DECATUR, Ala. (WIAT) — At the Cook Museum of Natural Science, visitors can come and see all that the world has to offer. Officials said this facility is building the STEM workforce of the future.
That’s why Gov. Kay Ivey allocated $9.5 million to expand the gallery. She said it will impact the lives of thousands of Alabama students.
“This center’s gonna do even more and focus on STEM education,” said Gov. Ivey. “That’s the future for our young people, so that we’re building on the future today. And I’m proud to be apart of that.”
Brian Cook, president and board chairman of the North Alabama STEM Center, said these dollars will go towards building out classrooms and eventually adding other exhibits.
“We cannot be more thrilled to have the state, our city and the county all unified and aligned to support the Cook Museum of Natural Science as the STEM Center of North Alabama,” he said. “And we’re just eager to get to work.”
Alabama priest put on leave following allegations of affair with 17-year-old girl
State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said the center reaches beyond North Alabama.
“I think, as it continues to grow and they have more capacity, you’re gonna see students from all over the state and surrounding states coming to enjoy the museum here, to learn, to become more involved in the STEM field,” Dr. Mackey said.
He explained how science and technology jobs will only grow in Alabama.
“Biotechnologies to engineering, to building high tech components, to the space industry- which of course, it just a few miles from here,” he said. “We want Alabama students to be prepared for those jobs, where we don’t have to just bring folks in to do those jobs.”
Gov. Ivey said this museum takes STEM out of a textbook and puts it right into a child’s hand.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Comments