Alabama Science in Motion
The Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM) Program is a visionary educational program established in 1994 by the Alabama Legislature. Learning science requires an understanding of the scientific method, which is acquired through “hands-on,” “minds-on,” laboratory activity. Equipment, knowledge of the discipline, preparation time, and motivation are essential elements of an effective laboratory program. ASIM is a network of resources designed to provide the equipment, discipline training, and preparation support needed to run an effective secondary science laboratory program.
ASIM also incorporates a strong teacher-training component. Each site provides 15 days of teacher training. Summer training is designed to update and strengthen content knowledge, to familiarize teachers with the use and operation of ASIM equipment, and to model teaching strategies that are successful with a broad range of students. Follow-up workshops during the school year allow teachers to “fine tune” their knowledge and to share suggestions and experiences from the classroom. Initially, the ASIM Specialist might lead the laboratory activity. The ultimate objective is for the teacher to lead the lab, or for the ASIM Specialist and teacher to team-teach the lab.
This program provides the opportunity for instruction and laboratory activities that many students would never experience without ASIM. As a result of these opportunities, Alabama students should be better prepared for postsecondary education or entry into the work force.
Who can utilize ASIM?
ASIM serves public high schools within the Regional In-Service Education Center areas. The equipment and laboratory activities are designed for students taking biology, chemistry, or physics. At present, the University of Montevallo site has biology, chemistry, and physics programs available. This In-Service Education Center serves 5 county school systems (Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Shelby, and Talladega) and 6 city school systems (Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Sylacauga, Talladega, and Vestavia Hills). Secondary biology, chemistry, and physics teachers within these public schools are eligible to participate.
How can I get involved?
Contact the ASIM Project Director, Rebecca Richardson (richardr@montevallo.edu), the ASIM Biology Specialist, Sandee Yancey (syancey@montevallo.edu), the ASIM Chemistry Specialist, Amy Murphy (amurphy@montevallo.edu), or the ASIM Physics Specialist, Chuck Hanke (hankec@montevallo.edu).
How much does it cost?
ASIM services cost the local schools nothing. The State Department of Education and the host ASIM university fund ASIM. Teachers are expected to attend training workshops, which provide valuable information and networking opportunities. Participating teachers are paid a stipend, mileage and per diem for attending ASIM training workshops.
Information on specific programs can be found here under the biology, chemistry, and physics links from the menu.