In its second year of operation, the Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Coalition (AMSTEC) focused its efforts on membership development, public engagement, and identification of the various mathematics, science, and technology education programs and activities presently in existence in Alabama. AMSTEC also has played a significant role in the development of the AMSTI (Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative).
NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP): The NASSMC State Summits Implementation Program (NSSIP) provides assistance to state based organizations with planning, developing, administering, implementing, following-up and sustaining state mathematics and science education summits. NSSIP grants have been awarded to seven states in April 2005 through funding provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Additional support is provided through a separate grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
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Alabama is one of the states featured in the Linking Leaders Community for Change Book. Click the image to go to the Linking Leaders book main page and learn more about Alabama's Linking Leaders program activities. |
The Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Coalition is implementing an awareness campaign through a series of local forums inviting leaders in business, education and policy to identify needs and challenges in systemic STEM education reform. The forums will provide an initial setting to develop a shared vision for success. The project will result in a state-wide Summit: “Growing What Works”, a set of recommendations for the Board of Education and a statewide strategic plan. Alabama is a leader in systemic science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education reform. The Growing What Works Summit, March 6-7, served as a catalyst to clarify and re-define Alabama’s pathway to continued leadership in STEM education for the next decade.
Summit Goals
- Identify the width and breadth of Alabama’s needs and challenges in improving STEM education for all students
- Identify Alabama’s needs for improving STEM education specifically to enhance workforce competitiveness.
- Identify strategies for engaging the entire stakeholder community in support of meeting those identified needs and challenges (like improving STEM education for all students)
- The sharing of best practices from around the state identified in the forum activities.
NES Partnerships for Sustainability: The NES Partnerships for Sustainability Program was launched in 2003 as a pilot to gauge the effectiveness of state-based coalitions working in active collaboration with the NASA Explorer Schools. As part of this pilot funding was awarded to Alabama Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Coalition (AMSTEC) in partnership with Phenix City Intermediate School, to address sustainability issues after the NES program award years.
Linking Leaders: The Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education Coalition (AMSTEC) has played a significant role in the development of the AMSTI (Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative). The Initiative was approved by the State Board of Education on December 14, 2000. Implementation began in summer 2001. Some of AMSTEC's partner organizations are the Alabama Department of Education, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), BellSouth, Intergraph, Space and Rocket Center, The University of Alabama System, Business Council of Alabama, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and Alabama Public Television.AMSTEC has expanded its membership to over 70 individuals and organizations; written and approved bylaws and a strategic plan; held eight full-day planning and information-sharing meetings each of which was attended by 20 to 50 members; and hosted presenters from NASA's GLOBE program, the Alabama Reading Initiative, SERVE, and Glenn Commission of the US Department of Education, among others. An AMSTEC private sector member was chosen to serve on the Alabama Science Course of Study review and revision team. |
