2026 Events
Number of Teams: 14
Number of Teams per Washington County Schools Competing

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–6)
Description:
This chart shows team participation in the Washington County Schools V5 Tournament.
Ocean Springs, MS: 5 teams
Bayside Academy: 4 teams
Leroy High School: 2 teams
Washington County High School: 1 team
Faith Academy: 1 team
Camden School of Arts & Technology: 1 team
Key takeaway: Ocean Springs had the highest participation with 5 teams, followed by Bayside Academy with 4. All other schools brought 1–2 teams.
This full-day workshop for new teachers focused on ways to integrate technology into lesson planning and classroom experiences. Particular attention was paid to innovative uses of AI, Google, and Adobe tools in the classroom. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies for using technology to help engage students in learning while adding rigor and opportunities for student collaboration, inquiry, and problem solving.
Number of School Districts Represented– 20
Number of Teachers Trained– 39
Teachers Attended per School District

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School District
Y-axis: Number of Participants (0–9)
Description:
This chart shows district participation in the professional development session.
Birmingham City: 8 participants
Pickens County: 3
Tuscaloosa City: 3
Thomasville City: 3
Washington County: 3
Tuscaloosa County: 2
Bibb County: 2
Lowndes County: 2
Choctaw County: 1
Calhoun County: 1
Monroe County: 1
Greene County: 1
Sumter County: 1
Autauga County: 1
Jefferson County: 1
Butler County: 1
Shelby County: 1
University Charter School: 1
Clarke County: 1
Demopolis City: 1
Key takeaway: Birmingham City had the highest participation (8). Four districts had 3 participants each, three districts had 2 participants each, and the remaining districts had 1 participant each.
In this two-hour Professional Development Session, virtual participants experienced the math routines as a student and then made a plan for implementing the routines within their classroom. All participants received access to a wide variety of grade-level math routines to immediately implement within their classroom. Providing students with hands-on tools to explore their math ideas are essential for success in math. The second session of this workshop included hearing from participants about how their implementation of math routines went and supporting one another in continuing to implement the math routines. Each participant received a set of pattern blocks to explore activities and strategies to strengthen adding and subtracting, fractional concepts, and spatial visualization. Pattern blocks provide hands-on experiences that integrate fractions and numeracy to strengthen students’ understanding of both. Participants experienced K-5 pattern block activities, learned how the activities support specific babyֱn State Standards, and made a plan to support integrating the activities within your specific grade level.
Greene County:4
Tuscaloosa City:4
Jefferson County: 2
Marengo County: 2
Mobile County:1
Lee County: 1
Geneva City: 1
Trussville City:1
Total Number of Participants: 16
Number of Districts Represented: 8
Total Number of Teams: 18
Number of Teams Participating per School

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School Name
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–9)
Description:
This chart presents team participation at the Sumter High School V5 Tournament.
Hartselle: 8 teams
Cleveland High School: 3 teams
Faith Academy: 2 teams
Sylacauga High School: 1 team
Southern Choctaw High School: 1 team
Leroy High School: 1 team
Indian Springs School: 1 team
Oak Mountain: 1 team
Key takeaway: Hartselle had significantly higher participation (8 teams) than all other schools. The remaining schools had between 1 and 3 teams.
Total Number of Teams: 18
Number of Teams Participating per School

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School Name
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–5)
Description:
This chart shows participation by school in the Shelton State IQ Tournament.
Northside Middle School: 4 teams
Walker Elementary School: 3 teams
Homeschool: 3 teams
Eastwood Middle School: 2 teams
Tuscaloosa Magnet School: 2 teams
Hartselle: 2 teams
Camden School of Arts & Technology: 1 team
North River Christian: 1 team
Key takeaway: Northside Middle School had the most teams (4). Two schools had 3 teams each, three schools had 2 teams each, and two schools had 1 team each.
Number of Teams Participating per School, Feb 5 VEX IQ
Number of Teams:19

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School Name
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–7)
Description:
This chart displays team participation in the February 5th Greensboro IQ Tournament.
Brantley: 6 teams
RB Hudson (Selma): 2 teams
Leroy: 2 teams
Camden: 1 team
Francis Marion: 1 team
Robert Brown (Greene): 1 team
Greensboro: 1 team
Sumter: 1 team
Wilson Hall (Clarke): 1 team
Edgewood (Selma): 1 team
Aliceville: 1 team
North River Christian: 1 team
Key takeaway: Brantley had the highest participation with 6 teams. Two schools had 2 teams each, and the remaining schools had 1 team each.
Number of Teams Participating per School, Feb 6 VEX V5
Number of Teams:19

