Our Youth Work Development Programs are designed to nurture young people’s interests and talents in STEM while focusing on 21st-century skills development and workforce readiness. These programs offer mentorship opportunities, career exploration workshops, leadership development, and real-world STEM experiences to help students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in STEM.

By integrating critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity into our activities, we prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. Through connections with role models and hands-on learning opportunities, we inspire students to pursue STEM careers and become confident, capable contributors to the STEM community.

• Transportation Awareness Day
• National Summer Transportation Institute
• Informal STEM Learning Activities
• ACES² Mobility STEM Competition

Advancing STEM Education Through High-Quality Professional Development

The Alabama Transportation Institute’s Education and Outreach Program has earned TEAMS Approval and AMSTI Affiliation, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in STEM education. With this recognition, we proudly offer research-driven professional development workshops designed to equip educators with the tools, strategies, and resources necessary to deliver high-quality STEM instruction in mathematics, science, and computer science.

Our workshops focus on the latest STEM education practices, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and industry-relevant applications into classroom instruction. Educators gain hands-on experience with innovative teaching methodologies that foster student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. Additionally, our sessions emphasize the creation of comprehensive learning environments, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can develop strong, positive STEM identities and a deeper understanding of STEM principles.

By aligning with state and national education standards, we provide educators with the support they need to effectively incorporate transportation-focused STEM concepts into their curriculum. Through this initiative, we are committed to empowering teachers to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, preparing students to excel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

• Summer STEM Institute for Teachers
• Future City

Our Researcher Development Programs support the continuous professional growth of faculty, staff, and student researchers. These programs provide specialized training in STEM curriculum design, instructional leadership, and data-driven decision-making.

Additionally, we offer targeted workshops on effective science communication, enabling researchers to translate their cutting-edge research into accessible and engaging content for K12 students, teachers, and broader communities.

By equipping researchers with advanced skills and knowledge, we aim to foster a culture of excellence and innovation in STEM education, ensuring that all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities that prepare them for future success.

• Engaged Scholarship Support

Our K-12 formal educational resources are meticulously aligned with state standards and tailored to address regional economic opportunities within the transportation sector. These resources are designed to ensure that students receive a high-quality education that not only meets educational benchmarks but also prepares them for future careers in transportation. By integrating local economic trends and industry needs into our curriculum, we aim to provide students with relevant and practical knowledge that will equip them for success in the evolving job market.

• Middle School
• High School

Our community engagement initiatives are designed to build strong partnerships between schools, families, local businesses, and community organizations. These initiatives include public lectures, STEM expos, career exploration workshops and collaborative projects that bring STEM learning into the heart of the community.

By fostering a community-wide appreciation for STEM, we aim to create a supportive environment that encourages students to pursue STEM careers and apply their STEM knowledge to address local and global challenges.

• Walk Smart Alabama
• Community STEM Festival