Section 25-16-1 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) COUNCIL or STEM COUNCIL. The Alabama Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Council created by this chapter. (2) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Workforce. (3) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive committee of the council. (4) STEM. Science, technology, engineering, and math. (5) STEM CAREERS. Careers that utilize concepts from the STEM fields including, but not limited to, engineering, life science, accounting, astronomy, physics, chemistry, earth science, math and computing, information science, artificial intelligence, health and medicine, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and social sciences, including political science and economics. (6) STEM EDUCATION. Education that entails more than achieving competency in individual STEM subject areas and requires students to be able to integrate concepts from multiple disciplines and use that knowledge to solve complex problems. The term often includes instructional practices that actively engage all students in an interdisciplinary project or problem-based approach, tied to a real world, authentic challenge through which students use various technologies to assist their inquiry, research, and communication.