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School Name
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–5)
Description:
This bar chart shows the number of teams participating in the February 6th Greensboro VEX V5 Tournament by school.
Washington County: 4 teams
Central High School: 2 teams
Hale County: 2 teams
Jackson High School: 2 teams
Dallas County: 2 teams
Paul W. Bryant: 1 team
Northridge: 1 team
Tallassee High School: 1 team
Islamic Academy: 1 team
Southern Choctaw: 1 team
Spain Park High School: 1 team
Sumter Central High School: 1 team
Key takeaway: Washington County brought the highest number of teams (4). Four additional schools brought 2 teams each, and the remaining schools brought 1 team each.
The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute spearheaded the Elementary Science Olympiad for the second consecutive year. This year’s event included 80 students representing four school districts and six teams. Participating teams included:
The King’s Co-Op — 1 team
Robert C. Hatch Elementary School — 2 teams
Francis Marion School — 2 teams
Livingston Junior High School — 2 teams
Over 60 teachers representing more than 25 school districts participated in this two-day professional development session, held at the University of babyֱ (Day 1) and the babyֱ (Day 2).
Professional development sessions were led by a variety of education and STEM organizations, including Rocket Drones, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, EdFarm, Stiix, Kai XR, Learning Blade, Eduvero, QuantHub, Goblins, the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), MathNation, LEGO Education, Hand2Mind, and Central Creativity.
2025 Events
In partnership with New Era Superintendents and QoreInsights, the Black Belt STEM Education Institute successfully hosted the babyֱ Black Belt Superintendents: Rising Together & Leading Forward event in Montgomery, babyֱ. This was a collective of forward-thinking superintendents, educators, and leaders coming together to drive meaningful change, exchange innovative strategies, and strengthen the future of education in babyֱ’s Black Belt region. From data-driven decision-making to transformative leadership approaches, the event fostered collaboration and set the stage for sustainable improvements in student outcomes and community impact.
This professional development session featured multiple providers, including , , , , , , , , , and the . Plasma Games engages students through interactive, game-based learning that enhances science understanding and improves test scores. See your students succeed using Nearpod’s award‑winning interactive instructional delivery, standards-aligned platform. Ed Farm is the digital education partner for communities, working with K-12 school districts to develop dynamic digital educators and power student learning with technology to help provide equal access to information needed to fill or create the jobs of the future. STIIX offers affordable STEM experiences for teachers and high quality STEM kits, while Kai XR brings immersive HQIM lessons to elementary schools in subjects like math and science. Learning Blade introduces students to STEM careers through problem-based learning, and QoreInsights offers professional learning to drive student academic growth and well-being. QuantHub delivers digital literacy and data fluency training via microlearning. This opportunity enhanced teaching practices and brought meaningful experiences to the classroom.
Science Olympiad is a nationwide competition. babyֱ competed in 12 events that included earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, math, and engineering. Science Olympiad is designed to increase a student’s interest in STEM fields and provide recognition for outstanding achievement in team events. There were a total of 70 students, 7 teams, and 4 schools represented, including University Charter School and Livingston Jr. High School out of Sumter County, and Robert C. Hatch and Francis Marion Schools out of Perry County.
Aviation Day was the second annual successful collaboration between Wallace Community College Selma and Craig Field Airport to inspire and empower underprivileged students toward exciting careers in aviation. It hosted over 600 middle and high school students who participated in immersive experiences and engaging activities, exploring different facets of the aviation industry and interacting with seasoned professionals. The day’s highlight was the keynote address by Mr. Chris Strickland, President of Dunn University and Retired Air Force Colonel. The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute demonstrated drones, Virtual Reality, and airfoils at the event.
This professional development session featured multiple providers, including Eduvero, EdFarm, STIIX, Kai XR, Learning Blade, QoreInsights, Quanthub, Rocket Drones, Ozobot, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office! Plasma Games engages students through interactive, game-based learning that enhances science understanding and improves test scores. Ed Farm is the digital education partner forcommunities, working with K-12 school districts to develop dynamic digital educators and power student learning with technology to help provide equal access to information needed to fill or create the jobs of the future. STIIX offers affordable STEM experiences for teachers and high quality STEM kits, while Kai XRbrings immersive HQIM lessons to elementary schools in subjects like math and science. Learning Blade introduces students to STEM careers through problem-based learning, and QoreInsights offers professional learning to drive student academic growth and well-being. QuantHub delivers digital literacy and datafluency training via microlearning.
Total Number of Participants: 20
At this institute, teachers embarked on a data science adventure, collaborating on relevant student projects that will impact their communities, including water-quality, gun violence, and mental health. Teachers also explored the UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center, learning about the unique biodiversity in babyֱ and ways they can use the Biodiversity Center for future planning opportunities, student trips, and overall educational impact.
At this ML-BOTS Coding Camp, students learned about coding and driving robotics, artificial intelligence, and ways that these skills are used in space and career application.
Total Number of babyֱ Attending: 50
The STEMming the Tide Professional Development series was conducted on July 14th at Montevallo University and July 30th and 31st at Spring Hill College.
