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The Outreach Educational Mission
Quality education is central to Alabama's progress. Auburn University Outreach aims to strengthen and improve its partnerships with K-12 and provide expert assistance to Alabama's public school systems.

Partners in Learning, publication in PDF format (16 pages, 1MB) Adobe Acrobat Reader needed.

• TRUMAN PIERCE INSTITUTE in the AU College of Education promotes collaboration between higher education and public schools in all aspects of teaching and leadership. This Institute oversees several successful university/K-12 initiatives:

AU SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM FOR ALABAMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS offers, at no cost, surplus university computers, equipment, furniture, books and other property to public school systems throughout the state. More than 29 schools have participated in the program.

WEST ALABAMA LEARNING COALITION coordinates efforts of local schools and colleges in addressing the educational needs of rural Alabama. Focus area includes Clarke, Fayette, Lee, Macon, Monroe, Sumter and Wilcox counties.

CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOLS creates partnerships between numerous public school systems and colleges, universities and technical schools located in their respective counties.

THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR is published jointly by the Truman Pierce Institute and the College of Education. The semiannual journal is devoted to the discussion of issues and trends in teacher education and in the professional development of teachers.

These and other partnerships, programs and services are available through the Truman Pierce Institute office. CONTACT: Truman Pierce Institute Director Cynthia J. Reed or Office Administrator Cathy Newkirk (334) 844-4488

• The DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY STUDIES places interns in Alabama public school systems every semester and performs psychological measures for students in school districts that cannot afford to have this type of testing conducted. The department also operates the Center for Children, Youth, and Families that includes the Auburn University Early Learning Center and the Birmingham Early Learning Center. CONTACT: Department of Human Development and Family Studies (334) 844-4151

• CANINE AND DETECTION RESEARCH INSTITUTE promotes applications for working canines and their detection capabilities, which can serve as a deterrent for school violence by searching for explosives, firearms and drugs in schools. Demonstration programs in local schools receive overwhelming positive response from both teachers and students, who frequently interact with handlers to learn about the dogs and training methods. CONTACT: Canine and Detection Research Institute Director Paul Waggoner (334) 844-4541

• COLLEGE OF EDUCATION also is host to other curriculum specific K-12 initiatives including: Motor Development Program; Sport Education Development Program; Center for Economic Education; Alabama Reading Initiative; Tutoring Partnership; Social Studies Partnership; Sunbelt Writing Project; and Problem-Centered Teaching and Learning. CONTACT: Dean of Education office, interim Dean Frances K. Kochan (334) 844-4446

• THE EAST ALABAMA REGIONAL INSERVICE CENTER (EARIC), operated through the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, serves schools in 15 school districts in the east-central region of the state. EARIC provides a wide range of resources, training and services for area teachers and administrators. CONTACT: EARIC Director Jennifer Good (334) 844–5028

• COLLEGE OF SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS hosts yearly workshops and continuing education programs for elementary and secondary school teachers. These programs include:

THE PASCO INSTITUTE provides an annual three-day teacher training session that attracts and hosts 40 of the top K-12 science educators from around the United States. This session is extremely intensive and focuses on computer systems for middle and high schools.

THE GOLDSTONE APPLE VALLEY RADIO TELESCOPE project is a NASA-sponsored program for which AU conducts a five-day workshop for public school teachers. Training focuses on ways to incorporate telescope research into school curricula.

ALABAMA OPERATION CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS is funded by the Eisenhower Professional Development Program and offers continuing education for physical science teachers in grades 4-8. More than 750 Alabama teachers have participated in the program.

ChemEd 2003 International Conference for Chemistry Teachers will be held on July 27-31, 2003, Auburn University will host the Chemistry Education Conference, or "ChemEd 2003". Over 1000 high school and college chemistry educators from around the world will participate in this 5 day event. Highlights will include various symposia (middle school and AP Chemistry), workshops, guest lecturers, children's activities, tours of the south, and much more.

K-8 LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IN DISCRETE MATHEMATICS provides instruction to Alabama’s elementary school teachers on discrete math topics and is supported by the National Science Foundation.

These and other programs for teachers are available through the outreach division of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. CONTACT: Outreach Director Mary Lou Howard (334) 844–5745

• TEACHER CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Association feature AU Forestry faculty as instructors. Teachers across the state are provided scholarships to attend the three-day programs which include instruction on conservation issues and field trips. Teachers also receive supplies of education materials for use in their classrooms. CONTACT: Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Associate Professor Kathryn Flynn (334) 844-1036

• SCHOOL-TO-CAREER PROJECT, administered by Alabama Technology Network at Auburn University (ATN-AU), began serving high schools throughout Alabama during the 2000–2001 school year. The two major activities offered by this project are Tours for Teachers and Interview Day. CONTACT: ATN-AU Director Henry Burdg (334) 844-4659

• TRANSITION IN ALABAMA conference for teachers and other education providers focuses on preparing high school students with disabilities for a successful transition from school-to-work and community life. The program, hosted by AU Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education, features prominent education leaders from across the United States. More than 5,000 special education teachers, career technical teachers and others have participated in the program since 1991. CONTACT: Rehabilitation & Special Education Department Head Philip Browning (334) 844-5943

• HELPING HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGH THE HUMANITIES provides a systematic and varied series of plays, poetry workshops, author visits and civil rights presentations in the rural high schools of Calhoun, LaFayette, and Loachapoka. The highly praised program exposes students to extraordinary humanities events normally not accessible in their hometowns. CONTACT: Center for Arts and Humanities Director Jay Lamar (334) 844-4947

