South Carolina’s Coalition of Math and Science (SCCMS), housed in Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing, and Applied Sciences, creates alliances and partnerships that promote college, career, and citizenship opportunities through STEM education. In fiscal year 2016, 11 companies contributed over $385,000 to SCCMS programs and initiatives, including Duke Energy, Fluor, GE, Michelin, ScanSource, Comporium, BMW, Boeing, Bosch, O’Neal, and Lockheed Martin.
SCCMS has three major initiatives: S2TEM Centers SC, a statewide network of STEM education specialists working with teachers and schools to improve classroom instruction and increase student achievement; the Upstate and Lowcountry STEM Collaboratives, business and industry-driven interest groups focused on engaging communities in STEM awareness; and the SC STEM Summit/Next Steps Institute, an annual STEM education networking opportunity for a variety of stakeholders throughout South Carolina.
Two of SCCMS’ most successful initiatives are the annual iMAGINE Upstate STEM festival, fueled by ScanSource, in Greenville, SC, and the Charleston STEM Festival in the lowcountry. These events draw thousands of participants and engage hundreds of volunteers (iMAGINE Upstate pictured above).
During the 2015-2016 academic year, SCCMS delivered over 40,000 contact hours of programs and services to over 7,000 educators and others across the state. An estimated 30,000 families/students participated in STEM festivals hosted by SCCMS in SC. Tom Peters, Ed.D., Executive Director of SCCMS, was recently selected as one of the first six members of the STEMx Advisory Board, a coalition of more than 20 U.S. state STEM networks. Read more at http://newsstand.clemson.edu/?p=133434.
The success of SCCMS is due in large part to support from engaged corporate partners working alongside educators and community leaders to improve STEM education in our state.
