Registration is now open for Camp Dragonfly, a weekend grief and loss camp for children ages 7-12, who have suffered the loss of a loved one. All activities at Camp Dragonfly are designed to help children heal and learn coping skills to use after a loss. During the weekend, campers have the opportunity to participate in art activities, games, nature hikes, discussions, and a campfire with s’mores! Registration closes March 6.

Sparklight®, a leading fiber-fueled internet provider, is launching its 2026 “Dream Bigger” contest, awarding $30,000 to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for K–12 students. Twelve winning schools or organizations will receive $2,500 each.

We’re excited to celebrate the East Texas A&M Planetarium’s 20th anniversary on February 21 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the McFarland Science Building! The event will feature planetarium demos, interactive stations, free giveaways and more than $4,000 in prize drawings, including telescopes and other big-ticket items.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University senior Torrie Taylor has been awarded the Walter O. Mason Scholarship by the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP).

From September 6, 2025 through March 1, 2026, visitors to Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas will be able to let their imagination run wild as they travel back in time along a half-mile nature trail with 14 life-size animatronic dinosaurs. During the 20th Annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibition, these animatronic dinosaurs will move and roar, providing an experience sure to captivate visitors.

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Bonham ISD will be held February 23, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Bonham ISD Administration Center, 1005 Chestnut Street, Bonham, TX 75418.

As the healthcare industry evolves and hospitals increasingly prefer bachelor’s-prepared nurses, advancing from a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree to an RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is more important than ever.

There are 3 seats that are expiring this year. The deadline to file for a Place on the Ballot is February 13th, 2026.

The Austin College Professionalism and the Humanities Leadership Program (PATH) will welcome four alumni as panelists for the semi-annual Humanities Alumni Panel on Thursday, February 19, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall.

Project Celebration is a partnership between educators, parents, and community leaders to reduce impaired driving crashes by providing safe, chemical-free environments for students. Schools hosting an overnight lock-in can receive reimbursable mini-grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 to cover expenses such as supplies, printing, and room rental. The higher levels of funding are available for schools that include approved DWI safety activities like guest speakers or PSA contests.

Associate Professor of Theatre Liz Banks will present a lecture titled “Adventures in New York” at Austin College. A reception will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with the lecture following at 5 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall.

Feb. 7-14 marks the 14th Court Reporting & Captioning Week, sponsored by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the country’s leading organization representing stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers, and the Association’s Secretary-Treasurer Stacey M. Potenza, CRC, from Secretary-Treasurer McKinney, Texas, wants to share with you and the public more about this viable career choice that offers great benefits and does not require a four-year degree.

The fairy godmothers of The St. Andrew Prom Closet announce that the 17th Annual Prom Closet is scheduled for Feb. 24 - 28 and March 2 - 5, and 7, 2026, at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano. Girls from ANYWHERE in need of a prom dress are invited to select a dress and accessories - all at no cost. To make these dreams possible, the community is invited to donate dresses (sizes 0–30), jewelry, shoes, handbags, and wraps to help complete every girl’s prom look for her special night.

The Austin College Art & Art History Department is hosting a reception for the art exhibit Integrated: Materials & Process, by art faculty Brianna Burnett ’02 and Mark Monroe ’81, known collectively as Alliterations, on February 17 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (with remarks from the artists at 5:30 p.m.) in the Betsy Dennis Forster Art Studio Complex.

If you are a teacher that is interested in hosting a TEKS-supportive demonstration, check out our teacher resources webpage!

Stars & Stripes FireWorks Building, 2014, archival inkjet print | photo by Chaddy Dean Smith

Texas A&M University has awarded $1.325 million to fund 11 multidisciplinary research projects aimed at improving brain health and advancing innovations in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The awards were announced through the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Research Initiative (DARI), led by Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) and the Division of Research.