Six Huntsville City Schools educators recently spent a week immersed in hands-on STEM learning as participants in the Alabama Space Academy for Educators at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Selected through a competitive application process, these teachers dedicated part of their summer to this unique professional learning experience, demonstrating their commitment to providing exceptional STEM instruction for Huntsville City Schools students.
Participants Included:
Delonda Baskin – Rolling Hills Elementary School
Erica Coates – Morris Elementary School
Sarah Hammett – Whitesburg Elementary School
Dorothy Lancaster – Academy for Academics & Arts
Emma Maner – Huntsville High School
Ashley Smith – Providence Elementary School
Funded by the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama Space Academy for Educators provides educators with an immersive week of astronaut-inspired professional learning at no cost. Through hands-on STEM investigations, engineering challenges, and astronaut training simulations, participants explored rocketry, astronomy, the International Space Station, NASA's Artemis program, and future missions to the Moon and Mars while collaborating with educators from across Alabama. They also learned from astronauts and aerospace professionals whose firsthand experiences brought STEM careers to life.
The experience reinforced that STEM is about much more than science; it is about developing the collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and perseverance students need for future success. Morris Elementary teacher Erica Coates shared that the Mission Control simulation demonstrated how teamwork and problem-solving are essential both in space exploration and in the classroom. Academy for Academics & Arts library media specialist Dorothy Lancaster said the collaborative engineering challenges showed how effective communication and a shared purpose enable teams to accomplish extraordinary goals. Sarah Hammett of Whitesburg Elementary said hearing from professionals involved in the Artemis program and meteorologist James Spann reminded her that educators have the power to ignite students' passions and inspire future STEM careers.
"Our teachers continually seek opportunities to grow professionally because they understand that great teaching begins with lifelong learning," said Dr. Rachel Evans, STEM Coordinator for Huntsville City Schools. "The Alabama Space Academy for Educators provides authentic STEM experiences that teachers can immediately bring back to their classrooms, inspiring the next generation of innovators, engineers, scientists, and explorers."
Huntsville City Schools is grateful to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center for securing legislative funding to make this opportunity possible. We also applaud these outstanding educators for investing their summer in professional learning that will positively impact students across our district.
Congratulations to these six educators on representing Huntsville City Schools and bringing the excitement of space exploration back to our classrooms!
