Berkeley Leader

 

A fresh $25,000 check is going to help get local students interested in STEM careers through the use of a student summer camp.

Dorchester County Economic Development just scored the hefty check on behalf of Tri-County STEMersion, a nonprofit established by Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties alongside the SC Department of Commerce to link existing industry needs with local educators to implement high-demand STEM skills directly into classrooms.

The funds were provided by Power:Ed, a philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, an organization committed to supporting South Carolina schools.

During the Tri-County STEMersion’s two-week long summer institute held back in June, middle and high school teachers from all three counties participated in visiting one or two big-industry sites per day, such as Volvo, and did hands-on learning opportunities and lessons that reinforced why math, science and soft skills are important for the region’s workforce and economic growth.

STEMersion officials decided these efforts needed to be expanded to students as well, so this $25,000 is going to be used to create a new STEM Workforce Student Summer Camp for students to attend next summer.

Tri-County STEMersion officials happened to be at Sedgefield Middle on Monday to do some STEM activities with the sixth-graders; the project was inspired by the work teachers did during the summer at Volvo using air filtration systems. After lunch, representatives from the counties’ economic development offices gathered in the classroom of sixth-grade science/social studies teacher Felicia Perrineau to have students participate in a check presentation with Power:Ed.

Michelle McDonald, Dorchester Economic Development Corporation Deputy Director, said the STEMersion camp will allow local students to tour big industries and see STEM in action, similar to how their teachers did during the summer institute.

“With the creation of the STEM Workforce Student Summer Camp, Tri-County STEMersion will now directly provide our future workforce with the STEM skills used in today’s industries,” McDonald said in a press release from Dorchester County Economic Development. “Understanding the application of the skills they are learning through the hands-on activities and site visits offered will transform students into an active participant of their learning process. The earlier we can engage students in STEM, the more competitive they will be for the careers of tomorrow.”

Power:Ed was founded in 2019 and is geared toward creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, minority and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities.

Power:Ed Director Claire Gibbons said the philanthropy funds quarterly. The funds go toward nonprofits that work to build a pipeline of talent in South Carolina, and they fund middle schools through adulthood.

Tri-County STEMersion was selected from 21 applicants – six were funded. Power:Ed will fund $900,000 across the state this year. The next deadline for nonprofits to apply is Jan. 1, 2023.

Original source can be found here.