EAST Initiative Training & Support
The EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) Initiative is a project-based, service-learning oriented program that provides students with high-end technology available in the most progressive fields in the world. EAST is a coordinated effort to provide today’s students with an educational atmosphere that allows them to gain insight into their own abilities to acquire and use information, solve problems and develop valuable experience. Since its inception in 1996, the EAST model has expanded to over 200 schools in five states (Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania).
The very first of the EAST program’s educational partners, CAST provides a wide variety of training and support services to students and facilitators. CAST staff members with expertise in geospatial and visualization technologies host multi-day workshops, introductions to technologies, and make full-day visits to schools participating in the EAST program. They also provide hands-on trainings that not only instruct students on how to use geospatial technology, but also encourage them to apply what they learn to their own interests and problems they can solve within their own communities.
Geospatial and Visualization Technology Support
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. Our research staff collaborate with EAST’s administration to provide a wide variety of training and support services to EAST students and teachers. These include:
- multi-day technology workshops for students
- full-day visits to EAST schools
- student and teacher support through the EAST web forum, e-mail, and telephone
- technology introductions for EAST teachers
- break-out sessions, presentations, demos, and support at the annual EAST Conference
EAST Fayetteville Training Center
As part of its partnership with the EAST Initiative, CAST supports and manages the EAST Initiative's Fayetteville Training Center, located on the 2nd floor of the J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Center for Academic Excellence (JBHT) building on the University of Arkansas campus.
The EAST suite (JBHT 263, 264 and 265) houses a training facility, conference room and the EAST Alumni lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EAST Fayetteville Training Center is located in the J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Center for Academic Excellence (JBHT) building on the University of Arkansas campus.
The EAST suite (JBHT 263, 264 and 265) houses a training facility, conference room and the EAST Alumni lounge.
The Training Center opens at 8:00 AM, but students, chaperones, facilitators and trainers are welcome to arrive as early as they wish. There is ample seating in the 2nd floor atrium area available, as well as vending machines and restrooms.
If earlier access to the space is required for the purposes of loading and unloading equipment, please make arrangements in advance with Malcolm Williamson in advance by calling 479-575-2734 or emailing malcolm@cast.uark.edu
For trainers needing to transport in equipment, a loading zone to the rear of the JBHT building is available for temporary parking. Please make arrangements with Malcolm Williamson in advance by calling 479-575-2734 or emailing malcolm@cast.uark.edu
Please note: The loading zone is a restricted tow-away area, so it is not advisable to leave vehicles unsupervised. Additionally, the interior loading dock is secured by key card access.
Directions to JBHT Loading Zone:
- Head west on Dickson Street toward McIlroy Avenue
- Turn left between the JBHT Building and Kimpel Hall to access the loading zone
Personal Vehicles
Parking is available for personal vehicles in the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage, located across the street from the JBHT building on North Harmon Avenue. The Parking Garage is a pay-to-park facility with controlled entry and exit. Please follow all listed garage instructions when parking.
Parking will be validated at the end of the training day; Parking Garage-issued ticket stubs are required for validation.
Please Note: Leaving campus during training times or for lunch time is discouraged as parking spaces can be difficult to locate upon returning to campus.
Buses
In order to accommodate bus parking, arrangements must be made with the campus Transit and Parking Department a minimum of two weeks in advance. Please make arrangements with Malcolm Williamson in advance by calling 479-575-2734 or emailing malcolm@cast.uark.edu
Buses are restricted to parking in remote campus Lot 56, located off Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Razorback Road, near the Soccer Stadium and Field.
Razorback Transit, the university bus system, has several stops located at the north end of the parking lot. The Route 13 bus runs every 15 minutes beginning at 7:00 AM and can be taken to the stop at the Harmon Avenue Parking Garage, located directly across the street from the JBHT building.
For general inquiries about the EAST Initiative:
eastinfo@eaststaff.org
501-371-5016
eastinitiative.org
For more information about EAST Support at CAST:
Malcolm Williamson
malcolm@cast.uark.edu
479-575-2734