MOBILE, Ala. – Earlier in the summer, teachers from B.B. Comer, Childersburg, and Talladega attended the We Build It Better professional development training program in Mobile.
From July 18 through the 22, 36 teachers from six different states convened in Mobile for a week-long program at Flight Works Alabama.
The educators were trained in the following curricula: science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Along with the Talladega County teachers, representatives attended from all over the state including Shelby County (Calera and Vincent), Clay County (Central), Anniston, and Calhoun County (Jacksonville and Gifted Academy).
Mandy Ratliff, a teacher from Childersburg Middle School, expressed her enthusiasm over what she learned in Mobile.
“I’m excited to bring back the hands-on lessons and activities from the We Build It Better program,” said Ratliff. “Every day will be a different experience that the students will get to have, and they’ll be excited each day to see what happens next.”
Activities the teachers were instructed on are as diverse as building a model Airbus A320 aircraft, designing and constructing an electric vehicle, and 3D printing their first invention. Roughly one-fourth of attendees went through refresher training while the rest were new to We Build It Better.
We Build It Better is an all-inclusive industry-designed, educator-developed, curricular experience specifically made for middle school students. The program lays a foundation for
students to understand the process of developing a new product and equips them with the skills needed to design and create an innovative solution to real-world challenges.
