From national mathematics rankings to international science fair awards and advancement to the National Science Bowl庐 Finals, Arkansas students continue to demonstrate excellence in STEM education.

Arkansas Team Wins Two Awards at MATHCOUNTS Nationals

Arkansas students delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition, where the state team placed 14th overall in the nation while competing against top teams from across the United States and U.S. territories. This team was also named Most Improved Overall nationally.

The Arkansas team included:

• Ryan Fan, Woodland Junior High School
• Vivek Kalyankar, Woodland Junior High School
• Evan Ning, Woodland Junior High School
• Charlie Yao, non-school competitor from Conway, Arkansas

The team was coached by Nat Thomas Jr. of Woodland Junior High School.

Two Arkansas students also earned standout individual rankings at the national competition:

• Ryan Fan finished 15th overall
• Vivek Kalyankar finished 27th overall

Both students are currently in the eighth grade.

The RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition brings together top middle school mathematics students from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Department of Defense and State Department schools worldwide.

Central Arkansas Students Earn Awards at International Science and Engineering Fair

The University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo also celebrates the accomplishments of Central Arkansas students who competed at this year鈥檚 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Central Arkansas was represented by six student competitors, who collectively earned:

• Two category awards
• One specialty award

ISEF is one of the world鈥檚 largest international STEM research competitions for high school students, bringing together young scientists and engineers from around the globe to present innovative research projects and compete at the highest level.

The success of these students reflects not only their hard work and curiosity but also the dedication of the teachers, mentors, and families who supported them throughout the process.

Fayetteville High School Advances to National Science Bowl庐 Finals

Fayetteville High School earned another major STEM achievement for Arkansas by winning the 2026 National Science Bowl庐 regional competition and securing a place in the National Finals in Washington, D.C.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl庐 challenges students in a fast-paced academic competition covering:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Earth science
• Energy
• Mathematics

The Fayetteville team will compete against top teams from across the country during the National Finals this spring.

Now in its 36th year, the National Science Bowl庐 has engaged approximately 350,000 students nationwide and continues to encourage students to pursue careers and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Celebrating STEM Excellence Across Arkansas

These achievements highlight the strength of STEM education across Arkansas and the potential of students statewide. The University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo is proud to celebrate their success, along with the educators, mentors, schools, and families who support them.

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The ceremony recognizes students completing degrees in Construction Management or Civil and Construction Engineering while celebrating the teamwork, dedication, and achievement required to reach graduation.

What Is a Topping Out Ceremony?

This longstanding tradition traces back to Scandinavian building practices and the Norse custom of placing a final beam 鈥� often accompanied by an evergreen tree 鈥� atop a completed structure. The evergreen symbolized life, growth, continuity, and protection, while builders gathered to celebrate a safe and successful project.

A Tradition Rooted in Construction History

Over time, the practice became part of American construction culture, particularly among ironworkers and builders. Modern topping-out ceremonies often include signing or painting the final beam before it is lifted into place, commemorating both the structure itself and the collective effort behind it.

Celebrating the Spring 2026 Graduates

The Spring 2026 ceremony featured remarks and participation from faculty and program leaders, including guest speaker James Michael 鈥淢ike鈥� Tramel, Professor and Founding Past Chair; Hollis 鈥淗ank鈥� Bray, Program Coordinator for Construction Management and current chair; and Anne Turner, Program Coordinator for Civil & Construction Engineering.

As graduates prepare to enter the workforce, the ceremony serves as both a celebration of their accomplishments and a reminder of the strong traditions that continue to shape the construction and engineering professions.

The Next Generation of Builders

Students interested in careers in construction, infrastructure, and engineering can learn more about Construction Management and Civil & Construction Engineering programs at UA 糖心视频logo.

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Merit Badge University gives Scouts the chance to work on advancement in a structured setting, often completing up to two badges in a single day. The sessions led by volunteers and subject-matter experts were designed to be practical and provide hands-on experience.

This year, more than 40 merit badges were offered in topics ranging from First Aid and Citizenship to Chemistry and Robotics. Scouts spent the day in classrooms and labs across campus, building skills, asking questions, and making progress on their Scouting journey.

UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 STEM Outreach team helped support the event, continuing its work to connect young people with educational opportunities and real-world learning experiences.