During this two-day workshop, teachers completed hands-on lessons in CodeSpace with a physical device, followed written instructions in CodeSpace and direct instruction, wrote programs that control devices They will write programs that control a device, explored programming concepts and created digital simulations, and collaborated with other educators through discussion and breakout sessions. Lastly, teachers were given resources and reviewed and created lesson plans for implementation that accompany the curriculum.
Number of Teachers Attending: 10
12 students from Sumter County, Greene County, Pickens County, and Baldwin County participated in this four day, fully inclusive STEM Camp, where they connected with nature through exciting hands-on activities and participated in over 20 laboratory activities including edible slime, solar powered cars, DNA extraction, and bugs for breakfast.
Number of babyֱ Participating: 12
During this PD session, co-hosted by Auburn COSAM, teachers in grades 3-12 learned about Science Olympiad, including implementation methods, events, rules, resources, and other pertinent information about the 2025-2026 Science Olympiad Event schedule.
Number of Teachers Attending: 16
Number of School Districts: 12
This event, held at babyֱ State University, and featuring Regions Bank, Montgomery Public Schools, Junior Achievement of babyֱ, and the UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute, helped to prepare middle and high school students for their future through financial literacy, college and career preparation, and hands-on STEM activities.
Dr. Chet Nicklas and Dr. Reggie Holifield presented Character Building in Robotics at the Metaverse: STEM Student Leadership Conference in Huntsville, AL.
Worlds of Work is designed to help 9th grade students “connect the dots” and clearly identify steps toward a college or career pathway as they enter their high school education. This event gave them the opportunity to directly engage with local business and industry and supported their preparation to enter the workforce. The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute was able to engage with students and businesses to help align our mission to the future workforce in babyֱ.
Number of babyֱ Impacted– over 1,000
Total Number of Attendees– over 4,000
The College and Career Fair held in the Sumter Central High School gym featured a dynamic lineup of college and university recruiters, Air Force representatives, and officials with babyֱ Works. They all provided valuable insights into higher education, military service and workforce development. The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute offered the use of Oculus equipment, an immersive technology allowing students to step into the shoes of skilled trades professionals, exploring careers such as forklift operators, electricians, and masons. The VR simulations gave students a real sense of what these in demand jobs entail, sparking curiosity and excitement for their futures. Recruiters from Meridian Community College, University of babyֱ, and Tuskegee University were also on hand to describe the many opportunities these institutions offer, while Air Force representatives provided insight into military careers, benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. babyֱ Works representatives offered guidance on local job markets, apprenticeships, and workforce training all aimed at preparing students for success after graduation.
Number of babyֱ Attending – ~300
This professional development experience, designed for middle and high school teachers who want to integrate VEX Robotics into their classrooms with a focus on computational thinking, Python programming, and alignment to babyֱ’s Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) standards, had teachers progress from unplugged algorithm activities to autonomous programming with sensor integration and PID control. By the end, teachers were equipped to create engaging, standards-aligned robotics lessons that foster computational thinking, problem-solving, and innovation in students.
Number of Teachers Attending:12
At this event, students from K-5 participated in “Literacy Under the Big Top”, a carnival themed night involving parents and students throughout the Tuscaloosa City School District. The UWA Black Belt STEM Education Institute contributed to this event by bringing Ozobots for students to code and guide through a carnival.
Number of babyֱ Attending: 450
At this professional development in collaboration with the Teton Science Schools, teachers discussed place-based education and the Place-Based Framework, developed intentional culture by collaborating on activities and high-quality, place-based lesson plans, and integrated place-based learning into teaching an upcoming lesson.
Teachers Attending: 23
Districts Represented: 12
This webinar explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support effective, ethical, and equitable teaching in today’s classrooms. Participants learned how to use AI tools to design customized lesson plans, deliver clear and personalized feedback, and identify learning gaps to better support students who need extra help. The session emphasizes responsible AI use and demonstrates practical strategies to enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement.
Designed for both in-service and pre-service math and science teachers, this session showcased classroom-ready examples that help educators integrate AI tools into instructional planning, assessment, and differentiation while maintaining academic integrity and fostering trust in technology.
Number of Teachers Represented Per School District
Calhoun County – 5
Birmingham City – 4
Tuscaloosa City – 3
Houston County – 3
Butler County – 3
Mobile County – 2
Marion County – 2
Conecuh County – 1
Crenshaw County – 1
Jefferson County – 1
Lee County – 1
Pickens County – 1
Autauga County – 1
Elmore County – 1
Greene County – 1
Lamar County – 1
Pike County – 1
St. Clair County – 1
Tuscaloosa County – 1
Boaz City – 1
Pell City – 1
Total Number of Participants – 38
Number of Districts Represented– 21
At this Professional Development Session, ten (10) teachers learned the principles of engineering design and mechanical systems through the exciting world of VEX IQ robotics. Participants collaborated in teams to design, build, and refine a robot that demonstrates strength, stability, and mobility while learning to apply Newton’s Laws, gear ratios, and the engineering design process. Through a series of rapid challenges, participants develop critical problem-solving, teamwork, and design documentation skills that align with babyֱ Science and CTE-STEM standards. The day concluded with a friendly “Mix & Match” robotics competition where teams iterate, document changes, and compete with their creations, reinforcing concepts of motion, force, and energy in a fun, applied environment.
Number of Participants:10
Number of Districts Represented: 6
Bots, Builds, and Better Notebooks Number of Teams per School District

