Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Summer Program for Research Interns

Wish list item name: Sponsorship of student interns in the Summer Program for Research Interns Project Description: The Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI) is a unique and life-changing learning opportunity for South Carolina students who choose to attend the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) in Hartsville, as well as for other S.C. high school students who apply to the program as SPRI Scholars. This one-of-a-kind program places rising seniors in real university or corporate research-and-development labs. Students work side by side with professional scientists, gaining insights into emerging fields of science and taking their first steps toward careers in these important fields. Students receive room and board at their assigned internship locations.

Why this connection makes a difference:
The goal of SPRI is to engage South Carolina’s academically talented high school seniors in real scientific research that may catapult them into careers in emerging fields of science such as biomedical research, nanotechnology or alternate fuels engineering. The scientists who mentor these students report that they do work on a level with university graduate students. Many students publish the results of their research in national science journals or participate in patent applications. Often, these students are invited by their mentors to continue their research projects beyond the internship period. The SPRI experience frequently opens doors for students to advanced studies and careers in scientific research. No other South Carolina school offers an early and in-depth science research opportunity like this. The program is a requirement for GSSM students—who come to learn and live at GSSM for their junior and senior years of high school—and annually serves about 10 to 20 students who apply from other high schools across South Carolina as SPRI Scholars. All expenses for student participation in SPRI are covered by gifts to the GSSM Foundation from individual, corporate and foundation supporters. These expenses include housing, meals, tuition fees for students conducting research in university settings (and earning college credit), mentor stipends and supplies, and residence hall counselors.

Cost: $3,000

Organization Details

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Foundation

Year Founded: 1988

Counties Served: All 46 South Carolina counties

Primary Contact:
Kim Bowman
kim@scgssm.org
803-252-9152


, SC