Teachers, administrators and parents from all across the state will meet at Wallace State Community College Selma. March 6 for the third Southeastern Consortium for Engineering (SECME) Alabama State Leadership Conference.

SECME, a program established by the Georgia Institute of Technology, helps open doors and prepare women and minorities to work in the fields of math, science, engineering and technology.

Charlotte Griffeth, principal of Communications, Humanities, Arts, and Technology (C.H.A.T.) Academy

and conference facilitator, said 10 school systems from Birmingham to Mobile will participate in the conference.

Teachers and administrators will have a chance to participate in workshops, listen to guest

speakers and discuss issues with college professors and company leaders.

The parent portion of the conference, known as &uot;Excel at Parenting,&uot; helps parents assist their children with career and education choices and gives parents the opportunity to gain their own technology training and work with the schools.

The universities will also sponsor student competitions during the conference.

Dr. Yvonne Freeman, executive director of SECME, said she was excited about the event , this year encompassing the theme, &uot;Developing Partnerships That Help Build Bridges to Success.&uot;

The three-day conference will continue until March 8. Schools and teachers interested in participating in the conference should contact Griffeth her at C.H.A.T. Academy.

Information about the conference can be found at www.magnetschoolsofselma.org.