main St., in North Little Rock.

CARL Meeting
The Launch Pad will host the inaugural meeting of the Challenge Arkansas Robotics League at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Art Connection.
 
The monthly meetings will include time for networking with other hobbyists as well as a robotics tutorial and a "challenge" task for members to complete.
 
Art Show to Benefit Young Artists
The Argenta Gallery at 413 Main St. will host an exhibit of the art of George Dombek from Sept. 12 - Oct. 2. Sales from the exhibit will benefit the Art Connection.
 

INfo Alert 

In the News
Arkansas schools are taking off with drones! Read about Beebe High School's new year-long drone class on Arkansas Online.

 

Stay IN Touch!
Warwick Sabin
Executive Director
Innovation Hub

 Joel Gordon
Director
The Launch Pad

Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub
info@arhub.org  | www.arhub.org
419 Main Street
North Little Rock, AR 72114

Arkansas Regional INNOVATION Hub | The IN Place

Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.