The Arkansas STEM Coalition hosted Think Tank Jonesboro on the A-State campus Thursday. 

The event brought educators, business leaders and legislators together to discuss the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education for the future of Arkansas. 

Panels of business and education professionals gave presentations, discussing STEM solutions to problems facing their respective fields. Some of the many topics spoken about included: AI in the workplace, the economic impact of having well trained STEM employees and how to better prepare STEM students for success in college and beyond.

During her time on the panel, Hytrol representative Christy Valentine spoke about the changes AI brings to the workplace.

“It’s here. It’s happening. There is no reason to try to fight it, so let’s embrace it and find out how to make it work for us,” Valentine said.

Also in attendance was Arkansas Senator Dan Sullivan, who spoke with panelists about the ongoing crop burning problems in Arkansas.

“Burning rice fields is huge right now,” Sullivan said. “There are lots of answers in multiple states, but we’re going to need a new solution. It’s going to take someone in STEM to come up with that.” 

In 2021, Arkansas ranked 46 in the nation in terms of employment in STEM related fields. The goal of The Arkansas STEM Coalition is to ensure that students in Arkansas are provided with quality education to meet the demands of a changing workforce. 

Cody Slater, vice president of programs for the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, said a better equipped workforce benefits the community as a whole. 

“STEM education not only fosters critical thinking and problem solving abilities, but also cultivates creativity and innovation which is essential in driving us forward,” Slater said.

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