Key Programs

Community Served: We target communities in central, eastern Alabama. Specifically, we will serve the eastern portion of Alabama Workforce Development Region 5, including communities in Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lee, Macon, Russell and Bullock counties.

Learners Served: 20,000 K-12 students and teachers; early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, post-secondary, and adult learners.

Types of Learner Programs: Curriculum, In-school programs, Afterschool programs, Summer school programs, Internships, Work-based learning programs, Career & Technical Education (CTE), Pre-College STEM programs, Stackable credentials, Technical training & certification, Workforce skills & development, Apprentice programs, Degree programs, Coaching or Mentoring Programs.

Types of Educator Programs: Professional Development, Training, Online courses, Resources (equipment, kits, etc.), Virtual Learning Communities, Curriculum Support and Resources, Coaching or Mentoring Programs, Externships, Industry-Education Partnerships, Research Experiences, Conference/Networking Opportunities, Technology Integration Support.

KEY INITIATIVES
East Alabama STEM Ecosystem is focused on increasing the visibility and collaboration for informal STEM programs and initiatives through the collection and distribution of event information. The Ecosystem has developed a survey to collect this data to distribute widely to the region: https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8HbiZcyxKB10ZkW

Science Olympiad Regional and State Competitions
Science Olympiad is an exciting, hands-on competition designed to engage students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Participants work in teams or individually to tackle a variety of challenges that span disciplines like biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

VEX Robotics Regional and Championship Tournaments
The Southeastern Center of Robotics Education, or SCORE, is an Auburn University outreach center designed to more effectively develop and deliver robotics education and tournaments to K-12 students and teachers.

Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF):
ASEF is the official fair for the State of Alabama and is an affiliate fair of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF). At ASEF, the winners of Alabama’s four Regional Fairs compete in either the Senior Division (grades 9-12) or Junior Division (grades 6-8) for an in-person competition.

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Events & Summer Camp
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama offers many informal STEM programming and summer camps with topics such as babysitting, astronomy, sailing, first aid, and nature badges.

QuantHub Data Scholars Program:
High School Data Scholars will focus on career exploration, skill building, and college readiness. Themed skill paths and enrichment activities will compliment Scholar’s internship projects, while professors from Alabama colleges and universities will spark discussion through lectures typically reserved for their undergraduate classes.

Invention Convention Alabama
Invention Convention Worldwide is a K-12 invention education program that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship for life. Invention Convention Alabama is piloting in 2025.

Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics Summer Science Institute:
This summer science, week long, residential program for outstanding rising 11th – 12th grade students interested in science and mathematics is open to students residing in Alabama or Georgia.

Auburn University College of Sciences and Mathematics Science Matter Camps
Science Matters is a STEM Summer Academy for Elementary Students. Weeklong sessions are offered in one-week blocks for 5 weeks during the summer and include topics such as Curious Curators, Storybook STEM, Space Odyssey, and Under the Sea.

Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering
The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering wants to expose students to the world of engineering through our summer programs.

Auburn University Kreher Preserve Summer Camps:
The Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Summer Ecology Camp offers the opportunity to learn through nature in a safe and beautiful environment.

Fresh Air Family – Gross Out Camp:
Fresh Air Family’s Gross Out Camp introduces the best, the worst, and the grossest wonders of nature.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOCUS
The East Alabama STEM Ecosystem is working to identify existing events that are already happening in our workforce development region that support workforce and career services (Career/Job Fairs, Internship programs for K-12 students, Externship programs for K-12 teachers, Business Tours, Professional Development workshops), and implementing a variety of strategies to increase awareness of these programs.

The East Alabama STEM Ecosystem is working to develop a career pathway framework connecting at least 50 students annually to local employers in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and IT. This will be achieved through job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships, with at least 10 partnerships established to ensure alignment between STEM education and workforce needs. Additionally, we will actively pursue funding avenues, such as grants and tax incentives, to provide resources and support for businesses that dedicate their time to partnering with educational institutions.