GSSM 2023-24 Viewbook

For the Driven.

The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics is South Carolina’s nationally recognized high school, providing rigorous and immersive STEM education for the state’s most talented and motivated students. At GSSM, you can be a scholar, a poet, an athlete, an engineer, a historian, or an economist or follow a path that is uniquely yours.

ARE YOU READY?

@SCGSSM @SCGSSM @SC_GSSM

BY THE NUMBERS

all Outreach programs in 2020-21, including summer 2021

#1

GSSM’s rank among High Schools in South Carolina

Niche.com

Athletic teams

88% 92%

Outreach students are more likely to take challenging STEM courses

Outreach students are more prepared to take rigorous STEM courses

90%

Outreach students are better prepared to solve problems

100%

Faculty that have advanced degrees

40

Research partner sites

WELCOME TO THE NEST

Established in 1988 under the leadership of Governor Carroll Campbell and Charles W. Coker (then-president of Sonoco Products Company), the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) has fostered students for 32 years at the forefront of change. GSSM seeks out and advances our state’s most talented students to offer a transformative education in science, mathematics, and engineering. Our campus features a state-of-the-art building, capable of housing 288 students and includes the James Lucas Academic Center, featuring more than 18 classroom and laboratory facilities; and the Gerald Malloy Activity Center, which includes a gym, weight room, engineering projects center, fully-equipped kitchen, game room, and space for students to relax.

Located in Hartsville, South Carolina, a charming small town with a big heart, GSSM offers students a home away from home. Govies form tight bonds and build lasting memories, whether grabbing a coffee at Crema or a quick bite at The Rooster One Thirty Six, a favorite local restaurant.

GERALD MALLOY ACTIVITY CENTER

Gym

Workout Facility

Robotics Lab

Athletic Training Room

Student Activity Center

Classrooms

Computer Lab

Engineering Lab

Science Labs

JAMES H. LUCA S

ACADEMIC CENTER

THE DENNY W. NEILSO N HALL

THE JAMES D. DANIELS HALL

MAKE GSSM YOURS RESIDENTIAL

GSSM is South Carolina’s nationally recognized high school, providing a rigorous and immersive STEM education for the state’s most talented and motivated students. Our two-year Residential program provides South Carolina junior and senior students with new challenges, lasting friendships, and endless opportunities. Once you visit our campus, you’ll find out what makes GSSM an experience like no other. Ready to take your education to the next level and grow exponentially?

Application opens in the fall. Your future is waiting at scgssm.org!

OUTREACH

Delivering STEM Learning Experiences! GSSM takes South Carolina students to higher levels of learning by engaging students in challenging school year and summer academic experiences that are interactive and fun.

Summer camp applications open in mid-February. After-school program applications open early fall and spring.

Transforming learning from ordinary to extraordinary. Learn more at scgssm.org.

VIRTUAL

GSSM has its virtual program, Accelerate.

The Accelerate program provides South Carolina students an outstanding opportunity to complete all of the coursework in an undergraduate, general engineering program virtually while remaining at their home schools. Visit scgssm.org to learn if Accelerate is offered at your school district.

Applications for Accelerate will open in the fall.

GUIDED BY THE BEST FACULTY

Our faculty is here to help guide you through your GSSM journey.

Our full-time faculty are experts in their fields as well as in their classroom. They’re passionate about their areas of expertise and will challenge you to think independently, critically, and beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. They’re here to support you through your GSSM journey and inspire you to learn more than you ever thought possible.

About 90% of GSSM faculty hold a doctorate in their field of expertise.

RECENT INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES

■ Web Development

■ Physical and Mental Disabilities in Literature

■ Dutch Independent Study

■ Pediatric Oncology

■ Linguistics

■ Historical and Biological Study of Disease

■ Complex Variables with Applications

■ Quantum Mechanics

■ Quantum Physics

■ Photograph 51: Integrating Theatre and the History of Biology

“Like many of our faculty, I never thought I would end up teaching at a high school. But I’ve found this specialized residential teaching experience so unbelievably satisfying that I count myself fortunate to work at GSSM. The students are the motivation, as they are hard-working and high-achieving young people who are enthusiastic and passionate about their learning. It is wonderful to see the students grow, realize their passion and potential, and then go on to even greater success in college and their lives.”

