TROY – About 300 math and science teachers from southeast Alabama will learn more about their professions and how to better prepare for the classroom when they converge on Troy July 10 – 21 for Troy University’s AMSTI Summer Institute.

The Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, AMSTI, an Alabama Department of Education initiative designed to improve math and science teaching statewide, was established by a blue ribbon committee composed of K-12 educators, higher education representatives and business leaders. The research-based initiative provides three basic services: professional development, equipment and materials, and on-site support.

Teachers in the University’s in-service region will receive extensive math, science, and technology training during the summer, as well as all the needed equipment and materials. Math and science specialists from TROY are available throughout the school year to mentor teachers in implementing the newly learned, research-proven methods, according to Nadine Scarborough, the project’s director.

“This is our first Summer Institute at TROY and we’re looking forward to serving the AMSTI schools in our region,” she said.

Scarborough said that along with the training K-12 teachers will receive, TROY faculty members from Troy, Dothan, Phoenix City, Ft. Benning, and Montgomery Campuses will also participate in the Summer Institute and incorporate the AMSTI method into their teacher education courses.

“It is especially beneficial for the collaboration among University science, technology, education and math faculty and K-12 teachers to work cooperatively in effectively preparing pre-service teachers in this research proven methodology,” Scarborough said.

The opening ceremony for the Summer Institute begins at 8 a.m. July 10 in the cafeteria of Troy Elementary School. Dr. Joe Morton, state superintendent of education, State School Board Member Betty Peters, TROY Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and Gov. Bob Riley are expected to address the educators as well as State AMSTI Director Steve Ricks, TROY Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ed Roach and Dr. Lance Tatum, interim dean of education at the University, are also expected to provide remarks.

The institute will run daily from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. through July 21.

After the institute, teachers will receive the resource materials necessary to fully implement the AMSTI program in their classrooms.

As an AMSTI site, Troy University received a $1.2 million grant from the State Department of Education to implement the program in an 11-county service area in southeast Alabama. Those counties include Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike. The University also directs the Alabama Science in Motion Program, which is the grades 9-12 component of AMSTI. ASIM conducts summer training for teachers that are teaching biology and chemistry. With the addition of the physics discipline this year, physics teachers will also receive training.

Schools from TROY’s regional in-service district that were selected to become AMSTI schools this year are: Houston County High School, Red Level High School, Greenville Middle School, Andalusia Middle School, Luverne High School, Pleasant Home School, Goshen Elementary School and Troy Elementary School.

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