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During their recent visit, NSBE student leaders introduced high school students to the diverse range of opportunities and programs available in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at UA 糖心视频logo. Through real conversations about career pathways, earning potential, and personal experiences, they helped students begin to see what a future in STEM could look like for them.

Making STEM Careers Possible

For many students, exposure is everything. In communities that have been historically underrepresented in STEM fields, outreach efforts like this play a critical role in turning possibilities into reality. By sharing their stories and creating space for curiosity, NSBE members are helping students envision themselves as future engineers, developers, and innovators.

Beyond inspiration, the NSBE members also serve as mentors, connecting the students with real resources, practical tools, and guidance.

One of the most impactful moments of the workshop happened when students were introduced to artificial intelligence tools and guided through building their own personal portfolio websites. The students were able to create something tangible that can showcase their ideas, skills, and potential.

A Metropolitan University with Real Opportunity

Outreach efforts like this also highlight the high-quality STEM education available right here in 糖心视频logo. We offer a unique combination of accessibility, affordability, and real-world opportunity.

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Competing against top programs from across the region鈥攊ncluding Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Memphis鈥擴A 糖心视频logo students earned multiple awards across several major competitions.

Strong Finishes Across Competitions

The team earned 2nd place overall in the Concrete Canoe competition, marking their third consecutive year with a podium finish.

A cornerstone of civil engineering student competitions since the 1970s, the Concrete Canoe competition challenges teams to design, construct, and race a functional canoe made entirely of concrete. Beyond engineering skill, the event emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and technical design.

This year鈥檚 competition also included a proposal component, where teams developed and presented designs for a prototype standardized canoe, adding an extra layer of strategy and real-world application.

They also placed 3rd overall in the Student Symposium Paper Competition and 3rd in the t-shirt design competition.

A Milestone Return to Steel Bridge

In addition, the team received the Aesthetics Award in the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition, a notable achievement as it marked UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 first time competing in the event in over a decade.

These accomplishments highlight the strength, creativity, and dedication of UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 civil engineering students as they continue to compete at a high level against some of the nation鈥檚 largest universities.

Want to get involved?

Learn more about the and connect with UA 糖心视频logo’s chapter on or follow them on .

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Branded this year as Attack on Central: Vengeance, the event marked a milestone for the series. While it has become a staple of the state鈥檚 competitive Smash community, this was the first time the tournament was hosted by UA 糖心视频logo.

The tournament took place on March 28 on campus and drew players from across Arkansas and beyond. Schools in attendance included Arkansas Tech, UA Fort Smith, the University of Arkansas, and Hendrix College, along with competitors traveling in from Memphis and Mississippi. The event created a strong regional mix and gave players the chance to compete against new opponents outside their usual campus scenes.

A total of 70 entrants competed in Super Smash Bros. What began as a smaller community tournament has grown into a go-to regional for collegiate Smash players seeking high-level competition.

With UA 糖心视频logo stepping in as host for the first time, and Hendrix providing additional support, Attack on Central continues to highlight the growth of Arkansas鈥檚 Smash community. Events like this are helping connect schools, build rivalries, and create more opportunities for students to compete close to home.

Interested in joining the fun?

Stay updated on UA 糖心视频logo Esports events in .

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Hosted in the Engineering and Information Technology (EIT) Building, the event brought together campus partners and student organizations to introduce scouts to different areas of STEM through interactive sessions.

Scouts rotated through these three activities:

• To Infinity & Beyond! 鈥� Hosted by the UA 糖心视频logo Aerospace Club, scouts explored space science and visited the campus planetarium.
• Pico Ballooning: Tracking the Skies 鈥� Bruce Bauer introduced students to high-altitude ballooning and how scientists track balloons across the atmosphere.
• Spacecraft Design Challenge 鈥� Hosted by UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 ASME student chapter, scouts worked together to design their own spacecraft concepts.

Mini Space Day provided scouts with an opportunity to experience STEM in action while meeting students and faculty who are exploring the frontiers of science and engineering at UA 糖心视频logo.

See the Scouts in Action

Special thanks to our partners and volunteers!

This event was made possible through a partnership with the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and the efforts of the DCSTEM STEM Outreach team, along with support from UA 糖心视频logo student organizations.

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