Schools in East Alabama will join the growing number of schools across the state who benefit from the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). Superintendent of Education Joe Morton, along with Auburn University President Ed Richardson, announced the new state appropriation of $831,000 to fund the expansion of AMSTI serving eligible schools in East Alabama through the newly established site at Auburn University.

"Students retain more knowledge when they are involved in hands-on learning experiences," said Dr. Morton. "The addition of this AMSTI site at Auburn University will engage more students with this valuable and unique program that helps develop critical thinking skills."

AMSTI is the state Department of Education's initiative designed to improve math and science teaching and learning statewide. Gov. Bob Riley and the Alabama Legislature provided AMSTI funding of $15 million in 2006 and $22 million for fiscal year 2007.

According to the Institute for Communication and Information Research at The University of Alabama, schools served by AMSTI have shown significant improvements in student achievement measured by the Stanford Achievement Test, the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test, and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.

"Auburn University welcomes the opportunity to participate in the AMSTI program," said Dr. Richardson. "I commend Dr. Morton and the State School Board for expanding this research-based program that has shown measurable results. Improved skills in mathematics, science, and technology are critical to Alabama's economic growth and will lead to continued improvements in college and university academic programs."

K-12 public school teachers and administrators who participate in AMSTI attend intensive training sessions. AMSTI provides three services: professional development, equipment and materials, and on-site support. Schools become official AMSTI schools by enrolling all of their math and science teachers and administrators in two-week Summer Institutes for two summers. At the Summer Institutes, teachers receive subject-specific professional development that is applicable to their classroom. Instruction is provided at the Summer Institutes by "master" teachers who have been certified as AMSTI trainers after successfully completing AMSTI trainer workshops.

AMSTI sites provide AMSTI schoolteachers with essentially all of the equipment, supplies, and resources needed to effectively engage students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Examples of equipment include lab ware, chemicals, global positioning devices, and plants with growth containers. The resources arrive packaged in "kits" ready for immediate use. Each kit is customized for the specific activities that will be taught. Once students complete the activities from a kit, it is returned to a materials center where it is refurbished to "like new" condition. Then, another kit targeting the next classroom activity is delivered to the teacher and the newly refurbished kit is sent to another teacher.

AMSTI at Auburn University will serve the following East Alabama school systems:

Auburn University joins eight other AMSTI sites including: Jacksonville State University, The University of Alabama and The University of West Alabama; The University of Alabama in Huntsville, The University of North Alabama, University of Montevallo, University of South Alabama, Troy University, and Wallace Community College-Selma and Alabama State University.

Currently, more than 111,000 students and approximately 200 public schools are served by AMSTI statewide. The Auburn University site will potentially serve an additional 13 schools in East Alabama.