Stuart Attends Opening of Alma Irene Aitch STEM Center

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Earlier this week, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, attended the opening of the new STEM Center in Edwardsville, dedicated to Alma Irene Aitch, a former educator of Mannie Jackson, the President of the Center for the Humanities.

“I was honored to attend the opening of the STEM Center, right in the heart of our community,” Stuart said. “It is important that we continue to place focus not only on diversifying the types of education a child can receive, but also on fostering innovation in math, science, tech and engineering. As a former math educator for 25 years myself, I believe that this is one of the best ways for the city to honor a former educator who was so important in so many students’ lives.”

Named after Alma Irene Aitch, a former educator at Lincoln Grammar School, the center will strive to combine the humanities with STEM through project-based learning activities and immersing the students in in-person experiences to create a nationally benchmarked program.

“It is important to recognize educators who have made such a difference in our community, and seeing all of Ms. Aitch’s former students at the grand opening was a reminder of that,” Stuart continued. “It is my hope that our future generation can put this center to good use and be a part of the growth of the STEM community.”