1991
National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding
Beginning in 1991, the National Science Foundation (NSF) began funding Statewide Systemic Initiatives (SSIs), encouraging states to seek statewide changes in education policy, resource distribution, and pedagogy, including “hands-on” and “inquiry-based” education in mathematics and science.
1991
1993
Math & Science Hubs are Formed
In 1993, South Carolina was awarded one such 5-year SSI grant, forming 13 Mathematics & Science Hubs. The Hubs were missioned to increase access to and equity in professional learning and support for mathematics and science educators.
1993
1998
Hubs Awarded Second Grant
A second 5-year NSF grant, with a greater focus on assisting schools in need based on student achievement scores, known as priority schools, was awarded in 1998, thus keeping the Hubs operating until 2002.
1998
1998
SC LASER is Formed
During this same period, a separate 5-year grant established the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (SC LASER), a regional site of the National Science Resources Center's LASER initiative. SC LASER organized Strategic Planning Institutes (SPI) to bring inquiry-based, hands-on science learning to SC elementary and middle schools. Hub staff served as “faculty” for the SPI’s and provided professional learning support to schools implementing kit-based science programs.
SC LASER brought together BMW, Dupont, Michelin and Progress Energy to impact K-8 science education across the state. With the assistance of the SC Department of Education and the National Science Resources Center, SC LASER developed and implemented Strategic Planning Institutes directly impacting school districts and Institutions of Higher Education from South Carolina and 11 other states.
1998
2003
Funding from the SC Department of Education Received
2003 marked the end of funding from the NSF SSI grants. All funding support and direction shifted to the SC Department of Education’s Mathematics & Science Unit. Along with changing the name from Hubs to Regional Centers, the 13 geographic regions that defined the 13 Hubs were redrawn into 8 geographic regions. These Regional Centers were part of the Mathematics and Science Unit. During that time, instructional coaching was a primary focus of the Regional Centers’ scope of work.
2003
2004
South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science is Formed
In 2004, after the consideration of many alternatives and acronyms, the partnership between the now Regional Centers and SC LASER began to operate under the name of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science.
2004
2005
STEM Summit Informs Thinking
As we refined our vision and set our mission, we also began preparing for our first statewide STEM Summit in April of 2005. With the help of the National Alliance of State Science & Mathematics Coalitions, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Department of Education we began a dialog that continues to inform our state’s thinking and action in STEM Education.
Our Board of Advisors, as an indicator that we are purposeful about our work, adopted our tag line, “Achievement By Design”. We also like it because of its simplicity of form...three words that say a lot about our intentions.
2005
2009
Regional Centers become S²MART Centers
From 2009-2011, the SC Department of Education continued to fund a statewide systemic initiative. During this time, another name change occurred, and service providers from Language Arts joined service providers for Science and Math into what was known as S²MART Centers. Together, this group was tasked with supporting educators in all subject areas - Science, Social Studies, Math, Art, Reading, and Technology
2009
2011
S²MART Centers becomes S²TEM Centers SC
In 2011, the SC Department of Education ended its funding and guidance relationship with the S²MART Centers. With fund support from Boeing SC and the Education Oversight Committee (EOC), S²TEM Centers SC was formed with a renewed focus on providing solutions for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in K-12 classrooms across South Carolina and continues to operate as such with diversified funding sources. South Carolina’s statewide network of regional centers, a direct descendant of the original
Hubs, is the only known entity formed by an SSI grant that remains in continuous operation.
2011
2012
Upstate STEM Collaborative is Formed
In 2012, industry leaders identified K-12 education as a challenge to career readiness, and a task force was formed to address this challenge. That same taskforce launched the Upstate SC STEM Collaborative in November of 2013 and began work on the iMAGINE STEAM Festivals.
2012
2017
SCCMS Forms Relationship with DIG
Developed a partnership with the afterschool program, Dreams, Imagination, and Gifts Development Program (DIG) and began serving students in rural South Carolina communities.
2017
2017
SCCMS Awarded Grand for Grand Challenges
In that same year, 2017, South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics and Science (SCCMS) was awarded one of only three “Challenge Grants” issued by STEMx/Battelle. Using these funds, and with additional support from Boeing SC, Comporium and Fluor, SCCMS hosted the “Grand Challenges in SC STEM Summit” which would guide our work for the next 5 years.
2017
2018
South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) & the S²TEM Center SC Celebrate 25 Years
As part of South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) & the S²TEM Center SC's 25-year celebration, the public was invited to gather at the State House 1st Floor Lobby for the first annual STEM Day at the Capitol celebration and advocacy day. This would grow into what is now STEM Education Month.
2018
2019
SCCMS Develops the Local Chapter of Million Women Mentors
In that same year, SCCMS developed a partnership with the national organization, Million Women Mentors, to create a South Carolina chapter, called MWM-SC.
2019
2020
The Upstate STEM Collaborative Dissolves
In 2020, the Upstate STEM Collaborative which had developed the iMAGINE STEAM Festivals, dissolved. The Festivals remained operational as a 501c3 under the Clemson University Foundation.
2020
2025
STEM Opportunity Act Introduced and Read in the House
The STEM Opportunity Act (H3863), which would codify the scope of work for SCCMS, was introduced and read in the SC House of Representatives for the first time.
2025