Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative, (AMSTI), is the Alabama Department of Education’s initiative to improve math and science teaching statewide. In addition to the many innovative tools that AMSTI offers to students in their classes, a new device, SPARK, will have additional activities to help stimulate young minds.
AMSTI is pleased to partner with PASCO scientific to author and to develop activities in the SPARK environment. AMSTI is testing activities in fourth grade, eighth grade, and high school chemistry, using this unique, high-tech device. Students use the SPARK device to conduct experiments like testing conductivity of solutions, determining the pH of a water site near the school, and measuring the speed and distance of a fan car.
Mr. Steve Ricks, AMSTI Director at the Alabama State Department of Education states, “Partnerships like this one with PASCO scientific help keep AMSTI on the cutting edge. By placing such 21st century technology in the hands of our students we are providing them with experiences that will prepare them for college studies and the work force.”
AMSTI believes the best way to prepare students for the workforce is to put technology directly into the learners’ hands. The activities, written through the partnership, build on existing AMSTI content, while implementing best practices for teaching math and science. Such hands-on experiences accelerate the students’ development of 21st century science skills.
The interface of the SPARK is intuitive enough for AMSTI’s fourth graders to use effectively. At the same time, it is versatile and robust enough to perform the most complex labs in AMSTI’s high school chemistry program. Its portable nature allows students to extend science beyond the physical school classroom. Using the device in the field, students can measure and record data in real-time, analyze their measurements and even create comparative graphs. It is through instruments like PASCO’s SPARK device that AMSTI incorporates authentic scientific discovery in the learning of content targeted by state standards.
AMSTI is the largest, most comprehensive and successful math and science initiative in the nation, currently serving half of all schools in Alabama. Its mission is to provide all students in grades K-12 with the knowledge and skills needed for success in the workforce and postsecondary studies. AMSTI provides math and science teachers with four weeks of subject and grade-specific professional development in inquiry-based instruction. Teachers receive all of the equipment/materials needed for their students to perform the activities. In addition, the teachers are supported and mentored by AMSTI specialists that regularly visit them in the classroom.
Currently, over 350,000 students in Alabama receive instruction by AMSTI Certified Teachers every school day, twice a day: once in math and once in science. AMSTI has proven success, most notably in that AMSTI schools outperform matched non-AMSTI schools on every test given by the Alabama Department of Education. In addition, AMSTI deepens teacher content knowledge in math and science, as well as improves student attendance and on-task behavior. As a result of AMSTI practices, many students indicate that math and science have become their favorite subjects.
For more information concerning AMSTI, please visit the AMSTI website at www.amsti.org.