Bentonville High School seniors Aveek Sahana, Sami Sazci and Eric Wang are giving back to the local education scene by launching their own nonprofit.
Building Arkansas STEM Experiences aims to connect younger children with learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. The three stressed that early access to STEM resources allowed them to learn and thrive in the field, and they want to provide the same foundation for others in the community.
Sahana and Sazci both secured the title of 2026 Arkansas Computer Science Students of Distinction. The award recognizes students based on academic achievement, service and a commitment to excellence in the field of computer science. Wang’s background includes an award-winning team effort at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s AI Hackathon & HealthTech Startup Week in June.
Wang’s team developed InsuraMatch, a platform designed to connect users with insurance options. His experience in the fast-paced world of health tech analysis highlights the depth of skill being cultivated in local schools.
The nonprofit, Building Arkansas STEM Experiences, formalizes efforts that likely began in school hallways and classrooms. The group is looking to secure hardware, software and campus labs specifically for students to run experiments and code practice projects. The goal is to remove physical barriers so kids don’t have to wait until high school to get their hands on the gear.
Local STEM scene
There is tangible growth happening right here in Northwest Arkansas. The infrastructure supporting tech education is expanding, with organizations and school districts pushing toward more integrated learning. When you walk through the Bentonville School District, or see the energy downtown near the Brickyard and Crystal Bridges, the demand for technical skills is obvious.
The first visible step from the new nonprofit came with a competition on Aug. 8 at Building Arkansas STEM Experiences’ STEM Festival. Attendance there proves the appetite for hands-on learning in the area. The festival gave the founders a venue to show, rather than just tell, what effective STEM education looks like.
Founders said the nonprofit will work to bridge the gap between available resources and student needs. This isn’t about fundraising for things that already exist; it is about filling the holes where local students are missing out on critical tools.
Sources: NWA Democrat-Gazette
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
