UA Birmingham Chapter – Our Events
Events
Future
On Friday March 5th, 2010 UAB SEA is co-hosting a seminar, as part of our ongoing Speaker Series, featuring Dr. Stacie Propst, Vice President of Science Policy and Outreach for Research!America. Research!America is a national science policy advocacy group which focuses on making "research to improve health a higher national priority" by advocating for increased medical research funding at the federal level. Ms. Propst will spend the first half of her presentation discussing her career path and the remaining time on the policy mission of Research!America. The seminar will begin at 11 am in SHEL 105. Lunch will be served following the seminar.
Later in the semester, our chapter is planning on inviting Dr. Tim Townes, of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics together with Mr. Porter Banister from the Department of Government Relations for the UA system to speak at a second seminar. We expect that they will convey the importance of how scientists can influence and educate the "lay people" around them by speaking about science awareness and the current events/issues that are being presented by the media.
Current
UAB's chapter of SEA, together with the Ujima Math & Science Fun Network, is currently engaged in a Science Assistance Outreach Project at Brown Elementary School in Birmingham. This project involves helping the 5th graders at this school during a "hands on" scientific experiment having to do with various fields of science. These experiments are held after school dismisses (from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm) on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact: Wes Edmonds.
Past
At 3:30pm on Tuesday October 20th, 2009 in the Bevill Biomedical Research Building room 170 (BBRB 170) UAB's SEA chapter hosted a seminar given by Senator Vivian Figures from the Alabama state senate. We invited all interested students (both undergraduate and graduate), post-doctoral fellows, faculty, staff, and administration to attend. Senator Figures has received recognitions for dedicated service to the community at large by numerous organizations, agencies and professional groups. She is involved in various committees in the senate including: Chairwoman of the senate Education Committee, Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for License Plates, and the Mobile Senate Local Delegation. Her presentation was focused on what bills are currently being discussed in the state legislature and how we, as students, can become more involved in educating those around us as well as our state legislators.
For more information, please contact: Wes Edmonds.
Press Release for Ujima 5th Grade Assistance Project:
"Brown Elementary School Adopted for Math & Science Success
Groups collaborates to impact student achievement in math and science
Birmingham, Alabama - The Ujima Math & Science Fun Initiative (Ujima) and the UAB Chapter of Scientist and Engineers for America (UAB SEA) have collaborated to adopt the 5th grade class of Charles A. Brown Elementary School of Birmingham, Alabama. The groups will partner with other organizations to bring unique hands-on learning opportunities that supplement the 5th grade math and science curriculum. Beginning in October, Brown 5th graders will have the opportunity to participate in an after school Math Lab and Science Lab that offers incorporates homework help and hands-on learning activities aligned with the Alabama Course of Study for 5th Grade math/science. In addition, the group will also work closely with teachers to coordinate classroom science presentations/demonstrations.
The Ujima Math & Science Initiative began in 2002 as a community education initiative targeting at-risk youth in rural and urban communities in Alabama. The non-profit organization consists of a network of professionals who use math and/or science in their work including: Physical Sciences and Engineering, Information Sciences/IT, Health Sciences, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities. The group has a solid track-record of planning quality educational programs and workshops including its successful Ujima Math & Science Fun Day. Now in its 8th year, the program has served thousands of students and parents, and is held each July at the Five Points West Library in Birmingham. The group is a 2006 recipient of a Library Champion Award from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. Successful program have also been held in the rural BlackBelt cities of Selma and Uniontown, Alabama.
Dr. Marci Wright, an officer with UAB SEA, said the chapter is excited to partner with Ujima in the "Adopt-A-School" campaign. "We at UAB SEA believe that inquiry-based, student-centered science education targeting potential scientists who are under-represented in the science and engineering pipeline is an effective and preferred pedagogical tool to encourage these students to consider a career in science. The Ujima "Adopt-A-School" effort synergizes with the national interest to strengthen the pipeline. We at UAB SEA look forward to watching Brown Elementary students benefit from the "Adopt-A-School" program," Wright said. Both partners in this effort welcome and encourage other professional organizations to join forces with them in this Adopt-A-School effort.
The adoption of Brown Elementary School is a pilot attempt to expand the program into the schools. "We are very pleased that Brown Elementary was chosen," said April M. Williams, School Board President and Representative for District 8. "It is very encouraging when community partners step forward and fill needs in local schools. With decrease funding and a challenging economy, we are faced with doing more with less. Partners like Ujima make it possible to provide quality instruction, valuable resources and human capital to enhance student achievement. We all win!" said Williams.
"Our children need all of the resources that they can get right now. We have been trying to get our afterschool tutoring program off the ground but the budget cuts have hit everybody hard. I've been praying for something like this," said Brown's principal, Robbie Sullivan. The school was selected based on its 2008-2009 AYP scores in math and reading. "Both the school administrators and the math and science teachers have been welcoming as we work together to lay the groundwork for success of this effort," says Deidre Ali with the Ujima Initiative. "State cutbacks are a double blow to school's like Brown Elementary, who are charged with educating some of our community's most underserved students. We wanted to bring these resources to a school that demonstrated a strong need," Ali said.
The educational services provided through the school's adoption are being offered at no cost to the school or parents. The group's effort will be sustained through sponsorships, fundraisers, community grants, and private philanthropic donations. "We welcome individuals, groups or businesses who would like to support our effort to join us in making a difference. Our organization was founded on the principle of Ujima, which is Swahili for 'collective work and responsibility'. To prepare all children for a bright future, we realize that it really does take a village," Ali said. For those interested in supporting this effort, key needs include:
• Program Sponsors
• Math Lab Tutors - Needed twice weekly 4-6 p.m
• Science Lab Facilitators - Needed once monthly (3rd Wed, 3-6 p.m)
• Math, Science, Engineering Professionals- who may be available for short classroom Q&A or presentations
More information can be found online at: www.mathsciencefun.ning.com. Learn more about UAB SEA online: http://sharp.sefora.org/. Organizations or individuals interested in supporting this Adopt-A-School effort, should call 913-8317."
