STEM Day at the Capitol

STEM Education Day at the Capitol

Overview

Save the date for March 25, 2026. SCCMS and its partners invite you to join us for the 9th Annual STEM Education Day at the Capitol to celebrate and promote STEM Education in South Carolina. 
 
We have a fantastic day planned! Come: 

Congratulate the SC STEM Educator of the Year winner and regional finalists.

View exhibits from service providers, business partners, and education institutions.

Meet the regional "Growing in STEM Grant” winners.

Network with other STEM education supporters

Discuss STEM education in South Carolina with legislators

Exhibitors will set up when the State House opens at 9:30 am and remain set up in the lobby until 2:00 p.m. We will take break from the fun at 11:00 am to hear from STEM partners in a brief press conference. During this time, you’ll hear from our Grant winners and STEM Educator of the Year finalists! Our 2025 winner will be announced with help from corporate sponsors.

9:30 am – 11:00 am, Interactive Exhibits, State House Lobby 
11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Program/Press Conference, State House Lobby 
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Networking and Conversations, State House Lobby

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Get Involved

Plan Your Visit

Driving Directions:

From Greenville SC: Follow I-385 S approximately 42.0 miles as it becomes I-26 E. Continue on I-26 E for approximately 55.9 miles. Take I-126 E toward Columbia for 3.3 miles. Merge onto HUGER ST and continue for 1.0 mile. Turn LEFT onto GERVAIS ST and continue for 0.5 miles to ASSEMBLY and GERVAIS STREETS. Continue on Gervais Street to Main Street. The State House is located at the intersection of Gervais and Main Streets.

From Charleston, SC: Follow I-26 W approximately 104.6 miles. Merge onto US-176 W via EXIT 115 toward CAYCE / COLUMBIA and continue for 6.0 miles. Turn LEFT onto HUGER ST and continue for 0.5 miles. Turn RIGHT onto GERVAIS ST and continue for 0.5 miles to ASSEMBLY and GERVAIS STREETS. Continue on Gervais Street to Main Street. The State House is located at the intersection of Gervais and Main Streets.

Parking and Arrival:

The State House is located at 1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29208. Parking is permitted in metered spaces along Sumter Street, Assembly Street, Senate Street, and Pendleton Street. Parking is also available at the garage on Lady Street (1100 Lady St.), all a short walk away from the State House grounds. City parking rates apply. 

Meet in the 1st floor lobby of the State House at 9:00 am. Enter the State House via the public entrance which faces Sumter Street and go through security. Note: The State House building opens to the public at 9:00 am; you will not be able to enter before that time.

Meals and Dining:

Motor Supply Co. Bistro.
Providing locals and travelers with a selection of farm-fresh salads, sandwiches, and hot entrees.
Address: 920 Gervais St., Columbia

Hampton Street Vineyard
A small French-inspired restaurant and a long-time favorite in downtown Columbia. The menu includes traditional French dishes and other European fare French inspired.
Address: 1207 Hampton St. Columbia

Railroad BBQ
A local neighborhood restaurant that celebrates great Southern Food.
Address: 2001 Hampton St, Columbia

Cantina 76
Cantina 76’s menu includes a wide range of tacos, nachos and other traditional Mexican entrees.
Address: 1301 Main St, Columbia

Sound Bites Eatery
Offering hot and cold sandwiches & salads. They have a number of vegetarian and vegan options.
Address: 1425 Sumter St. Columbia

Lizard's Thicket
This restaurant will give you “home-cooked meal” vibes with all the country sides and fixin’s.
Address: 818 Elmwood Ave, Columbia

Find plenty of additional dining options within a short drive or walk from the State House: discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/dining-out-in-columbia

Invite your Legislator to STEM Day

Your voice has a great impact on your legislators. They're more likely to attend an event if asked by a constituent. Here's how you can invite them:

Find out who represents you.
Send an email or written letter to ask them to visit STEM Day at the Capitol

Short on time or not sure what to write? No worries. Simply start with our sample email and customize it to fit your message.

Download the Sample Letters

Advocate for STEM Education

Raise your voice and shoot a quick email to your legislators, encouraging them to continue supporting STEM education during this legislative session!

