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The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute is dedicated to cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a passion for lifelong learning through inquiry, place based learning opportunities, high-quality professional development, student activities, and community and industry partnerships.

Upcoming Events

On-site Events

October 9th
Event: RAISE Ecosystem Meeting
Time: 9:00 AM – Until
Location: MSB 215

November 16th
Event: VEX IQ Tournament
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Hughes Gym

 

Coming in 2025

  • 2 more VEX IQ tournaments and 1 VEX VRC tournament
  • Follow up PD Sessions with Anne Gallagher
  • Elementary Science Olympiad Youth Climate Summit

Professional Development Opportunities

Climate Change Capstone Experience

Wednesdays 3:30-5:30pm, Aug 28, Sept 24, Oct 23, Nov 20, Dec 18. Must attend all sessions to get PD credit.

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Elementary Virtual Math Workshops

Tuesday October 8, Tuesday October 29th | Come together with math teachers across Alabama to experience how to create a math curious classroom!

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Dive Into Data Through a STEM Lens!

Thursday October 10, Thursday, October 24th | This 2-part interactive workshop will explore K-12 lessons that have students collecting and analyzing data that is important to their world and experiences. If dogs have long hair, are they more likely to have curly tails? Does the day of the week impact if a video goes viral?  Teachers will experience lessons that dive into these questions and provide you with all the resources to replicate the lesson(s) with your students and experience data in a new way.

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About Us

Our Goal:

Revitalization of STEM education in Alabama (particularly rural STEM education in the Black Belt Region) 

The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute is a powerful regional center for STEM education that aims to serve the hiring needs of employers across Alabama, but especially in the Black Belt. By offering supplemental curricula focused on providing students real­ world learning experiences in the context of innovation, design and technology, students develop an awareness of STEM career opportunities while simultaneously reinforcing academic standards and skills learned in the classroom.   

The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute, informed by research, expert STEM educators, school partners, business and industry demands, as well as other stakeholders including parents, community leaders and students, will serve as the hub organization central to a network of stakeholders dedicated to transforming STEM education in the West Alabama Black Belt region. This Collective Impact approach facilitates the effective use of resources to make measurable differences in STEM education. By addressing the primary areas impacting student achievement, recruitment of STEM teachers, retention of STEM teachers, and education of students using best practices in STEM education focused on the skills needed by business and industry, the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute will change the landscape of the Black Belt.

The Black Belt STEM Education Institute has received TEAMS Approval and AMSTI Affiliation.
As such, we offer high-quality professional development sessions for math and science teachers.

TEAMS Approval

AMSTI Affiliation

If you have any questions, would like to know more about the Black Belt STEM Institute, or would like to work with the Institute to help improve STEM education in the region, please email cnicklas@uwa.edu

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