DR. MARK GODWIN Physics Instructor

“At GSSM, I have the privilege of teaching college level material to incredibly bright high school students who truly want to learn. GSSM is a unique school where all students are eager to learn, even if the material in a particular class is not their passion. My favorite part of teaching at GSSM is starting with a student who does not like math (mostly due to their previous experiences) and ending the year with a student who truly likes math or, at the very least, understands its importance and no longer fears it.”

MRS. JENNY SALAZAR Mathematics Instructor

COURSES OFFERED

BIOLOGY

Marine Biology

Research in Restoration Ecology

AP Courses:

AP Biology

Above AP Courses:

Advanced Genetics

Biological Evolution

Botany

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Introduction to Microbiology

Molecular Biology

Neuroscience

CHEMISTRY

Introduction to Chemistry

Molecular Spectroscopy

Research in Microwave Spectroscopy

Research in Computational Drug Design

AP Courses:

AP Chemistry

Above AP Courses:

Analytical Chemistry

Computational Chemistry

Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

Dual Credit Courses:

Chemistry I & II

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Artificial Intelligence

Computer Networking

Data Structures and Algorithms

Database Design

Game Design, Prototyping, and Production

Visual Programming

AP Courses:

AP Computer Science

AP Computer Programming

Dual Credit Courses:

Python for Scientist

C++ Applications

ENGINEERING

Applications of Engineering Design

Biomedical Engineering

Electronics

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Multimodal Transportation Systems

Product Design

Robotics

Statics

Dual Credit Courses:

Computer Programming

Engineering Disciplines and Skills

Engineering Design and Modeling

ENGLISH

Dual Credit Courses:

English Composition and Rhetoric I & II

Senior English:

The Major Forms of Literature

Creative Writing

Electives:

African American Literature

Eco-Fiction

Gender Studies

Introduction to Film

Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Science Fiction

Research in Multimodal Transportation Systems

Shakespeare

Studies in Creative Writing: Fiction

Studies in Creative Writing: Nonfiction

Studies in Dramatic Literature

Writing in STEM

FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND SIGN LANGUAGE

American Sign Language I & II

French I, II, III, IV

Spanish II, III, IV

Honors Courses:

Honors German II & III

AP Courses:

AP French

AP Spanish

Above AP Courses:

Advanced Spanish Studies

Hispanic Culture and Linguistics

Dual Credit Courses:

Chinese I, II, III, IV

GENERAL SCIENCE

Astronomy

Physics in the Arts

Your Cosmic Context

AP Courses:

Environmental Science

GOVERNMENT, ECONOMICS, AND FINANCE

International Economics

Quantitative Financial Analysis

Technology Ventures

US Government/Economics

AP Courses:

AP Comparative Government

AP US Government

Dual Credit Courses:

Macroeconomics

Microeconomics

HISTORY

The Civil War and Reconstruction

Colonial Latin America

Ethics, Beauty, and the Environment

Native American Studies

The Sizzling Sixties

AP Courses:

AP Comparative Government

AP US Government

AP US History

MATHEMATICS

Calculus with Applications

Concepts for Calculus

Foundations for Calculus

Essentials for Calculus

Prep for DE Calculus

Research in Computer Assisted Proof Writing

AP Courses:

AP Statistics

AP Applied Statistics

Above AP Courses:

Abstract Algebra

Discrete Structures

Linear Algebra

Multivariable Calculus

Number Theory

Ordinary Differential Equations

Dual Credit Courses:

Calculus I & II

MUSIC

Chamber Orchestra

Concert Choir I, II, III, IV

AP Courses:

AP Music Theory

PHYSICS

AP Courses:

Calculus-Based Physics I & II

Above AP Courses:

Fluid, Thermodynamics, and Optics

Modern Physics

Dual Credit Courses:

General Physics I & II

PSYCHOLOGY

AP Psychology

RESEARCH & INQUIRY

Advanced Research & Inquiry Communication

Mentored Summer Research & Inquiry

VISUAL ARTS

Ceramics

2D Art Exploration

AP Courses:

AP Art History

LIVE THE JOURNEY

Pack your laundry detergent, pillowcases, and toothbrush, and get ready to embark on your journey!

