S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics

By Campbell, Reba

While the state is preparing for the knowledge economy by investing in research infrastructure, the S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is serving as an incubator for the professionals who will help fuel this new economy.

A public residential high school located in Hartsville, the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is home to 128 academically advanced juniors and seniors from all over the state. These students are the engineers, researchers, scientists, attorneys, educators, physicians, and educators who will be on the front lines of this new economy.

With a student/teacher ratio of 10:1, these talented young people have the chance to focus on specific areas of study with teachers who all have advanced degrees. These students work with high-tech lab equipment found only in professional research facilities. In 2005, this quality education contributed to an average SAT score of 1,398 and more than $9.5 million in scholarship offers to the 62 seniors.

But it’s a successful partnership with the state’s research universities and other research labs that is a real defining factor in preparing the Governor’s School students for the new economy.

Each summer, Governor’s School rising seniors and a group of other high-achieving students from around the state participate in a summer research internship in university and industrial labs. These internships give the students the chance to do real-life, hands-on research while paired with mentor scientists.

Through this partnership, the students expect not only to learn but also to play a role in creating new knowledge through research. The state’s vision of leadership in the future knowledge economy depends on developing this research talent in its young people. The Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is playing an important role to develop this talent.

Copyright South Carolina Business Journal 2006