a message
from the Director of COSAM Outreach
Mary Lou Ewald
This has been an exciting year for COSAM Outreach as we continue to expand
and impact larger audiences with our unique programming. In August, we welcomed
Erin Percival, assistant director of Outreach, to our staff. Erin’s experience with project
management, curriculum development and classroom instruction has enhanced our existing
programs and provided inspiration for new ways to excite and challenge students in science
and mathematics.
Following last year’s successful expansion of our statewide BEST – Boosting
Engineering, Science and Technology – middle and high school robotics program, we
were again fortunate to receive support from the Alabama Department of Postsecondary
Education (through the Alabama Technology Network) to continue expanding BEST into
rural areas of the state. In the fall of 2012, the “BEST in Alabama Program” will expand to
include three new program sites (“hubs”) at community colleges in Selma, Rainsville and
Tuscaloosa. Our goal is for every middle and high school student in the state to have the
opportunity to participate in BEST, regardless of geographic or economic limitations. We
continue to hear stories from teachers and parents of how participation in BEST inspires
so many students to continue their education, even those forgotten students who previously
had little hope for a postsecondary education. This year’s outreach focus story features one
of those schools, Hope Academy in Talladega, Ala.
Mary Lou Ewald
Director of COSAM Outreach
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Journey/2012