AMSTI: helping create a better understanding of math and science

The mission of the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) is to improve math and science teaching in Alabama so all students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for success in postsecondary studies and in the workforce.  To accomplish this, AMSTI was designed by a Blue-Ribbon committee comprised of K - 12 educators, higher education representatives, and business leaders.  The committee pursued every step possible to design the most effective statewide initiative for improving math and science teaching.  AMSTI is research-based and incorporates best practices for math and science teaching. 

The initiative provides three basic services:  professional development, equipment and materials, and on-site support.  Schools become official AMSTI Schools by sending their math and science teachers, and administrators to a two week Summer Institute for two summers.  At the Summer Institutes teachers receive grade and subject specific professional development that is highly applicable to their own classrooms.  Instruction is delivered at the Summer Institutes by master teachers who have been certified as AMSTI trainers after successfully completing AMSTI trainer workshops.

AMSTI sites provide AMSTI school teachers with essentially all of the equipment, supplies, and resources needed to effectively engage students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning.  Examples of equipment include labware, chemicals, global positioning devices, plants with growth containers, and many other items.  The resources arrive packaged in "kits" ready for immediate use.  Each kit is customized for the specific activities that will be taught.   

AMSTI sites also provide extensive, on-site support and mentoring.  Once teachers complete the Summer Institute, math and science specialists from the site regularly visit the schools where they serve as mentors, helping teachers implement what was learned during the summer.  Such support is vital for teachers to become comfortable and skilled at inquiry-based, hands-on learning.

Each region of the state must have an AMSTI site to support schools wihtin the region.  The AMSTI site conducts the Summer Institutes for teachers within the region.  The site also operates a materials center that refurbishes kits and rotates them among teachers.  In addition, it provides the math and science specialists that deliver on-site mentoring. Troy University serves as the site for Enterprise City Schools.

Evaluation results have indicated AMSTI is highly successful in improving student achievement.  Presently, there are three AMSTI Schools in Enterprise:  Harrand Creek Elementary, Pinedale Elementary and Coppinville Jr. High School.