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Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Launches Statewide PR Campaign at the 19th Annual Townes Award Dinner
COLUMBIA, SC - March 9, 2011 - The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) launched The Wave, a statewide movement designed to spark a mini education revolution, at the 19th Annual Townes Award Dinner on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at the Columbia Marriott.
The Wave is a grassroots PR campaign designed to build awareness, energy and momentum around the study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the Palmetto State.
The icon for the campaign is a flag that can wave proudly at businesses, schools and even on your Facebook page. It will brand STEM in South Carolina.
"Education and economic prosperity go hand in hand and we are excited about working with government and education leaders as we roll out our Do The Wave campaign and begin to help develop a strategy to take South Carolina to the next level," said Kim Bowman, CEO of the GSSM Foundation and executive vice president of strategic direction for GSSM. "The flag represents the future of science and math education in our state. It is a reminder that while we may have some work to do, there is nothing we can't accomplish together."
A component of The Wave is www.dothewavesc.com, where people can go to learn about the movement, see who's doing The Wave, download their very own flag and stay informed about upcoming programs, progress and long-term strategies for STEM education in South Carolina.
"We want people to get creative - add the flag to your email signature, your blog, your website and your Facebook page. The harder we wave, the more momentum we'll build and the farther we'll be able to take South Carolina," added Bowman.
Other highlights of the evening included the presentation of the 19th Townes Award to Senator Hugh Leatherman and the keynote address given by Gary Parsons, S.C. native and founder of XM Satellite Radio.
(MidlandsBiz had the honor of sitting down with Gary Parsons the day before Awards Dinner.)
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a two-year, public, residential high school in Hartsville, S.C., specializing in the advanced study of science and mathematics. GSSM serves 128 high school juniors and seniors a year with a concentrated study of science and math, alongside rigorous courses in the humanities, to prepare graduates to excel as leaders in the state's 21st-century economy. In addition, GSSM reaches nearly 24,000 students and teachers across the state through several educational outreach programs. Newsweek and The Washington Post have ranked GSSM among the Top 20 "public elite" high schools in the country.
For more information on the South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics, contact Lindsay Burke Szeszycki at 803.252.9152 or lindsay@scgssm.org.
