Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University (Jax State) and its Regional Inservice Center (RIC) celebrated the grand opening of a new model STEM lab on Thursday morning, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several distinguished guests. The state-of-the-art lab is designed to inspire and equip educators with the tools and knowledge needed to foster curiosity and creativity in the classroom.
The STEM lab is the result of a collaborative partnership between Alabama Technology in Motion and the Jax State RIC, with the shared goal of creating an engaging environment where teachers can interact directly with cutting-edge technology and robotics. This hands-on experience aims to provide educators with exposure to advanced tools that many may not have encountered before, ultimately enhancing their teaching methods.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony also launched the Jax State RIC’s Technology Circus, a professional development event that immerses educators in the latest technological advancements. Attendees were given the opportunity to explore the new STEM lab and participate in various activities designed to help them integrate innovative technology into their classrooms.
Valerie Curtis, Director of the Jax State RIC, emphasized the importance of the lab in preparing educators and their students for the future. “By becoming comfortable and proficient with these tools and strategies, educators can take newfound confidence and innovative ideas back to their classrooms, facilitating the same curiosity and problem-solving skills in their students through the application of STEM principles,” Curtis said. “Ultimately, our goal is to help students become career-ready by equipping them with essential skills in computer science, computational thinking, and robotics, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.”
Several notable guests were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Dean Kimberly Gaiters-White of the College of Education and Professional Studies, Dr. Staci Stone, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Dr. Cynthia McCarty, a Jax State Professor of Economics and Chair of the Alabama STEM Council Executive Committee, Sue Ellen Gilliland, Educational Technology Coordinator at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), and Nikkesha Hooks, Administrator of Educational Technology at ALSDE. Also in attendance were William Jones, Special Projects & Innovation at ALSDE, Greg Gilley, the artist who painted the STEM room, along with his daughters, Andrea Taylor, an Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist, and Valerie Curtis, the Jax State Region 6 Inservice Center Director.
The opening of the STEM lab is a significant milestone for Jax State, which was founded in 1883 as a state teachers college and has since grown into a leading regional university in Alabama with a strong commitment to accredited programs. The university is located in the Appalachian foothills, midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, and offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
For more information about Jacksonville State University and its programs, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or email [email protected].