• SCIENCE-IN-MOTION traveling science labs provide on-site biology, chemistry, and physical science experiences for both teachers and students in Alabama schools. These mobile labs contain a variety of high-tech equipment most individual schools cannot afford. Teachers receive training in mastery of subject matter and equipment use. University program specialists are also available to join teachers in team instruction during classroom visits. CONTACT: College of Sciences and Mathematics Outreach Director Mary Lou Howard (334) 844-5745

• ALABAMA 4-H provides a nationally successful model of assistance to K-12 teachers, curriculum coordinators, school administrators and volunteers focused on helping more than 140,000 Alabama students learn and grow. Available through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in every county, 4-H is a broad and comprehensive resource to education and to the community through 4-H Discovery (school enrichment), after-school programs and community-based clubs. CONTACT: Extension State 4-H Program Leader Warren McCord (334) 844-4451

• WORKFORCE PREPARATION PROGRAMS are designed for youth who have not yet entered the workforce. Offered throughout the state by the Cooperative Extension System, these programs target middle- and high-school students with career fairs, interview sessions and industry tours. The programs also work with teachers and school administration to define career programs specific to local areas. CONTACT: Extension State Community Resource Development Program Leader Warren McCord (334) 844-4451

• PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE (PICS) program integrates college students’ academic studies with service learning experience in the community. Schools in Lee and Chambers counties partner with the program, which creates mutually beneficial exchanges between university students and their community hosts. CONTACT: PICS Director James E. Groccia in the The Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (334) 844-8530

• THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM of the Department of Health and Human Performance focuses on first and second grade students' movement skill development. Aimed at reaching student developmental goals set by the Alabama State Course of Study, this program pairs Ogletree Elementary Physical Education teachers with Auburn coaches and students. CONTACT: Associate Professor Peter Hastie (334) 844-1450

• PROJECT NIA focuses on improving academic achievement through mentoring relationships between Auburn faculty and Loachapoka Elementary sixth and seventh grade participants. The word "Nia" is of Swahili origin and means "purpose." The program stresses developing skills for critical thinking, research, decision-making and self-enhancement. CONTACT Assistant Professor Kimberly King (334) 844-3068

• BUDDY UP pairs AU architecture students with Birmingham middle school students in a hands-on experience of sketching, model building and learning about historic buildings. Students are exposed to architectural skills and preservation interests as well as working as part of a team on significant projects. CONTACT: Professor Cheryl Morgan (205) 323-3592

• AU SYMPHONIC BAND TOURS and SPRING CONCERT CHOIR TOURS benefit K-12 through outstanding in-school musical performances. The AU Concert Choir and Singers, Symphonic Band and various ensemble groups are among the student and faculty groups performing in schools throughout the state. CONTACT: Department of Music Chair Thomas Smith (334) 844-4194

ART MUSEUM OFFERING SUMMER CAMPS, Auburn's Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art invites children in grades 2-5 to participate in summer camps. During The Audubon Summer Camp the museum's Audubon Collection is used. Children will take part in gallery activities and hands-on projects to enhance their knowledge of birds and learn how bird drawings can be produced using a variety of techniques and materials. In the Advancing American Art Summer Camp, students learn about the various artistic styles that comprised American art during the first half of the 20th century. Both camps are free. Please call Education Curator Tim Brown at 844-3486 for reservations.

SUMMER EXPERIENCE, a collection of the University's most popular camps, is coordinated by the Outreach Program Office in conjunction with campus offices and faculty. Approximately 25 programs include cheer, dance and drill camps; yearbook; industrial design; world affairs workshops and seminars; and athletic camps for football, basketball, golf, gymnastics, volleyball and soccer. CONTACT: Outreach Program Office (334) 844-5100

• HONOR BAND and other band camps, festivals and competitions bring to campus hundreds of middle and high school students to participate in bands conducted by AU music faculty. Campers receive instruction and experience in public performances. ITS SHOWTIME! gives students entering grades 8-12 an opportunity to learn what it is like to be a part of a show choir. Students work together with the renowned Auburn University Singers in training sessions and public performances. The department conducts several other choral contests and festivals. Music events attract more than 2,400 participants to the Auburn campus each year. CONTACT: Department of Music Chair Thomas Smith (334) 844-4194

• COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS hosts a variety of high-tech camps for Alabama students. These include:

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD for school teams are regional competitions
leading to the popular state and national Science Olympiads. These competitions promote student interest in science and provide recognition of science achievement of both students and teachers.

PHYSICS INVITATIONALS for team and individual competition bring
outstanding students to campus to test their knowledge of physics,
mathematics and mechanics.

BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology), a high school team competition in robotics, is designed to interest students in science and engineering career fields through an exciting sports-like technology contest.

YOUTH EXPERIENCES IN SCIENCE (Y.E.S.) program is a series of camps for grades ranging from 3-9. The camps offer quality instruction and activity in biological and physical sciences, math and computer
technology.

These and other competitive science programs for youth are available through the outreach division of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. CONTACT: Outreach Director Mary Lou Howard (334) 844-5745.

• THE ALABAMA 4-H CENTER on Lay Lake near Columbiana offers residential summer camps in a beautiful woodlands setting. Programs combine recreational activities with environmental education to teach campers about ecology, wildlife, astronomy and outdoor skills. CONTACT: Extension State 4-H Program Leader Warren McCord (334) 844-4451

• FORESTRY CAMP is an annual event hosted by AU Forestry and the Alabama Forestry Commission. Campers visit forestry facilities and learn about the forest industry. Emphasis is placed on recruiting minority students, who are typically underrepresented in the profession.CONTACT: Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Associate Professor Kathryn Flynn (334) 844-1036