CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem

The CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem is a groundbreaking initiative designed to build a vibrant STEM community in East Alabama through partnerships and collaboration. By bringing together local schools, colleges, libraries, youth organizations, industries, and more, this ecosystem creates a dynamic network of opportunities for students to explore, discover, and excel in STEM fields.

At the heart of the ecosystem is a shared vision to strengthen workforce development. Industry partners recognize that a strong foundation in STEM is crucial for developing the skilled workforce that will drive East Alabama’s economic growth in the future.

Through collaboration, stakeholders are working together to intentionally design partnerships that expand STEM participation and ensure equitable access to STEM education for all students, regardless of background. Schools, businesses, museums, and community groups all play a vital role in making this vision a reality.

September 9, 2024 | CREATE Center

Oxford City Schools, in partnership with the Alabama STEM Council and the TIES (Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM), hosted the first CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem Design Studio at the CREATE Center—a milestone event in East Alabama's journey to broaden STEM education opportunities. More than 80 community stakeholders, including educators, industry leaders, and policymakers, attended to help shape the vision for an inclusive STEM ecosystem in the region.

The Design Studio provided a collaborative platform for attendees to explore strategies for enhancing STEM education and access across East Alabama. Through engaging workshops and discussions, participants worked on aligning STEM resources with workforce needs, supporting educators, and inspiring students to pursue STEM pathways. This collaborative effort emphasized the shared mission to build a sustainable and equitable STEM learning ecosystem.

Rene McNeal, Alabama STEM Council, STEM Ecosystem Coordinator, led the initiative, guiding stakeholders as they developed a preliminary mission and vision for the CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem. The day concluded with a sense of unity and purpose, marking a pivotal step toward a brighter future for STEM education across East Alabama.

October 2, 2024 | CREATE Center

The second CREATE Design Studio marked an important step forward for the CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem, emphasizing collaboration, SMART goal development, and workforce integration to connect education with career pathways. Participants from the education, business, nonprofit, and government sectors underscored the importance of cross-sector partnerships in driving STEM growth, creating new collaborations while strengthening existing ones, particularly around preparing students for careers. Together, teams refined SMART goals—focused on expanding partnerships, integrating project-based learning, and aligning curricula with industry needs—to ensure alignment with the state’s STEM vision.

Workforce development was a key theme, with plans for programs that connect students to local businesses through internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships. Industry representatives emphasized aligning educational outcomes with real-world demands, reinforcing the ecosystem's commitment to preparing students for the workforce. The event included a focused action-planning session where participants outlined implementation plans with clear roles, timelines, and resources. Feedback highlighted collaboration as a standout feature, with participants feeling optimistic about the next steps, though some expressed a need for more industry presence and clearer tracking timelines. Moving forward, teams will have monthly virtual check-ins to maintain momentum, and newly formed industry partnerships will be leveraged to offer hands-on STEM experiences for students. Through these efforts, CREATE is building a robust foundation to support STEM learning and workforce readiness.

This fall, six new STEM centers opened across Calhoun County, bringing hands-on, interactive STEM learning to local students. The centers—located at Golden Springs Elementary, Randolph Park Elementary, Saks Elementary, Walter Wellborn Elementary, the YMCA of Calhoun County, and the Boys and Girls Club of East Central Alabama—enable students to explore STEM fields through critical thinking and problem-solving activities.

The STEM Center at the Downtown Anniston YMCA is used during out-of-school times, such as holidays, E-days, and in-service days, providing additional opportunities for students to engage in STEM learning and exploration.

The STEM classrooms were built over the summer through a partnership between the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, McWane Inc., and its Anniston-based divisions, Tyler Union and M&H Valve. This initiative provided essential resources, including classroom furnishings, equipment, supplies, and teacher training, all aimed at inspiring student interest in STEM fields and building skills for future careers.

STEM Centers open at local elementary schools, organizations in Calhoun County, SOURCE: ABC 33/40 News. p /p

What an amazing day for students, staff, and the local community at Kitty Stone Elementary! After a whirlwind of activities and excitement, faculty and volunteers were left with full hearts and tired feet. This year’s Career Day, held with the support of local businesses, industries, and post-secondary institutions, introduced students to a world of career paths, with a special focus on STEM-related fields that are shaping the future.

As students explored different stations, they were greeted by professionals across a range of fields, including technology, engineering, healthcare, and environmental science, all eager to share their passion for STEM. Hands-on demonstrations and stories of career journeys filled the day with smiles, curiosity, and the spark of new dreams. The faces of students and presenters alike were lit up, making all the hours of planning and coordination worthwhile.

More than just an event, this Career Day was an opportunity for students to see themselves in STEM careers and learn directly from those making an impact in our community. Thanks to everyone who contributed their time, resources, and energy to make this day possible. These experiences are ones our students will carry with them for years to come, paving the way for a bright future in STEM and beyond right here in our hometown.

Thanks to First Bank of Alabama and Anniston Museums and Gardens, all third graders in Talladega County are receiving a unique STEM learning experience. The "Fossil Evidence" program, featuring live animals and hands-on activities, is offered free to schools. In addition, each student receives a ticket to visit the Anniston Museum of Natural History, further enriching their STEM education.