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School District
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–4)
Description:
This chart shows district participation in the “Bots, Builds, and Better Notebooks” professional development session.
Birmingham City: 3 participants
Clarke County: 2 participants
Washington County: 1 participant
Choctaw County: 1 participant
University Charter: 1 participant
Hale County: 1 participant
Key takeaway: Birmingham City had the highest participation with 3 attendees. Clarke County had 2. All other listed districts had 1 participant each.
In partnership with Knuckle Sandwich Robotics, the UWA BBSEI facilitated the first ever VEX V5 tournament hosted Dallas County High School. The following teams were represented at the tournament.

Chart type: Vertical bar chart
X-axis: School Name
Y-axis: Number of Teams (0–4)
Description:
This chart shows participation in the VEX V5 tournament in Plantersville, babyֱ.
Hartselle: 4 teams
Wetumpka: 3 teams
Jasper: 3 teams
Dallas County: 2 teams
Southeastern School: 2 teams
Southern Choctaw: 1 team
Home School: 1 team
Pelham: 1 team
Key takeaway: Hartselle had the most teams (4). Wetumpka and Jasper followed with 3 each. The remaining schools brought between 1 and 2 teams.
2024 Events
This took place in the Hughes Gymnasium and hosted many robotics teams from the babyֱ Black Belt Region. For many of the participants, it was their first competition, but some experienced teams competed as well. This was the first robotics competition hosted at the babyֱ.
At this hands-on training, teachers received a free STEM kit, had meaningful discussions about the current status of STEM Education, became students for two hours, and learned about all the STEM Kits available through STiiX. Following is the number of participants by school and district:
Total Number of STEM Kits Received: 50
Total Number of Teachers Trained: 29
Total Number of Districts Impacted: 13
This was an immersive workshop designed specifically for educators wanting to compete in Vex Robotics. This workshop empowered teams to bring cutting-edge STEM education to classrooms. This hands-on training covered the fundamentals of robotics education, focusing on practical skills, and collaborative strategies to engage and inspire students in STEM learning. Key Focus Areas included Engineering Notebook Mastery, Engineering Problem Solving, Introduction to Programming VEX Robots, and Student/Teacher Build Sessions. Teachers received 7 hours of TEAMS Credit for participating in this professional development session. Participants included: 2 teams from Lowndes County, a total of 14 students from two schools. 2 teams from Marengo County, a total of 6 students from two schools. 4 teams from Washington County, a total of 10 students from one school. 3 teams from Sumter County, a total of 20 students from two schools. 1 team from University Charter school, represented by one coach. 1 team from Aliceville Elementary School, represented by one coach. 1 team from Hale County Middle School, represented by one coach.
Total Participants: 14 teachers/coaches and 50 students from 10 schools in 7 districts.
The Black Belt STEM Education Institute worked with GEMS, Girls Engaged in Math and Science, to secure the first ever West babyֱ location for the 16th Annual GEMS Expo. Girls Engaged in Math and Science (GEMS) is an educational program designed to actively involve girls in STEM-related activities through formal and informal learning environments. The GEMS Program supports the national need to close the STEM gender gap utilizing eight teaching strategies to encourage self-confidence and elevate interest in the areas of math and science with female students. At this particular event, seventeen (17) 7th and 8th grade girls and nineteen (19) 3rd through 6th grade girls participated. The morning consisted of Keynote Speakers in the area of women in STEM. This panel included Dr. Kelsey Bickett from QuantHub, Dr. Nancy Brooker from the UWA-BBSEI, Dr. Amy Pigott, a pharmacist from Meridian, MS, Kristen McKenney, a Registered Nurse from Meridian, MS, Laurel Esposito with Energy babyֱ, and La’Tanya Scott with the Cahaba River Society. Following, the students presented their projects and completed hands-on activities organized by the UWA College of Education Pre-service students and Dr. Robert Mayben from babyֱ Science in Motion. The 7th and 8th grade girls completed a HammerBuild, where they learned teamwork, measurement skills, critical thinking, math, and problem-solving skills. The schools represented were as follows: York West End Junior High School, Huntington Place Elementary School, Wetumpka Middle School, and Robert Brown Middle School.