GSSM is a residential school, so you’ll live in a residence hall. You’ll have a roommate and suitemates, get to decorate your room, and do laundry down the hall, just like a college student.

Each residential room at GSSM comes equipped with:

■ two XL twin beds that can be bunked

■ two desks

■ two two-shelf bookcases

■ two three-drawer chests

■ two desk chairs Residencehalls

BETTER BE...GRYFFINDOR!

GSSM’s residence halls operate on a House System, meaning you’ll be sorted into Fidelitas, Fortem, Libertatem, Lux, Praesidium, or Veritas (depending on your assigned floor). The House System helps instill a sense of belonging and promotes school spirit through friendly competition.

There are regularly scheduled long weekends when you can go home, relax, and reconnect with friends and family. GET

INVOLVED!

While at GSSM you’re required to complete 50 hours of community engagement (but don’t worry, you can always do more!). You’ll help support the local community through shared responsibilities, including bus maintenance, assembly prep, and community service projects on and off campus.

START YOUR RESEARCH JOURNEY

Get your first taste of real-world research through GSSM’s top-notch research programs.

Only at GSSM do all students engage in research under the mentorship of professional researchers in universities, government institutions, and businesses across South Carolina, the USA, and the world.

You will have the option to spend the summer between your junior and senior years exploring research methods, meeting members of the global community of researchers, and challenging yourself like never before - while tackling problems that make a difference.

WANT TO TAKE YOUR RESEARCH JOURNEY FURTHER?

You will present your research at GSSM’s Annual Research Colloquium and South Carolina Junior Academy of Science statewide research competition. You may also have the opportunity to present your work at a professional conference or enter it into other competitions.

If you are interested in taking your experience further, our Director of Research & Inquiry can help you find the right path for your research journey at GSSM.

RESEARCH LOCATIONS

2021-2022 School Year

Augusta University

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Clemson University

Clemson University Duke Energy eGRID Center

Clemson University James C. Kennedy

Waterfowl & Wetlands Conservation Center

Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research

Clemson University Pee Dee Research & Education Center

Clemson University Sustainable Water Resources Laboratory

Clemson University Zucker Family Graduate Education Center

College of Charleston

CPM Federal Credit Union

Edward Via College of Medicine

Fiber Industries

Ford Motorsports

Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering

Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics

Furman University

German Cancer Research Center

Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District

German Cancer Research Center

Harvard Medical School

Integrated Systems, Inc.

Kyocera-AVX

MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute

McMillan Pazdan Smith

Medical University of South Carolina

Nephron Pharmaceuticals

Polypore International

Santee Cooper

SC DNR – Heritage Trust

SC Economics

SC GSSM

TIGHITCO

Universidad del Sinu Elias Bechara Zainum

University of South Carolina - Aiken

University of South Carolina

Virginia Tech

Winthrop University

XTREMEDX

Zverse/Revaly

“I got to work with a diverse group of people who had a lot to teach me about their area of research and I got what essentially amounts to work experience in a 9-5 job.

I also got an understanding of the research process that goes beyond what can be taught in a school class.”

RICHARD SANDVOSS

GSSM Class of 2019

EXPLORE YOUR PASSIONS WITH GSSM

Sometimes coming back from winter break can be a shock to your system!

That’s why GSSM offers January Interim, a three-week course designed to ease you back into school work and give you a chance to explore subjects you only dreamed you could study in high school. Pick a course/trip and get ready for a journey you’ll never forget. All interim courses/trips are credit carrying.

