Get ready South Carolina! Next month South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science is organizing the first ever STEM Education Week. The goal is to remind our communities of the important role STEM education plays in our State. Last year we took STEM Education to the Capitol, showcasing student robotics teams, celebrating past success as well as introducing new initiatives. This year, we are expanding our efforts with a full week of daily activities geared toward school and community participation.
We know STEM is happening in your schools and after-school clubs and programs, but this is a time to share it with those not in your classrooms each day – legislators, business/industry professionals, community organizations and parents.
Plus, join fellow STEM enthusiasts and schools around the State in the 2019 SC STEM Education Week!
MONDAY: Raise Your Voice for STEM Education!
Raise your voice and shoot a quick email to your legislators, encouraging them to continue supporting STEM education during this legislative session!
Not sure who your legislators are? Use this link to easily locate your representatives.
Short on time or not sure what to write? No worries. Simply start with our sample email and customize it to fit your message. Please encourage students to write emails as well. Their voices have a great impact on our legislators who are interested in knowing how supporting STEM education leads to a better prepared workforce and brighter economic outlook for our state.
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Sample Email: Opportunities in STEM career fields such as Advanced Manufacturing, Computing, and Engineering continue to grow in South Carolina. STEM learning in schools, in afterschool programs, and in a wide variety of formal and informal learning settings all contribute to an informed citizenry, a workforce with increased knowledge and skills, and a better quality of life for all.
I ask you to support STEM teachers and learners in this 2019 legislative session by_____________.
I value your leadership as a legislator and look forward to working with you to support the STEM education this year and every year!
Here are some items you might consider asking your legislator to support:
The STEM Teacher Fellows program aimed at retention of mid-career teachers proposed by South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science and approved by the Education Oversight Committee.
Tax credits for business/industry that employ STEM educators from any grade level as interns.
The creation of a professional development fund targeted to assist STEM teachers, with special emphasis on middle and high school mathematics teachers, in developing interdisciplinary, project-based instruction and assignments that engage students in applying science, computational thinking, engineering and mathematics skills to solve problems.
TUESDAY: STEM Education Day at the Capitol
The Statehouse will be abuzz with STEM Signing Day, exciting announcements on STEM initiatives, and the naming of the STEM Teacher of the Year. Additionally, student groups will be onsite demonstrating robotics and other STEM projects they have designed and engineered. If you can’t be present at the Capitol, we still want to hear from you! Use the link on the event webpage to send us a video or email on why STEM education is important to South Carolina, tell us about cool STEM things happening in your school, and why students want and need a strong STEM education.
If you submit your video or email messages by the end of the day on Tuesday, you may see them featured on our social media sites – Facebook and Twitter.
WEDNESDAY: STEM Impact Day
Wednesday is all about sharing. Throughout the day, we’ll be posting videos and messages from students, educators, community, and business/industry professionals on how STEM education impacts our state. Keep checking our social media feeds throughout the day and share these messages with your community.
THURSDAY: Show Us Your STEM! Calling all classrooms, afterschool programs, clubs, homes and communities.
All are encouraged to participate and capture images of individuals and groups engaging in a STEM activity and/or STEM lesson. Need help with resources? We’ve got you covered. Selected activities, lessons and projects are available for you on the event webpage to download and use for free. Don’t forget to take a few photos or a video and post to Facebook using #STEMWeekSC.
FRIDAY: Sustaining STEM, Building a Strong State
Friday is all about carrying it forward. Everyone is encouraged to visit the event webpage and submit an electronic commitment card, committing to one action item to sustain quality STEM education and learning throughout the year.
Hosting a STEM night at your school or community club.
We want you to succeed with your commitments. Contact your Regional S2TEM Centers Office if you need help getting started!
After STEM Education Week concludes we’ll be summarizing and sharing the commitments with our community and legislators.
Go get ready South Carolina! SC STEM Education Week is coming! Let’s show our state why STEM education is so important especially for our students and their success toward the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
We know STEM is happening in your schools and after-school clubs and programs, but this is a time to share it with those not in your classrooms each day – legislators, business/industry professionals, community organizations and parents.
TUESDAY: STEM Education Day at the Capitol
WEDNESDAY: STEM Impact Day 
FRIDAY: Sustaining STEM, Building a Strong State
