By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Some Alabama teachers are going to school this summer to learn a new hands-on approach to teaching math and science. The Alabama Math, Science and Technology initiative has already been used in some north Alabama schools. 11 schools in Baldwin and Mobile Counties will adopt the program this year. Teachers from those schools have been attending classes to learn the new way to teach science. For example, the teachers wouldn't just tell students how a battery works -- the students would be able to make a battery. Education officials say the Initiative will eventually spread across the state, bringing higher student test scores. They're hoping to repeat the success of the state Reading Initiative, which uses a similar teaching approach and also started in select schools.