Hartsville, South Carolina – The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation has received a $50,000 grant to assist make STEM education more available across the state. The SC Student Loan Corporation’s charitable arm, Power:Ed, gave the award. It will directly help grow important programs that get children excited about science, technology, engineering, and math.
Power:Ed is continuing to work to improve education and workforce preparedness in South Carolina using this money. The $50,000 award is distributed evenly between the Governor’s School’s two main programs: STEM Days throughout the school year and GoSciTech Summer Camps. Both programs are meant to make it easier for students, especially those who might not be able to afford it, to get good STEM experiences.
“The partnership between GSSM and Power:Ed is truly transformative,” said Danny Dorsel, president of GSSM. “Thanks to Power:Ed’s support, GSSM’s year-round STEM programs offer thousands of South Carolina middle and high school students hands-on, world-class learning experiences. In 2024–25, more than 10,000 students and teachers benefited from these programs. With this renewed support from Power:Ed, we look forward to expanding our impact even further.”
All 16 technical institutions in South Carolina offer GoSciTech Summer Camps as day camps. GSSM’s Hartsville campus also has a residential camp. There are also virtual camp alternatives, so students from throughout the state can join. The camps are for students going into 6th through 10th grade and cover a wide range of topics, from robotics to environmental engineering. They give students hands-on experiences that go beyond what they learn in school.
STEM Days bring the fun of science and engineering right to kids in elementary and middle school. These programs, which take place at GSSM’s campus and in schools all throughout South Carolina, focus on learning via questions and using what you learn in the real world. Curriculum experts teach subjects like chemistry, electronics, and physics. They give students chances to work together on interesting projects and learn more about the subject.
“Power:Ed and SC Student Loan Corporation are proud to continue supporting GSSM’s efforts to reach middle and high school students in rural and underserved communities,” said Claire Gibbons, executive director of Power:Ed. “These programs give students the chance to explore STEM, plan for college and careers, and connect with their local technical colleges. We’re thrilled to see these initiatives expanding to all 16 technical college campuses.”
Last quarter, Power:Ed gave out five grants, one of which was to the GSSM Foundation. The total amount was $212,000. Power:Ed has given more than $1 million in grants to 22 groups that help people in South Carolina get ready for school and work in the 2024–25 fiscal year.
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Visit the Governor’s School’s website at this link to learn more about their outreach efforts and how children can get engaged in STEM activities.
