CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem

In an effort to broaden participation in SparkSTEM Discovery Day, we are now opening registration to families. In addition to school-facilitated attendance, parents may now register and attend the event individually with their rising 6th grade student. The event will take place on July 21, 2025, at the CREATE Technology & Innovation Center.

This adjustment is intended to increase access to this valuable STEM experience, which features hands-on activities and interaction with local industry partners.

Learn more about the event here: SparkSTEM Discovery Day

Want to be part of this exciting event? We're looking for volunteers to help make our event a success!

Whether you love organizing, greeting guests, or jumping in wherever needed — we’d love to have your support.

👇🏻 Click the link below to fill out the Volunteer Interest Form, and a team member will be in touch with next steps. Let’s make it happen together!

Learning Blade is a fully funded, ready-to-use STEM and CTE platform available at no cost to all Alabama schools, thanks to support from the Alabama State Department of Education – Office of Career Technical Education.

Designed for grades 5–9, Learning Blade offers over 400 interactive lessons aligned to academic standards in math, science, social studies, and language arts, all centered around real-world missions that build awareness of high-demand careers in fields like advanced manufacturing, health sciences, digital technology, and more.

💡 Features include:

• Career-connected missions and hands-on challenge projects

• Lessons in AI, coding, engineering, and computer careers

• 3D printing activities, career videos, and papercraft figures

• Parent handouts and at-home experiments

Perfect for use in STEM classes, CTE programs, computer science, or enrichment, Learning Blade promotes design thinking and problem-solving while sparking student interest in future careers.

👉 Sign up today and access all resources at: LearningBlade.com/AL

Mark your calendars for an exciting opportunity that empowers young minds to dream big and plan their futures! The 2nd Annual Youth Trades Day is happening on June 5, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 PM at the South Highland Community Center located at 229 S Allen Ave., Anniston, AL 36207.

Open to students in grades K–8, this event invites youth to explore the 16 Career Clusters, choose a future path that excites them, and showcase their interests through a short presentation. Participants will have a chance to win exciting prizes by presenting their chosen career at the event!

In addition to career exploration, the evening will be filled with games, food, resources, bouncy houses, and career presentations. Whether you're interested in science, construction, education, or healthcare, there's something here for every young dreamer.

How to Join:
✅ Pick a career from one of the 16 clusters
✅ Create a short presentation
✅ Present at the event for a chance to win!

🎯 Your future starts here! Sign up now by scanning the QR code on the flyer

June 24–25, 2025 | Sylacauga, AL

📍 Location: B.B. Comer Memorial Library, 314 N Broadway Ave, Sylacauga, AL

Calling all creative educators of grades 5–12! You're invited to participate in the SPARK! Places of Innovation Teacher Workshop, a dynamic two-day experience designed to ignite your imagination—and your students'. This workshop complements the Smithsonian’s SPARK! Places of Innovation traveling exhibit and is presented in partnership with Design Alabama.

Participants will receive:

• Innovative, ready-to-use classroom resources

• A stipend

• Professional development credits

• A deeper connection to the SPARK! exhibition and its themes of creativity and community

The workshop coincides with the SPARK! exhibit’s Sylacauga stop at the Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Arts Center and is part of a statewide tour presented by the Alabama Humanities Alliance, with support from Innovate Alabama.

Don’t miss this chance to explore how people, place, and timing come together to spark innovation—and how you can inspire that same spirit in your students.

Alabama is taking bold steps to become a national leader in invention education thanks to the exciting expansion of Invention Convention Alabama (ICA)—a program powered by iSTEM Alabama, a collaborative of informal STEM providers across the state.

After a successful pilot in workforce regions 2 and 5 that reached 300 students in grades 5–8, ICA is now expanding into all seven workforce regions for the 2025–2026 school year. This initiative is supported by the Alabama STEM Council and aims to engage more students in solving real-world problems through innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

What is Invention Convention Alabama?
ICA is a free, grade-level appropriate program that teaches STEM skills through the lens of invention and entrepreneurship. Students are encouraged to tackle real problems from their own experiences, design creative solutions, and present their ideas "Shark Tank" style. The program is open to educators and mentors from a wide range of organizations, including public/private/home schools, after-school programs, scouting groups, 4-H clubs, and youth organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs.

Summer Training Opportunities – Free and TEAMS Approved
To support statewide implementation, ICA is offering free, one-day professional development sessions for educators in seven regional locations this summer:

• June 12 – Auburn (Hosted by iSTEM Connectory Auburn)

• June 26 – Huntsville (Hosted by HudsonAlpha Institute)

• July 10 – Mobile (Hosted by Dauphin Island Sea Lab)

• July 11 – Dothan (Hosted by Landmark Park)

• July 17 – Tuscaloosa (Hosted by University of Alabama, College of Education)

• August 22 – Birmingham (Hosted by Southern Research)

• Postponed – Oxford

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Get Involved and Help Spread the Word
iSTEM Alabama invites educators, schools, and community partners to take part in this transformative program and help make Alabama the fastest growing state for invention education in 2025–26. The attached flyer includes contact information for each regional hub director—reach out to your region's leader to learn more and register for training.

Together, let's inspire the next generation of inventors across Alabama!
Questions? Contact Mary Lou Ewald, Director of Invention Convention Alabama at Auburn University: ewaldml@auburn.edu.

We’re excited to share the launch of the Alabama STEM Council’s inaugural STEM Event Calendar, your go-to resource for discovering and promoting STEM events across our state. This calendar highlights the amazing work in STEM education, research, and outreach happening throughout Alabama—and aims to spark greater collaboration and community engagement.

Check out the attached calendar for upcoming opportunities. For questions about specific events, please contact the listed event coordinator.

The Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Arts Center is proud to host the SPARK! Places of Innovation exhibition from June 20 – July 19, 2025. Developed by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center, this dynamic exhibit highlights how rural communities across the U.S. have become hubs of creativity and problem-solving through a unique mix of people, place, and timing. Through engaging photos, objects, videos, and hands-on displays, visitors will explore stories of innovation across technical, social, cultural, and artistic fields.

Special Reception – June 26, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for a progressive reception beginning at the Comer Museum, followed by shuttle service to EARTH (East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub) for “A Taste of EARTH”—a showcase of local talent, ideas, and innovation in action.

Locations:

• Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Arts Center

• EARTH: 1070 Seminole Avenue, Sylacauga, AL 35150

Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of local innovation and community creativity!

July 21, 2025 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
CREATE Technology & Innovation Center, Oxford, AL

Hosted by the CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem, this immersive event invites rising 6th graders to explore hands-on STEM activities, connect with industry professionals, and discover local career pathways. Parent involvement and transportation support available.

Learn more: ecosystem.alabamacreate.com

We want to hear from you! If your school or business has exciting STEM experiences or partnerships between industry and the community, we’d love to feature them in our next issue. Please take a moment to share your story by scanning the QR code or clicking the link to fill out our quick form. Your contribution helps us highlight innovative learning opportunities and inspire others across our community. We look forward to learning about the amazing work happening in STEM near you!