The Georgia Tech Center for Education, Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) aims to establish sustainable community partnerships that make innovative K-12 STEM education and professional development more accessible to all. One way in which CEISMC carries out this mission is through its presence at Georgia Tech Savannah.

CEISMC Savannah Campus serves as a hub of resources for K-12 teachers and students in the southeastern region of Georgia. It is currently partnered with schools in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties.

CEISMC Savannah utilizes the expertise of the Georgia Tech community to increase STEM interest and achievement for all students. It offers a variety of workshops and programs for K-12 students, including First Lego League (FLL), Full STEAM Ahead summer camps, and Elementary Science Olympiad.

In addition, CEISMC Savannah offers satellite camps for rural Georgia school districts and hosts its own version of CEISMC K.I.D.S. Club called Saturday STEMlabs, where students can interact with STEM concepts in engaging ways.

Savannah is also home to Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE). GTPE combines academic rigor with industry training to inspire workforce leaders. GTPE helps to frame the goals of CEISMC Savannah uniquely.

“Being in an environment where workforce and STEM education co-exist means that we are able to view our efforts through the lens of each student as a lifelong learner and how they might one day fit into the economic pipeline,” said Tim Cone, program director of CEISMC Savannah.

The region has already seen an impact in K-12 STEM engagement. For example, CEISMC Savannah established the first K-12 InVenture Prize Regional Competition. Before CEISMC Savannah was established, no schools in the southeastern region participated in the K-12 InVenture Prize. In 2018, CEISMC Savannah helped bring the number of participating schools in the region up to 15.

This increase is just one example of how greater access to K-12 STEM opportunities in southeastern Georgia has heightened student engagement and interest in STEM.

In addition to providing opportunities for students, CEISMC Savannah also offers professional development for STEM teachers. This includes K-12 InVenture Prize support, EarSketch training, Hummingbird Robotics training, and assistance for schools that are developing Makerspaces. CEISMC Savannah also connects teachers in the region to research and industry professional development opportunities through the GIFT program.

By providing these opportunities for professional development and K-12 STEM learning, CEISMC Savannah carries out its goal of expanding K-12 STEM education to underserved populations in the southeastern region of Georgia.

Rosemary Patrone - CEISMC Communication