The EAST Initiative is an educational non-profit that oversees and trains for a school program, EAST, that operates primarily in the United States. The program began in 1995 in Arkansas. It offers students and teachers professional technology and software for use in a loosely structured, self-driven environment. EAST training (student) EAST students routinely receive training from accomplished professionals in the fields that they represent. Student training is primarily intended to educate students on technology groups while offering a team environment in which to learn. While slots are limited, an effort is made to accommodate all students who wish to attend. As of April, 2005, students have the following course opportunities (variability within programs is common): Technology training: Microsoft Operating Systems/Windows Server Management GIS/GPS (Geographic Information System/Global Positioning System) with Trimble, ESRI, and Intergraph Introductory GIS/GPS Geospatial Projects Advanced Vector analysis and Visualization Advanced Cartography Advanced Image processing and Visualization 3D Animation with Softimage XSI (introductory and advanced) Architectural Design with Bentley's MicroStation PC Upgrade and repair Microsoft Visual Basic and Visual Studio (introductory and advanced) Website design with Adobe Systems (Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks) Photo editing with Adobe Photoshop Digital Video Editing with Final Cut Pro system Music Editing with FL Studio 3D modeling and engineering with Solid Edge from UGS Online course offerings: EAST Geospatial Virtual Camp School Mapping Project ESRI Virtual Campus Students experience many different types of software/hardware, including (as taken from the EAST website): CAD/solid modeling/visualization: AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, SketchUp Pro, Solid Edge, etc. 3D animation: Maya, 3DS Max, Blender, etc. Programming/coding: Arduino, Pi-Top, Xcode, Visual Studio, etc. GPS/GIS: ArcMap, ArcGlobe, ArcGIS.com, Garmin GLO, etc. Video/photography/graphics: DSLR Cameras, GoPro Cameras, Professional Video Cameras, Ricoh Theta S, Audio Kit, Lighting and Green Screen Kit, Tripods, Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro X, Oculus Rift Kit (including Oculus VR Headset), 3D Scanners, Vinyl Cutters, etc. Music composition/production: FL Studio Signature Edition, Blue Yeti Pro, MIDI Keyboard with Drum Pad, etc. Servers and computers: Windows Server, Workstations & Laptops, Oculus Workstation, Apple iMac Workstations, Apple MacBook Pro Laptop, etc. Mobile devices: Apple iPad, Android Tablet, Printers, 3D Printers, Plotter, All-in-One Printer, Color Printer, Laser Cutters, etc. Video/presentations: Apple TV, Chromecast, Flat Screen TV, etc. Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite Project-based learning EAST students are expected (and in many cases required) to generate an idea for a project which helps the community or school that acts as host to the lab; after