A group of our EAST students collaborated with local city officials to address the lack of written records for a portion of our community cemetery, which were lost in a fire years ago. Recognizing the importance of preserving this vital historical information, the students set out to map the cemetery using GIS technology. Through a training session, the students gained the necessary skills to set up the mapping project, ensuring that the city will have an accurate, digital record of the cemetery.  Currently, the team is in the process of collecting data for the map and anticipates completing the project soon.

The project introduces a classroom alert system designed to enhance real-time communication during emergencies. Using Arduino and Bluetooth technology, teachers would have access to a desk-mounted button system with three color-coded alerts: green for all clear, yellow for non-urgent concerns, and red for immediate threats. These alerts would transmit signals to a custom-built app, which would display a dynamic school map with live status updates for each classroom. The app would also facilitate direct communication with administrators, law enforcement, and other key personnel. Additionally, a project logo was designed to establish a professional identity for our initiative. To bring this project to life, students developed technical expertise in Arduino programming, app development, and graphic design. This project exemplifies the power of student-driven innovation and collaboration, demonstrating how technical skills can be leveraged to create meaningful community impact. Our ultimate goal is to implement this system not only in our school but other schools as well to foster a safer learning environment for students and educators alike.

In November, our EAST program partnered with American Legion Post 136 to host the tenth annual Veterans Day Program, a cherished tradition in both our community and school. Veterans and local community members eagerly anticipate this event each year, which provides a meaningful opportunity to honor and recognize our hometown heroes.

Students took a leading role in every aspect of the program, from planning and preparing decorations, creating tribute videos to honor veterans, and coordinating the entire event. One of the highlights was the posthumous induction of Sergeant Larry Rolland into the Buffalo Island Veterans Hall of Fame, ensuring his service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

Through our Adopt A Grandfriend project, students build meaningful relationships with local nursing home residents through weekly visits, interactive activities, and shared experiences. This initiative fosters empathy, communication, and leadership while bringing joy to seniors. By planning games, crafts, and entertainment, students enrich residents' lives and gain valuable life perspectives. This project highlights the power of intergenerational connection, community engagement, and student-driven service.

A student team continued our Sensory Blanket Project, creating handmade blankets that promote fine motor skills and reduce anxiety. To expand their efforts, they secured a DonorsChoose grant for materials and collaborated with local professionals to enhance the design. The team also donated blankets to our Grandfriends at Monette Manor, providing comfort and therapeutic benefits to the residents.

When our local police chief expressed how much a personalized plaque meant to him, he reached out to our EAST classroom to create similar 3D-printed plaques for his officers. Inspired by his gratitude, one of our students, Jett, took the lead in designing and printing customized plaques, refining his 3D design and printing skills in the process. He mastered the use of multiple colors within a single design, enhancing the final product. This project demonstrates how technology and creativity can foster meaningful connections and appreciation. By recognizing the dedication of our everyday heroes, we strengthen our community and show gratitude for those who serve and protect us.

A group of EAST students worked on a National History Day project about how student rights have been revoked over time. They focused on key Supreme Court cases like Tinker v. Des Moines and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier and interviewed people involved in those cases. The students then used Audacity to create audio clips of important quotes, which were paired with 3D printed objects representing each case. Metal-infused stickers on the objects activate the audio when placed on a Museum in a Box, making the exhibit interactive.  This project will be integrated into our Civics curriculum, with our Civics teacher utilizing it each year to help students explore constitutional rights and the impact of Supreme Court rulings. Additionally, our local museum is excited to display this project as a community learning experience and we all hope that it will help boost attendance by drawing in visitors interested in this unique, hands-on exhibit.

When our school technology coordinator planned to launch a new website, he turned to our EAST programs to create a background video showcasing students and school activities. Housten embraced the challenge, learning video editing from the ground up to bring the vision to life. Despite having no prior experience, he developed new technical skills and gained confidence in digital storytelling. Future goals include updating the video regularly to capture the different activities happening across our school.

In collaboration with our School Resource Officer, we developed Child Identification Kits for elementary students to help ensure that parents have essential information readily available in the event of an emergency. These kits include vital details, such as personal identification and emergency contact information, empowering both parents and authorities to act quickly and effectively if needed. This project reflects our commitment to student safety and preparedness and fosters collaboration with local law enforcement to support the well-being of our school community.

Two of our students recently became certified Tech Caregivers through CyberPatriot's Cyber Generations program. Building on this achievement, they collaborated to create a comprehensive course designed to teach adults in our community the essential skills needed to become Cyber Aware.

In partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College, we are offering this course through their community education program to ensure accessibility and community involvement. The course will be held on Friday, April 4, providing a valuable opportunity for adults in the Buffalo Island area to improve their digital literacy and cybersecurity knowledge.

Jesalynn, an EAST student diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 16, faced challenges at school due to a lack of awareness. To foster a more inclusive environment, she is developing a website with practical guides for teachers. The site will offer snack recommendations, emergency strategies, and other resources in both video and written formats. Through this project, Jesalynn is refining her web design skills while creating a tool for educators  to better support diabetic students.

Zenia and Kinley designed and 3D printed a dog leg. The reason for all of this is because the lead client's dog had to have his leg amputated, and they wanted to help him live his life easier. This project includes two 3D printed cylinders connected by a piece with an oval piece at the bottom that acts as the foot of the leg.