HISTORY
In May 1994 the Alabama
Legislature appropriated 1.97 million dollars to establish an
enhancement program for high school science teachers. The appropriation
funded six Science in Motion sites across the state, each having
two fully equipped vans and two master-level science teachers.
Using the vans, these master-level teachers were to deliver
high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment and all needed lab supplies
to participating high school teachers and students.
In 1995, five additional sites in the state were added, each with one van. In 1996 a second van was added at these five sites. In 2005, all sites were fully funded. The Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM) program is now comprised of 11 sites, each with three vans, equipment for all three disciplines, and three Education Specialists.
In 2006, ASIM programs statewide were moved under the umbrella of the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).
THE
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ASIM PROGRAM
The University of Alabama
is one of the six original program sites; it has a chemistry van, a biology van, and a physics van available to serve high school teachers in the
twelve school systems in its region. Intensive training for all
participating teachers, a required component of the program, has
been conducted every year since 1994. Teachers attend 10 days
of Level I training and an additional 10 days of Level II training.
Level III teachers are offered additional training
during each academic year, which often includes going
into the classrooms of participating teachers to observe specific
science content lessons, labs, and/or designated science instructional
strategies. Grant funds provide stipends or substitute pay when teachers attend training.
The Science in Motion vans transport equipment and labs to participating
teachers at least once a month. The van equipment, as well as
the Education Specialists, serve as resources to the classroom
teachers and their students. The Education Specialists often
co-teach classes and serve as mentors/coaches to teacher participants.
GOVERNANCE
The
University of Alabama ASIM Program operates
under guidelines established by the Alabama State Department of
Education in a Memorandum of Agreement. In addition, there is
a Steering Committee comprised of: Dean of the College of Education,
Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Director of
the In-Service Center, Chair of the Biology Department, Chair
of the Chemistry Department, Chair of the Physics Department, a faculty member from the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics Departments, three
ASIM Education Specialists, and three
participating high school teachers (one biology, one chemistry, and one physics).
