21-05-2025
‘Expand their backgrounds, their horizons, and their skill sets': STEAM Imagination Center opens in Decatur
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A new opportunity for higher education is opening its doors to students, offering classes in science, technology, engineering, fine arts, and math, or 'STEAM.'
The new STEAM Imagination Center in Decatur is a partnership between the Alabama Center for the Arts, Calhoun Community College, and Athens State University.
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'We want to be able to provide employment for all our students,' said Senator Arthur Orr, who sponsored the bill that provided funding for the Center. 'This will give them an added dimension as they learn technology, computers, how to do art on computers, and, they can take that out into the workforce, get a good paying job and have a successful career.'
The STEAM Imagination Center will host several new programs and provide workspace for existing classes, including 3D modeling, additive manufacturing, and filmmaking.
Kimberly Parker, who serves as the executive director of the Alabama Center of the Arts and the dean of Fine Arts at Calhoun, said exposure to math, science and fine arts will help students down the road.
'We find that students learn as much from each other as they do from their instructors,' she said. 'We're hoping that the mix of different types of students will sort of start conversations that give them a chance to expand their backgrounds, their horizons, and their skill sets.'
The center will host its first semester of classes next week. Admission is also open to high school students with dual enrollment.
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