(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Education/Workforce Development
Honorable Mention • Over 20,000
Population: 22,937
Mayor: Mat Faulkner
County: White
Region: Central
The Challenge
When a report came out in the mid-2000s detailing U.S. students were not achieving high levels of success in the STEM disciplines, Searcy took matters into its own hands. Where others saw challenges with getting students involved in STEM fields, Searcy sought a way to shine a fun light on the fields. The city knew it needed to use an interdisciplinary approach in which students could integrate their knowledge and gain problem-solving skills.
Harding University has donated space and some utilities for the FIRST Robotics Competition for the past two years. In 2022, their facility donation was valued at $78,000.
The Solution
Robotics has gained widespread recognition as an effective hands-on way to get students interested in STEM fields. Searcy is a leader in Arkansas, with robotics teams throughout several schools. Harding Academy’s Breakaway 3937 ranks in the top 100 teams in the world. In 2022, Searcy became the host city for FIRST Robotics Competition, which included 19 teams from five states and Mexico. In 2023, the event was back in Searcy, with 29 teams from seven states for regionals.
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