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Community Education
Tween Robotics Club
with Scott Phillips
Build. Code. Create.
The Tween Robotics Club brings tweens, ages 9 to 12, together to take on exciting new engineering and programming challenges using LEGO® Spike Essentials robotics kits. Work with friends to design robots, program their movements, and put them to the test in friendly competitions.
From obstacle courses and races to imaginative problem-solving missions, each session offers a fresh challenge that blends creativity, teamwork, and STEM skills. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
The class is led by Scott Phillips, Director of Industry and Community Partnerships at UACCB, who is passionate about introducing kids to STEM. He believes the skills learned—like problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking—are tools they can carry forward and apply throughout their lives.
- Register by calling the Library at 870-793-8814
- The class runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
- It's held at the Library in downtown Batesville
This program is made possible through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) and the Independence County Library, working together to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make STEM fun for the next generation.
Laser Engraving Garden Markers
with Scott Phillips
Create custom garden markers and plant stakes that are as practical as they are personal. In this hands-on, beginner-friendly class, you’ll design and laser engrave durable plant tags and garden stakes using UACCB’s professional-grade laser engraver.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with laser engraving while learning essential safety practices, basic design principles, and how digital designs are translated into finished engraved products. This class also provides a great introduction for anyone interested in exploring laser engraving before investing in a machine of their own.
Designing for laser engraving
Participants will start by creating simple, clean designs using Canva, then learn how those designs are prepared and engraved using LightBurn—the industry-standard software for laser cutters and engravers.
What you’ll make and take home
By the end of class, you’ll take home a set of custom garden markers engraved with plant names, graphics, or your own creative touches—perfect for vegetable gardens, flower beds, or thoughtful handmade gifts.
Who should attend
This class is ideal for hobbyists, gardeners, and anyone curious about laser engraving. No prior design or laser experience is required.
Details
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Cost: $25 for community members, free for UACCB students, employees, and employee family members
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What to bring: Nothing! All materials are provided, and a computer will be available for use during class.
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Experience level: Beginner-friendly. No prior design or laser engraving experience is required.
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Age requirement: Participants must be at least 16 years old or accompanied by an adult.
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Software used: Canva (design) and LightBurn (laser control).
Register today!
This class is limited to 10 students. However, if the class is already full when you register, please add your name to the waitlist. If there is enough interest, we may offer additional sections.
Tween Robotics Club
with Scott Phillips
Build. Code. Create.
The Tween Robotics Club brings tweens, ages 9 to 12, together to take on exciting new engineering and programming challenges using LEGO® Spike Essentials robotics kits. Work with friends to design robots, program their movements, and put them to the test in friendly competitions.
From obstacle courses and races to imaginative problem-solving missions, each session offers a fresh challenge that blends creativity, teamwork, and STEM skills. No prior experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to try something new!
The class is led by Scott Phillips, Director of Industry and Community Partnerships at UACCB, who is passionate about introducing kids to STEM. He believes the skills learned—like problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking—are tools they can carry forward and apply throughout their lives.
- Register by calling the Library at 870-793-8814
- The class runs from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
- It's held at the Library in downtown Batesville
This program is made possible through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) and the Independence County Library, working together to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and make STEM fun for the next generation.
Raised Bed Gardening
with Michelle Mobley
Course Description:
Unlock the secrets to a thriving vegetable garden with our comprehensive Raised Bed Gardening course. Whether you're a novice or an experienced gardener, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate a successful raised bed garden.
In this class, instructor Michelle Mobley will teach the basics to a successful raised bed vegetable garden. You will understand how and what vegetables will grow best in your raised bed. You will explore more about raised beds/container gardening.
By the end of this class, you'll have the confidence and knowledge to create and maintain a thriving raised bed vegetable garden, ensuring a bountiful harvest season after season. Join us on this journey to cultivate not just plants but a sustainable and fulfilling gardening experience.
This is a free class. Bring your family and friends.
Attend to Win:
One lucky participant will take home a free raised bed constructed from locally-grown and milled eastern red cedar! Eastern red cedar is an excellent choice for raised bed construction because it’s naturally rot-resistant, durable, pest-repellent, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, providing long-lasting performance without harmful chemicals.
About the instructor:
Michelle Mobley is the Independence County Extension Agent-Staff Chair for the UA System Division of Agriculture.
Will run
Hunter Education
with Jeff Eddy
Join us for this free, in-person Hunter Education class sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). The course takes place on Saturday, April 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Arkansas law requires anyone born after 1968 to complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. Youth under 16 may hunt without certification if supervised by an adult (age 21 or older), but completing this course is strongly encouraged.
There is no minimum age to enroll, but the course material is written at a sixth-grade reading level.
Upon successful completion, students will receive their official Arkansas Hunter Education card.
If you have questions, please call 870-612-2082. Registration online via the AGFC website is required.
Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners
with UACCB Online Training
Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners will teach you how to plan and create your very own blog and podcast. Through hands-on exercises, you will discover the benefits of using free web tools like Blogger, WordPress, Audacity, and YouTube. You will find that creating a blog and podcast is much easier than you ever imagined.
First, you will learn how to develop a plan for the content, setup, maintenance, and how to use free blogging software like Blogger and WordPress to put that plan into action. After that, learn how to record a professional-sounding audio podcast with a very simple recording tool you already have. You will edit the file with another free software program, add music to it, and then post it online for others to enjoy. Finally, you will find out how to record a video podcast. You will edit it, add special effects, drop in a podcasting-safe music file, and then publish it online.
Creating Web Pages
with UACCB Online Training
Create and post your very own website using HTML. You will learn the best strategies for planning the content, structure, and layout of your website as well as creating pages with neatly formatted text, building links between the pages, and more! This course will also cover search engine optimization and powerful no-cost or low-cost web marketing strategies.
Creating WordPress Websites
with UACCB Online Training
Learn how to create attractive, sophisticated blogs and websites—without any coding! WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, powering more than 40 percent of all sites on the Internet. WordPress is an easy-to-use solution that will help you put your site on the web in far less time than by coding, and at a much lower cost than hiring a professional.
In these lessons, you'll get hands-on experience with this powerful tool as you create your own WordPress.org site and blog. You'll find out how to use WordPress to create pages and posts, add images and videos, change a site's look and feel, and include user-friendly features. You'll discover the ease of using WordPress design themes to express your creativity, and you'll see how much fun it is to be part of the vibrant WordPress online community.
In addition to mastering the technical elements of WordPress, you'll learn how to organize a blog or website, create appealing content, keep your site secure, and achieve better positions on search engine results pages. By the end of this course, you'll be able to confidently use WordPress to create a blog or a personal, business, or organizational website.
Learn more about this online course >>