Here are some items you might consider asking your legislator to support:

The STEM Teacher Fellows program aimed at retention of mid-career teachers proposed by South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science and approved by the Education Oversight Committee.
Tax credits for business/industry that employ STEM educators from any grade level as interns.
The creation of a professional development fund targeted to assist STEM teachers, with special emphasis on middle and high school mathematics teachers, in developing interdisciplinary, project-based instruction and assignments that engage students in applying science, computational thinking, engineering and mathematics skills to solve problems.

Personal stories can be impactful! When you reach out to your legislator, consider telling a story about how STEM education and workforce has personally affected you and your community. You could share stories relating to:

Importance of STEM Education.

Early STEM exposure through after-school and out-of-school programs
Creativity and innovative problem-solving from internships and formal education
Competitive pay and robust skills training in trade jobs

Challenges to building a strong STEM workforce.

Lack of STEM opportunity in some rural and low-income communities
Skills gaps from recent high-school graduates
Expanding South Carolina's homegrown workforce

Solutions to fostering STEM skills.

Consistent, broad awareness about the importance of STEM
Education and industry connection and communication
Teacher resources and support in classrooms and afterschool

Share how STEM is impacting the state's economy and success! Here are some quick facts relating to South Carolina's STEM economy and growth.

Math as a critical driver of jobs in South Carolina. The top two industries in value in 2021 were Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. (Source: South Carolina Economic Analysis Report)

Hundreds of advanced manufacturing companies call SC home. 65+ existing manufacturers announced expansions in 2022 and 2023 combined. (Source: Industries | South Carolina Department of Commerce)

A STEM bachelor’s degree can provide an entry point to higher paying jobs. The median wage for workers with a bachelor’s degree and working in STEM occupations is 75,000, compared to 55,000 in non-STEM occupations. (Source: 2024 Science and Engineering Indicators )
The forestry industry in South Carolina supports high quality, high wage jobs. For every 10 jobs created directly by businesses in the forestry sector, another 11 jobs, on average, are created elsewhere in South Carolina. (Source: South Carolina Forestry Commission)

South Carolina life science careers — biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical technologies, medical devices, food processing — are booming. An average wage of $87,369 – 79% higher than the average wage in SC. (Source: SCbio Industry Snapshot )
South Carolina is a global hub for innovation. 254% growth in the number of tech firms in South Carolina since 2000. (Source: https://www.sccompetes.org/clusters-initiative/cluster/sc-tech-cybersec/)

2025 Highlights

During the 2025 STEM Day at the Capitol, we recognized the amazing accomplishments of these individuals:

SC STEM Educator of the Year Winner: Angelique Piotrowsky
SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists: Crystal Blanton, Michelle Spigner, Katelyn Tobrocke, and Angela Fletcher
Regional "Growing in STEM" Grant Awardees: Brittany Clark/Melissa Stovall, Tracy Elmore/Crystal Blanton, April Tompkinson, Meredith Cravin, and Deborah Smith
Learning Blade Drone Winner: Kelley Sprinkles

2024 Highlights

During the 2024 STEM Day at the Capitol, we recognized the amazing accomplishments of these individuals:

SC STEM Educator of the Year Winner: Millibeth Currie
SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists: Jennifer Wilson, Crystal Blanton, Debbie Bond, and Raymond Anacaya
Regional "Growing in STEM" Grant Awardees: Robert Sheffield, April Tomkinson, Jason Elliott, Rachana Bhonsle
Learning Blade Robot Winner: Danny Dawson

2023 Highlights

Thanks to all that joined us on April 12th. Congratulations to:

SC STEM Educator of the Year Winner: Brenda Bouldin
SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists: Kayla Short, Dr. Marsha Neal, Tim Swick, and Heather Mauldin

Regional "Growing in STEM" Grant Awardees: Cowpens Elementary, McCormick Elementary, HB Rhame Elementary, Johnakin Middle, and Philip Simmons Middle

2022 Highlights

Thanks to all that joined us on March 17th for our program. Congratulations to:

SC STEM Educator of the Year Winner: Kirstin Bullington
SC STEM Educator of the Year Finalists: Annie Johnson, Ashley Blackwelder, Dr. Nicole Yemothy, and Dr. Marsha Neal.
Regional "Growing in STEM" Grant Awardees: Green Charter School of the Midlands, Wright Middle School, Loris Middle School, Brown's Ferry Elementary, and Lady's Island Middle School
MWM-SC Student Leads: Evelyn Plakal, Kyra Burton, Kendis Green, and Kensley Green

2021 Highlights