SC Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation Awarded $50,000 Grant to Expand Statewide STEM Programs for Third Consecutive Year
HARTSVILLE, SC — September 8, 2026 — The SC Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Foundation (GSSMF) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC), through its philanthropic arm, Power:Ed. This marks the third consecutive year SCSLC and Power:Ed have partnered with the GSSM Foundation to expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities for students across South Carolina.
The funding provides $25,000 to support GSSM’s GoSciTech Summer Camps and $25,000 for academic-year STEM Days. Together, these initiatives deliver hands-on, inquiry-based STEM experiences to middle and high school students, with a dedicated focus on financial-need scholarships and reaching rural and underrepresented communities.
“The continued partnership between GSSM and Power:Ed is truly transformative for students across our state,” said Danny Dorsel, president of GSSM. “Thanks to SC Student Loan’s sustained support, GSSM’s year-round outreach programs offer thousands of South Carolina students world-class, experiential learning. With more than 10,000 students and teachers benefiting annually, this renewed investment allows us to deepen our impact and inspire the next generation of innovators.”
GoSciTech Summer Camps offer rising 6th through 10th graders immersive experiences across diverse STEM fields, ranging from robotics, environmental engineering and biology to astrophysics and game design. Camps are delivered through day programs across all 16 South Carolina technical college campuses, a residential camp on GSSM’s Hartsville campus, and interactive virtual offerings.
GSSM’s academic-year STEM Days bring dynamic curriculum directly into elementary and middle school classrooms statewide as well as on the Hartsville campus. Led by GSSM curriculum specialists, these interactive sessions engage young learners in real-world projects covering engineering, chemistry, electronics, and physics.
“SC Student Loan Corporation and Power:Ed are proud to support GSSM for a third year in its efforts to inspire middle and high school students in rural and underserved communities to explore STEM skills, fields, college & career pathways, and connect with their local technical colleges,” said Claire Gibbons, Power:Ed Executive Director. “These year-round and summer programs promote career discovery and exploration and reveal pathways many students may not have known were possible.”
In FY2026-27 Power:Ed will award $1,425,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In this first quarter, Power:Ed has awarded nine grants (including this GSSMF grant) totaling $527,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is October 1, 2026.
About GSSM
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) is a nationally ranked top 10 public high school that exists to bring world-class STEM education to students across the state. Founded in 1988 by Gov. Carroll Campbell, GSSM is a state resource that offers a variety of programs including an intensive two-year residential high school, a challenging virtual engineering program, summer camps, and in-school experiences for students in 3rd through 12th grades. At GSSM, challenge is viewed as a gateway to opportunity. Learn more about how we help students realize their full potential by visiting www.scgssm.org
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Organizations serving middle school through post-college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed should visit power-ed.org