AMSTI, the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative of the State Board of Education, aims to improve math and science teaching in Alabama so all students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for success in postsecondary studies and in the workforce. To accomplish this, AMSTI provides teachers with ongoing, grade and subject level professional development and the equipment and materials needed to teach math and science using hands-on, activity-based instruction at no cost to the school. AMSTI Sites provide initial training and support teachers in the classroom while AMSTI Affiliates provide additional opportunities for professional development.

As of Summer 2008, there are 17 AMSTI Affiliates in the entire state; the original program was piloted in Huntsville in 2002. Few offer the comprehensive selection and intensive approach to teacher training that the Dauphin Island Sea Lab - Discovery Hall Program puts forward in the area of marine science. This summer, DISL is offering a number of professional development opportunities for teachers including workshops titled Beaches, Birds and Barrier Islands, Marine Application of Science and Technology, Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration, Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence: Central Gulf of Mexico and two new workshops, The Delta and Sharks and Rays.

Students at AMSTI schools have shown consistent gains over students at non-AMSTI schools in disciplines tested by the Sanford 10 and Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test in both elementary and middle school grades. While dependent on often-variable state education funding, Alabama Governor Bob Riley hopes to have all schools in Alabama in the program by 2011.

Teachers examine the contents of a trawl aboard the A.E. Verrill.

To become an AMSTI School, teachers complete two years of training at the training sites during the summer and work with AMSTI specialists in their classrooms during the year. After this initial training, teachers complete a professional development plan that includes additional training at AMSTI Affiliate sites. There are more than 400 schools and approximately 8500 teachers currently involved with AMSTI.

For more information on these opportunities, go to www.disl.org and select K-12 & Teacher Education.

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