University of Arkansas at Little Rock Prepares Annual STEM Showcase
Hundreds of prospective students, families, and community members will gather at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on November 4, 2026, for the annual Nerd Night exhibition. The Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics sponsors the evening event, which runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features hands-on STEM activities, food trucks, and raffle prizes.
More than 600 people have already registered for the 2026 program, outpacing last year’s early numbers as total attendance climbs toward last year’s mark of over 700 visitors. Erin Flowers, director of student services, said the annual gathering continues to grow every year.
Tour Robotics Displays and Maker Spaces in the Engineering Building
Most exhibits sit on the first and fourth floors of the Engineering and Information Technology building. Visitors can tour the Trojan Forge Makerspace, test virtual and augmented reality applications, and view mobile and industrial robot displays. The Aerospace Club is bringing back its popular pop-up planetarium inside the facility.
Additional EIT exhibits include Cybersecurity Club stations, an Industrial Control Systems Cookie Factory activity, VEX robotics demonstrations, giant Rubik’s cubes, popsicle bridge building, and pathology specimens. Organizers noted that there are no exhibits on the second floor of the EIT building this year.
Stargazing and Satellite Events Across Campus
Stabler Hall will host Pico balloon launches at 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m., alongside evening stargazing sessions. Flowers noted that skies should remain clear for stargazing, with a live feed projecting views from the observatory directly into the EIT building. Meanwhile, the Engineering Technology and Applied Science building features a gaming lounge with eSports.
Trojan Way hosts outdoor crop demonstration activities alongside “disappearing ghosts,” witches brew, and a new pet rock adoption station. Visitors checking in can find food truck options offering barbecue, tacos, loaded potatoes, and vegetarian and vegan items in the parking lot located between the EIT building and the Reynolds business building.
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