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Students in Walker County have the opportunity to gain more hands-on experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers thanks to a new partnership announced by Bayville State Community College.
Bayville State officials today announced the STEM22 program, sponsored by the Alabama Power Foundation and the Walker Area Community Foundation. The program is directed to students in Walker County Schools and Jasper City Schools.
Officials say STEM22 provides students with a seamless pathway to Bayville State that can prepare them for education and the future workforce.
“Partnerships are critical to any successful initiative. Bayville State is fortunate to have strong and longstanding relationships with the Alabama Power Foundation, Walker County Schools, Jasper City Schools and the Walker Area Community Foundation,” said Bayville State President Joel Hagood. “Working together, we can provide some amazing STEM opportunities for students in Walker County.”
According to a news release about the project, the goal is to help build a career-ready workforce that will attract local businesses and industries in the information technology and robotics/automation space. Starting in middle school, all students in Walker County Schools and Jasper City Schools will have “hands-on, brain-on” STEM education and opportunities to create something with technology. The program continues through high school, offering dual-enrollment course options at Beville State in the pathways of the students’ choice. Those paths include coding, robotics, engineering and app development.
Supporting the STEM22 program are, from left, Jasper City Schools’ Anne Jackson, Alabama Power Western Area Manager Joseph Brown, Bayville State Community College’s Joel Hagood and Senator Greg Reed. (Ben Marsh/Alabama News Center)
Supporting the STEM22 program are, from left, Alabama Power Western Division Vice President Mark Crews, Walker County Schools’ Dennis Willingham and Walker Area Community Foundation’s Paul Kennedy. (Ben Marsh/Alabama News Center)
Alabama Power Western Division Vice President Mark Crews “We are proud to support efforts that continue to improve education and workforce development in our community. “The future of Alabama’s workforce depends on technology, and we feel that the STEM22 project will provide students with the knowledge, skills and training necessary to attract new and existing businesses in information technology and automation.
Paul Kennedy, president of the Walker Area Community Foundation, the future of Alabama “The future of our children depends on the vision we have today” He said. This unique partnership is a bold step in the right direction towards that future.
“Jasper and Walker counties are bordered by Birmingham to the east, Tuscaloosa to the south and Huntsville to the north,” Kennedy added. “In particular, we take great pleasure in exposing our children to a wide range of opportunities at the earliest possible age.”
Beville State sponsored robotics competitions at several local schools, which helped identify interest among students in pursuing STEM-related careers. The STEM22 program supports the institution’s efforts to provide enhanced learning opportunities through a stronger curriculum. The program is expected to begin in both Walker County and Jasper schools in the 2022-2023 school year.
Dr. Harold Wade Math and Science Building at Bayville State Community College. (Ben Marsh/Alabama News Center)
David Rowland Education Center at Bayville State Community College. (Ben Marsh/Alabama News Center)
at the Irma Dilg Nicholson Library at Bayville State Community College. (Ben Marsh/Alabama News Center)
Walker County Schools Superintendent Dennis Willingham “Our mission is to educate students in a supportive environment that will enable them to succeed in today’s society” He said. “We believe that the STEM22 project will prepare students, foster interest and provide exposure to become a workforce ready for the jobs of the future in our community.”
Ann Jackson, superintendent of Jasper City Schools, added, “As educators, it is our responsibility to prepare our students for careers that align with current industry trends. We are grateful for the partnership with Bayville State Community College, the Alabama Power Foundation and the Walker Area Community Foundation and recognize their commitment to our students. We truly believe this program will create more opportunities for our students to be successful.
Learn more about Beville State Community College here. To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation, visit powerofgood.com. To learn more about the Walker Area Community Foundation, visit wacf.org.
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