HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Remember your high school science and math teachers? What about the ones in middle school? Although it might take a moment to recall, chances are that an instructor in the science, technology, engineering and/or math (STEM) realm has left an indelible mark on your psyche.
Alabama A&M University announced their STEM education program will receive a four-year, $2 million grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
The funds give a greenlight to the formation of AAMUTeach, which will help boost the number of skilled STEM teachers in Alabama’s 7th-12th grade classrooms, according to CEHBS Dean Lena Walton and Dr. Samantha Strachan, joint founders of the new AAMUTeach.
The project will expand the current collaboration between education and STEM disciplines housed under three AAMU colleges: CEHBS; the College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences (CALNS); and the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences (CETPS).
AAMUTeach program will operate from its location at 213 Carver Complex Hollings Wing with a series of master teachers, support staff, day-to-day management, hiring and evaluations, all facilitated by Dr. Nathan Blom, the “Education” co-director, and Dr. Vernessa Edwards, the “STEM” co-director.
Additionally, Dr. Lydia Davenport, director of the Center for Educator Preparation and Certification Services, will serve as liaison between AAMUTeach and local schools, as well as the managing the field placement responsibilities of master teachers. Already aboard as partners are Madison City and Madison County school districts.
As the state’s largest historically black college/university (HBCU), AAMU also claims distinctions for its large pool of minority STEM majors and graduates. Following a seven-month planning period, the AAMUTeach program will launch full-force toward granting student participants equally rigorous Bachelor of Science degrees in biology, chemistry, math and physics, along with the added value of a secondary STEM teacher certification by the State of Alabama.
The AAMUTeach program is planning a formal launch event in early April 2023.