Governor visits UAB-assisted training of Alabama educators

The Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) Summer Institute is underway to train teachers new approaches to teaching math and science.

Governor Robert Bentley visited with educators from across Central Alabama who are attending the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) Summer Institute at Oak Mountain Middle School on July 17, 2013. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is an AMSTI partner and helps facilitate the training.

UAB Provost Linda Lucas and Gov. Robert Bentley visit educators at Oak Mountain Middle School during the AMSTI Summer Institute.UAB Provost Linda Lucas and Gov. Robert Bentley visit educators at Oak Mountain Middle School during the AMSTI Summer Institute.AMSTI is the Alabama Department of Education’s initiative to improve math and science teaching statewide. The goal is to provide all students in grades K-12 with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the workforce and/or postsecondary studies through a “learning by doing” approach.

“As an engineer, I’m very happy to see these educators learn creative ways to bring excitement about math and science to students,” said UAB Provost Linda Lucas, Ph.D, who was on-hand as the governor toured the classroom training sessions.

Governor Bentley echoed similar thoughts about the AMSTI Summer Institute.

“Being a physician, I loved math and science,” Bentley said. “I was taught the importance of learning these subjects and how to apply them to everyday life, and AMSTI helps accomplish this.”

Bentley said approximately 50 percent of schools in Alabama are official AMSTI schools.

“America is no longer ranked number one in math and science, and that needs to change,” Bentley said. “In Alabama, we are going to make that change through AMSTI.”

Bentley concluded by thanking UAB and other AMSTI partners for all they do in working to make the initiative a success.

For more information about AMSTI-UAB, visit: www.uab.edu/amsti.