Written by: Avery Tucker/The University of Alabama
A community thrives when people strive to make a difference with the skills and knowledge they possess, and in Tuscaloosa, Ala., The University of Alabama & Shelton State Community College Battery Workforce Challenge team is doing just that. The team has goals to engage wand impact the university and local Tuscaloosa community by providing STEM activities in local elementary schools.
The UA & Shelton State BattChallenge operations team members are in the planning stages of a community engagement program impacting local underprivileged elementary schools. The program will consist of hands-on STEM activities for the students to learn general information regarding STEM and batteries.
Maya Scott, a UA & Shelton State BattChallenge operations team member and a UA student majoring in environmental sciences, stressed the motivation behind this project is the impact the it will have on each academic institution and the broader community.
“We hope that by getting out in the community we can provide a unique educational experience for youth in these schools,” Scott said.
“Along with the activities we will be hosting, we plan to share our personal experiences within our majors and this challenge to hopefully inspire the next generation of students.”
Scott said for younger age groups, the UA’ & Shelton State BattChallenge team wants to provide STEM-focused coloring sheets highlighting EVs and batteries with a short, corresponding lesson. For the older age groups, the crew will curate hands-on activities such as building a lemon battery and teach a quick corresponding lesson.
One area of increased focus within educational institutions in the past few years is STEM-based learning. Students have been exposed to the areas of STEM at early ages of education, trickling down from higher education to K-12 schools. Starting this education at an early age opens doors for students to explore the field of STEM, leading to the future pursuit of STEM majors and occupations. This is what drives the UA & Shelton State BattChallenge team to impact its community and educate the local youth in STEM.
Through hosting activities and sharing personal stories, the UA & Shelton State BattChallenge community engagement program will teach the Tuscaloosa community and youth about the importance of STEM knowledge, inspiring the next generation of students and innovators.
