ISER Launched in late 2022 and we are excited about the new opportunities coming up for 2023-2024. Below are some of our new initiatives and programs that we want to highlight.

Please sign up as an affiliate to hear more about these opportunities. 

• Webinars on Educational Outreach
• Robotics Competitions
• Opportunities to be involved in afterschool programs

The 2024 Robotics Competition dates have been announced! Save the date: April 6, 2024.

Applications for Aspirations in Computing Community (NCWIT Aspirations) will open on September 1 and close on November 6. This program is for high school women interested in computing.

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Rural Water Education (RWE) Partnership for Place-Based STEM Learning in Out-of-School Program

We received funding in summer 2023 as part of a collaborative grant with the Black Belt Community Foundation and Greensboro Middle School to the National Academies Gulf Research Program.

We are thrilled to partner with these organizations to create afterschool programs that connect grade 6-8 students and teachers with UA researchers from the Alabama Water Institute and a regional consortium. Students will have opportunities to explore the water and wastewater research going on in their communities and to contribute through their own research projects. Our partners in this work include:
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Black Belt Community Foundation
Chris Spencer (PI, Chief Engagement Officer)
Felecia Lucky (CEO)
 
UA collaborators:
Dominic Combs (Education)
Shannon Davidson (Education)
Emily Elliott (New College)
Mark Elliott (Engineering)
Joni Lakin (Education)
Hope Whiteside (ATI)
 
Greensboro Middle School
Anthony Sanders (Principal)
Myra Harris (Assistant Principal)

STEM Curriculum Design Team
Through collaboration with Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI) and Saban Discovery Center (SDC), the STEM Curriculum Team has launched! The team, composed of teachers and administrators from Tuscaloosa City Schools with expertise and experience in teaching quality K12 STEM, has a primary purpose to design standards-based STEM curriculum that advances K12 STEM education and enhances STEM identities of learners. The focus is on developing strong STEM-minded students and educators with strengthened STEM skill-sets that lead to future STEM career aspirations. Developing teacher agency to lead the lessons, and to research and design learning experiences based on STEM needs of their communities is also a charge of this team.

The initial curriculum will be utilized to provide connections to experiences that are housed in Saban Discovery Center. The team is also providing guidance on exhibits housed in SDC. There is an additional intentional focus on STEM careers such as careers in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other emergent technologies that prepare youth for future STEM careers. 

Curriculum Design Team Leaders:
Lisa Fowler, Professor, Curriculum and Instruction and Science Education
Taylor Lamon, STEM Specialist in Residence 
Brian Rose, Administrator in Residence