CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem

The CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem proudly hosted SparkSTEM Discovery Day on July 21, bringing students and families together for a powerful day of hands-on STEM learning, career exploration, and community connection. Held at the CREATE Technology and Innovation Center in Oxford, Alabama, the event was designed to spark curiosity and help families see the exciting future of STEM in their own backyard.

Students and parents rotated through a variety of engaging STEM stations and live demonstrations, each one highlighting real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math. The day featured professionals and partners from across the region, including Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Alabama Power, Littleton Electric, Birds Inc., Tyler Union Group, the Oxford Police Department, Regional Medical Center (RMC), Snead State Community College, and Oxford City Schools.

From robotics and automotive design to healthcare and public safety technologies, participants experienced how STEM careers shape the world around us. Parents joined in the learning right alongside their students—asking questions, exploring tools and technologies, and connecting with local professionals eager to share their expertise.

The CREATE team also extends a heartfelt thank-you to Oxford City Schools Child Nutrition for providing a fresh, energizing lunch that helped keep everyone fueled for a full day of exploration.

The success of SparkSTEM Discovery Day highlights the power of collaboration between schools, families, and industry. By creating shared learning experiences and showcasing local talent and innovation, the event continues the mission of the CREATE STEM Learning Ecosystem: to build strong, sustainable connections between education and the workforce that prepare students for bright, STEM-filled futures.

No Changes to Our Branding or Ongoing Work

We want to inform you of a statewide update that impacts how regional STEM efforts are structured across Alabama. As part of the new Alabama STEM Council law and FY2026 budget requirements, the state is transitioning from the regional ecosystem model to a new structure based on STEM Hubs and STEM Networks.

As a result, all regional ecosystems, including ours, are now officially being renamed as STEM Networks. Each STEM Network will align with one of seven statewide Workforce Region STEM Hubs, which will serve as central coordination points for STEM initiatives across the state.

What does this mean for us?

• We will now be referred to as a STEM Network instead of an ecosystem.

• There will be no changes to our local branding, leadership, or the important work we’re doing.

• We will continue to serve our region as we have, collaborating with partners and supporting STEM education and workforce readiness.

This shift is about alignment and coordination. In the coming months, we’ll connect with our assigned STEM Hub to explore ways we can strengthen our work and expand opportunities through this new statewide model.

Thank you for being a vital part of our STEM community. We’ll keep you informed as we learn more, and we look forward to continuing this work—now as a proud STEM Network!

This summer, Gadsden State Workforce Development proudly hosted its first-ever Future Cardinal Fabricators Camp, giving young innovators a hands-on introduction to the world of engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Throughout the camp, students learned to design an air motor in Fusion 360, program CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), and machine the parts they programmed. The camp wrapped up with exciting competitions to see who built the fastest air motor and who created the most impressive LEGO ring!

Over the course of the camp, participants designed two LEGO rings, a donut with icing, the Saturn V rocket, a finger surfboard, a carabiner, and even began creating original custom designs.

We can’t wait to see what these future fabricators build next!

Oxford City Schools recently hosted the 2025 Tech & Tinker Summer STEM Camp, providing rising 5th through 8th graders with four days of hands-on learning focused on creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

Held at the CREATE Technology & Innovation Center, the camp offered engaging experiences in science, engineering, and computer science. Each day focused on a new STEM theme and challenged students to work collaboratively using the Engineering Design Process.

Camp highlights included:

• Powering Innovation – building light-up name badges and greeting cards using circuits

• Code for a Cause – programming Micro:bits to create real-world tech solutions

• Design & 3D Printing – creating custom ScooterBot upgrades using Tinkercad

• Robotics & Automation – coding Dobot robotic arms to simulate product delivery tasks

Students gained early exposure to cutting-edge tools like zSpace virtual reality, Micro:bits, Robo 3D printers, and Dobot robotic arms, while building technical skills and confidence in STEM.

Tech & Tinker STEM Camp is one of many ways Oxford City Schools is preparing future-ready learners through meaningful, hands-on STEM opportunities.

This summer, ten STEM educators took part in the Alabama STEM Council’s 2025 STEM Externship Program, hosted by the Calhoun County Economic Development Council. The three-day experience immersed teachers in local industries to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and real-world careers.

Educators began the week at CREATE, a regional workforce and innovation center, where they explored career readiness initiatives and participated in a panel with young professionals from companies like Doncasters, New Flyer, and Associated Metalcast. They toured the Anniston Army Depot to see defense manufacturing and logistics in action.

Additional site visits included M&H Valve, where educators learned about smart water technologies; Tyler Union’s large-diameter facility featuring 3D sand printing; and Aquality Farms’ hydroponic systems. AIDT led a workforce training session at the Anniston Regional Training Center.

The program concluded with a tour of Carmin Industries and an Industry Leader Panel at the Calhoun County Chamber, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between schools and local employers. The externship provided educators with valuable insights and examples to bring back to their students, helping align STEM instruction with high-demand career pathways.

More than 100 K–12 educators and administrators gathered for the Classroom to Career (C2C) Educator and Industry Summit, a two-day professional learning experience designed to bridge education and industry. Held at the Jacksonville State University Regional Inservice Center and multiple local industry sites, the summit focused on aligning classroom instruction with workforce needs to better prepare students for future careers.

Day 1 began at the CREATE Center in Oxford with opening sessions led by regional leaders in education and workforce development, including Lori Denton (CREATE), Dr. Nilufer Guler (JSU), Valerie Curtis (JSU-RIC), and Nancy Beggs (University of Alabama). Educators then toured one of four industry partners—Bridgewater, Honda, Kronospan, or New Flyer—to see firsthand how STEM, soft skills, and innovation are used in today’s workplaces.

Day 2 at the JSU Regional Inservice Center included small-group debriefs, a full-group reflection, and a cross-industry panel featuring professionals from Honda, New Flyer, Auto Custom Carpets, Saga Construction, East AL Works, and others. Panelists discussed workforce trends, talent development, and how educators can build stronger classroom-to-career connections.

In the afternoon, teachers participated in targeted breakout sessions by grade band. Sessions included:

• Career Exploration for K–6 Classrooms

• AI in Education for Grades 6–12

• Greenpower USA STEM Racing for Grades 4–12

• Learning Blade (Grades 5–9)

• New Flyer LEGO Assembly Line Simulation (Grades 3–6)

• Challenger Center Virtual Space Mission: Destination Moon

Each session offered hands-on strategies, partnerships, and resources to support career-connected learning across subjects and grade levels. It is safe to say the C2C Summit successfully advanced its mission: helping educators become workforce-connected so students can be workforce-ready.

Calling all STEM and gifted educators! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow with fellow teachers across the region. Join the Jax State ATIM for a Professional Learning Group (PLG) designed just for you. This group will meet four times throughout the 2025–2026 school year with engaging trainings and special guest sessions.

🗓 Meeting Dates:

• Sept. 15, 2025 - Camp Lee

• Dec. 10, 2025 - Challenger Space Center

• Feb. 20, 2026 - TBD

• Apr. 2, 2026 - TBD

• 🕗 8:00 AM–3:00 PM | 6 Hours PD per session
  📍Register on PSPL using code 524905

Questions? Contact Amanda Taylor at ataylor@atim.us or 256-201-9783.

It is that time again! Robotics Grant FY2026 season is here! Please visit amsti.org/robotics for all the information!

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!