On The Move
Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Receives Funding from Verizon to Expand iTEAMS Summer Camp
Jun 7, 2012
Verizon Foundation's $10,000 Grant Will Support Mobile App Development Project
HARTSVILLE, SC - June 7, 2012 - The Verizon Foundation awarded the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and
Mathematics (GSSM) $10,000 to support the School's summer camp
experience, Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Among Middle
Schoolers (iTEAMS). Serving rising 8th and 9th graders in select S.C.
counties, iTEAMS offers middle and high school students unmatched
opportunities for fun and interactive technology-based learning.
The camp features a team project that allows students to design apps for
mobile devices. Other camp components include creating video games and
learning the ins and outs of cyber security. Along with its support of
iTEAMS, the Verizon Foundation also offers GSSM resources through
Thinkfinity.org, an award-winning educational website offering free,
engaging resources for teachers and students.
"We are grateful to the Verizon Foundation," said Dr. Murray Brockman,
GSSM President. "This grant allows us to expand our iTEAMS program,
provide more opportunities for young students to explore interests in
STEM subjects, and offer enriching learning experiences featuring mobile
technology."
GSSM is a public, residential high school for academically motivated
11th and 12th graders from across South Carolina. The School launched
iTEAMS in June 2009 in an effort to extend its reach to more Palmetto
State students, exposing them to novel opportunities. iTEAMS teaches
students skills in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship through a
hands-on, team-based curriculum. The four-day camp includes a mentor
program and provides students with career exploration opportunities
through comprehensive technology discussions.
"We're proud to support this program as it builds long-term value for
our community," said, Jerry Fountain, regional president of Verizon
Wireless. "Mobile technology is especially engaging to students. If
used consistently, it can increase student success and interest in STEM
subjects."
Many studies have shown that minorities, women and low-income students
are underrepresented in the scientific and technical disciplines - a
STEM gap. Over the past 10 years, STEM jobs grew three times faster
than non-STEM jobs. To read more about Verizon's work and interest in
STEM education, click here or visit http://bit.ly/HnTWaz.
About iTEAMS
iTEAMS campers attend free of charge and can choose from three fun and
challenging courses during their time at iTEAMS: Creating Video Games,
Creating Mobile Apps and Creating Cyber Security. Participants are led
by well-qualified math and technology instructors from South Carolina
schools, and are selected based on personal essays, teacher
recommendations and interest in computer science, technology and
entrepreneurship. Learn more and access the online application at www.scgssm.org/iteams.
For more information on the South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics, please visit www.scgssm.org.
