Jax State’s Regional Inservice Center Unveils State-of-the-Art Model STEM Lab

07/26/2024

STEM Ribbon Cutting

Jacksonville State University (Jax State) and its Regional Inservice Center (RIC) officially opened a new model STEM lab on Thursday morning, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several dignitaries.

The lab is the culmination of a visionary partnership between Alabama Technology in Motion and the Jax State RIC. The goal was to create an inspiring environment that sparks curiosity and creativity for teachers who come to the Inservice Center for training.

Designed to provide educators with direct engagement with cutting-edge robots and technology, the lab offers hands-on experiences that many teachers may not have encountered before.

The ribbon-cutting event also kicked off the Jax State RIC’s Technology Circus, an immersive professional development day designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to embrace innovative technology and foster creativity in the classroom. As part of the Technology Circus, local educators were offered a first-hand look at the new STEM lab.

“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,” said Valerie Curtis, Jax State RIC Director. “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 attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including:

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by several notable guests, including:

  • Dean Kimberly Gaiters-White, College of Education and Professional Studies
  • Dr. Staci Stone, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Cynthia McCarty, Jax State Professor of Economics & current Chair of the Alabama STEM Council Executive Committee
  • Sue Ellen Gilliland, ALSDE Educational Technology Coordinator
  • Nikkesha Hooks, Administrator, Educational Technology, ALSDE
  • William Jones, Special Projects & Innovation, ALSDE
  • Greg Gilley, artist and painter of the STEM room, and his daughters
  • Andrea Taylor, Host and Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist
  • Valerie Curtis, Host and Jax State Region 6 Inservice Center Director

About Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate level. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1 or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.