This collaboration highlights the power of community partnerships, ensuring equitable access to STEM opportunities for every third grader in the region.

Fourth graders from Coldwater, Dearmanville, Kitty Stone, Munford, and Oxford Elementary Schools recently participated in the Zombie Emergency Response Organization (ZERO) program at Camp Lee. Over several days, each school’s students took part in outdoor STEM activities focused on essential survival skills and teamwork.

Led by "Commanders"—Commander Mountain Lion, Commander Creek Camper, and Commander Bear—students rotated through stations to learn water filtration, basic first aid, and shelter-building. Working in teams, they built water filters, constructed shelters, and practiced first-aid techniques, learning the importance of staying safe and healthy in the wilderness.

The program encouraged problem-solving, collaboration, and an appreciation for the outdoors. Both students and teachers left feeling inspired and excited about STEM, with students eager for more outdoor learning adventures in the future. Camp Lee provided the perfect backdrop for this hands-on experience, connecting classroom concepts with real-world skills in a fun and memorable way.

The Teen Science Café program at Munford Middle School is sparking excitement for STEM careers through interactive sessions that connect students with professionals in fascinating fields. Sponsored by Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education, the cafés offer a unique experience where students explore STEM careers and topics in an engaging, hands-on format. This school year’s second café, themed "Night at the Museum," featured Aimee Grey from Anniston Museums and Gardens, who shared insights into museum and animal care careers.

The Munford Teen Science Café is student-led, with a committee of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who plan the events, guide visiting speakers through the school, and ensure each café runs smoothly. This leadership experience empowers students, giving them a sense of ownership and valuable skills in planning and coordination. The cafés are held after school, making it easier for all students to participate, and thanks to Legacy’s sponsorship, there is no registration fee, removing barriers to entry.

The program attracts around 60 members each year, with Munford High School science students also invited to learn about the speakers' careers. Each café follows a consistent format: the speaker arrives early to set up, tours the school with committee members, and then gives a 20-30 minute presentation about their background, career, and industry, often with a hands-on activity. Students get to interact more informally with the speaker over themed snacks, allowing them to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the field.

Topics have included fields like biosystems engineering, astronomy, and chemical engineering, exposing students to a range of careers they may not typically encounter. This past summer, Munford’s café coordinator, Kim Murray, attended a national Teen Science Café conference in San Diego, collaborating with STEM educators to gather new ideas for the program. Recently, Munford student café officers also joined the first Teen Science Café Summit at Auburn University, where they networked with other café members from across Alabama and engaged in sessions with STEM professionals.

The success of Munford’s Teen Science Café is rooted in strong partnerships with local industry and STEM-focused organizations, including the Calhoun County Economic Council, Alabama STEM Council, East Alabama Works’ Educator Workforce Academy, and the CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem. Through these connections, Munford Middle School provides students with enriching experiences that foster curiosity, innovation, and critical thinking—preparing them for whatever comes next in their educational and career journeys.

Oxford Middle School and Honda recently hosted the inaugural "All Girls Auto Know" program, an exciting STEM experience for 8th-grade girls. Held on October 8 and 10 in the school library, the event saw every 8th-grade girl—65 to 75 students per day—participate in hands-on activities designed to inspire interest in STEM fields.

The day included an introduction to Honda, trivia on women in science, and a group robotics project where students worked together, each with a designated role, to build and showcase robots capable of tasks like walking and jumping. Honda representatives shared their career journeys, providing insights into STEM career possibilities.

Each participant left with a take-home robot kit, a "Girls Auto Know" t-shirt, and a Honda mini backpack, along with lunch from Chick-fil-A. This impactful event was an inspiring day for Oxford’s students, sparking interest in future STEM opportunities.

Since March 2024, the Honda Workforce Partnership Team has engaged with over 43,000 students across the Southern region, strengthening the future of modern manufacturing. Honda continues to support 14 locations in Regions 2 and 4 and is partnering with CREATE to develop an industrial robotics program. As part of their commitment, Honda hosted Manufacturing Day across all locations in October, providing over 500 middle and high school students in Alabama and Georgia with valuable tours, guest speakers, and hands-on learning experiences.

Gadsden State has recently expanded work-based learning opportunities in Calhoun County, enhancing career pathways for students. The college is upgrading facilities at the Ayers Campus and maximizing its role as a training provider for dual enrollment programs in partnership with CREATE and Oxford City Schools. This expansion aims to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for successful careers in various fields.

The Chief Science Officer (CSO) program empowers students to lead in STEM. Students in grades 6-12 serve as ambassadors for their state, receiving leadership training, promoting STEM opportunities at their schools and in their communities, and collaborating to share ideas and feedback with regional STEM leaders. The program aims to inspire students, raise STEM awareness in the community, and encourage young people to pursue STEM education and careers.

For more information visit https://stemcouncil.alabama.gov/stem-cso or contact suzy.gatewood@alabamastemcouncil.org

Any STEM teachers, librarians, or schools in Region 6 looking to get started or continue learning about innovative teaching strategies and tools are invited to attend this FREE professional development day on January 27, 2025. It's a great opportunity to learn new approaches, explore technology integration, and collaborate with other educators. For more information, contact Andrea Taylor at ataylor@atim.us.

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!