Tuskegee University News November 21, 2011 Black Belt educators, others gather at Tuskegee University to commemorate launch of nanobioscience partnership Dozens of educators, administrators, political representatives and middle school students from Macon County and surrounding areas gathered in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University ballroom on Saturday to commemorate the official launch of a nanobioscience partnership for the Alabama Black Belt region. The National Science Foundation awarded the $9.9 million grant that funds the program to Tuskegee University in September. “This is a truly remarkable partnership among universities, community colleges and school districts throughout this area,” said Tuskegee University President Gilbert L. Rochon. The five-year grant will allow the university and its partners to reach out to area science students and teachers in middle schools (sixth-to-eighth grades), and increase the use of nanobioscience. Partners in the grant include Alabama State University, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama (Birmingham and Tuscaloosa campuses). Other partners are Central Alabama, Enterprise, Shelton State, Wallace State and Wallace State at Selma community colleges. “Alabama ranks the lowest in science achievement. That was a good reason for us to come together and do something about it,” said Shaik Jeelani, vice president for research and sponsored programs at Tuskegee. During the commemoration, several state and local politicians made remarks about their commitment to education. Among them were Tuskegee Mayor Omar Neal and State Rep. Pebblin Warren (District 82). Academic partners also presented module demonstrations and shared teaching techniques that they would bring to their respective classrooms. The nine participating school districts are Barbour, Bullock, Dallas, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Perry and Selma. Belinda Hart, a science teacher at Tuskegee Institute Middle School, who is also a Tuskegee University alumna, said she and her students were very excited about the new opportunities the partnership will provide. “When you get the students excited about something,” she said, “you can take on the world.” SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.