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EAST Initiative at CAST

 

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The EAST Initiative is an educational initiative built around student-centered project-based learning, in which students use cutting-edge technology while developing community service projects.  CAST is pleased to have been the very first education partner of EAST.

The EAST model originated at Greenbrier High School (Greenbrier, Arkansas) in 1996, and is now under the governance of a charitable non-profit based in Little Rock, Arkansas. As of the '09-'10 school year, EAST is found in more than 220 schools in eight states, with some 17,000 students, ranging from second grade to community college, participating. Students in EAST classes have access to a wide variety of the latest technology, including GIS and GPS, digital video production, CAD, computer animation/rendering, web development, and much more.Students use GPS in EAST

 In addition CAST supports and manages the North West Arkansas EAST Training Center <http://web.cast.uark.edu/home/about/facilities/east-lab.html> in the JB Hunt Center at the University of Arkansas as well as the UA EAST Alumni Center <http://web.cast.uark.edu/home/about/facilities/ua-east-alumni-center.html>, also in the JB Hunt Center.

CAST’s involvement with the EAST Initiative is primarily focused around geospatial and visualization technologies, which are applicable to a broad spectrum of student community service projects. CAST research staff collaborate with EAST’s administration to provide a wide variety of training and support services to EAST students and teachers. These include:

* 2- and 3-day technology workshops for students

* full-day visits to EAST schools

* student and teacher support through the EAST web forum, e-mail, and telephone

* extensive web resources available here. 

* technology introductions for EAST teachers

* break-out sessions, presentations, demos, and support at the annual EAST Partnership Conference

In addition CAST supports and manages the Northwest Arkansas EAST Training Center in the JB Hunt Center at the University of Arkansas as well as the UA EAST Alumni Center, also in the JB Hunt Center.