RECENT INTERIM COURSES

■ Patchwork Quilting: Stitching Together Textile Art and Geometry

■ The Cooking Lab

■ Origami: The Art of Paperfolding

■ Mental Health in Pop Culture: Movie Moments

■ Chess in the Interim

■ World Building in the Films of Studio Ghibli

■ Honeybees: The Biology, History, and Impacts of a Domesticated Super-Organism

■ Songwriting

■ Equine Science and Horsemanship

■ Computational Biology

■ Drone Building and Flight Time

■ Underwater Exploration through SCUBA Certification

■ Winter Sports in the Interim

■ Music Performance

■ Glider Piloting at the Bermuda High Soaring School

■ The Ethics of Fashion

■ Art in the Field: A Creative and Personal Exploration of Nature

■ Buddhist Perspectives

■ Engineering Projects

RECENT INTERIM TRIPS

■ Exploring Spain and Portugal

■ Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto

■ Exploring India and Nepal’s Culture, History, and Environment

■ A Smithsonian Interim

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

At GSSM, students can engage in a variety of hobbies, extra-curriculars and explore their passions with like-minded peers and faculty.

ARTS & MUSIC

Participation in the arts is also encouraged. Our Art Studio is fluid space where students with artistic prowess nurture their talents and others discover their inner artist. Our music program is also thriving with performance groups and opportunities for students to learn to play instruments for the first time.

CL UBS

Engaging in athletics, campus life programming, and community service are important parts of GSSM students’ two year residential experience. Extracurricular activities also help students develop leadership and organizational skills. GSSM has over 50 clubs and organizations, some traditional and others unique to us. Some of them include:

4-H

Art Beta Club

FBLA

French Club

Glee Club

HOSA

Key Club

Math Team Microgravity Club

Model UN

M.O.S.I.A.C.

National Honors Society

NAACP

Outing Club

Photography Robotics, Speech & Debate Student Council

Tabletop Club

Youth in Government

AT HL ETICS

The Governor’s School has a vibrant athletic program that is open to all students. We o er numerous interscholastic Varsity and Junior Varsity sports.

VARSITY

*Cross Country

Swimming

Basketball

Tennis

*Track

*Soccer

Golf

*Women’s Volleyball Co-Ed Cheerleading

*Teams that have won state champoinships in the past four years.

COMMU NITY EN GAGE MENT

JU NIOR VARSITY

Women’s Volleyball

Men’s Basketball

Don’t see your sport?

Ask us about our partnership with Hartsville High School.

Building compassion and character among our students is an important aspect of the GSSM experience. Giving back through service is one way we promote these tenets through community engagement. Students are required to complete 50 hours of community engagement in order to graduate, but most students exceed 50 hours. Our students serve the campus and the local community. Through community engagement, students are encouraged and reminded of the importance of using their abilities to support others.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

STUDENT AMBASSADORS

GSSM Student Ambassadors are a diverse group of involved students who provide a welcoming and informative first impression of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics to a diverse group of guests. Our ambassadors give prospective students and their families information about student life as a Govie through campus tours, speaking at events, and cultivating relationships to the personal guest experience. Our GSSM Ambassadors have involved students who are committed to sharing their passion for GSSM with guests.

HOUSE CAPTAINS

The residence hall at GSSM is set up on the House System. Each house is led by a House Captain. These residential leaders set an example for the others students in their House, which is their residence hall floor. They encourage and motivate fellow house members, work with Campus Life team members to implement programs, assist with the coordination of activities in the House, and encourage school spirit.

NATURAL HELPERS

Natural Helpers are an informal “helping network.” These peer leaders are the “front line” in assisting the Counseling and Campus Life staffs in meeting the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of our students. The mission of a Natural Helper is to instill a “sense of belonging” in the new students and a renewed sense among their fellow seniors. Their goal is to assist new students in adjusting to the academic and social transition from their home high school to life at GSSM and to provide assistance to any student in need.

STUDENT COUNCIL

The Student Council is the principle voice for the student body to the school’s administration, faculty, and staff on matters of school policy. In a spirit of cooperation, loyalty, and school spirit, the Student Council stresses good citizenship, works to encourage worthwhile activities within the school, and strives to improve the quality of life for everyone in the school community. Student Council strives to represent the ideas, wishes, and attitudes of the student body in a productive and reasonable manner. The school’s administration counts on the Student Council for student input on matters directly affecting the student body.

ACCELERATE YOUR JOURNEY

GSSM has had exponential growth over the past few years—so much that we have expanded our online distance learning programs to extend GSSM opportunities to students throughout the state of South Carolina. Now, many students can earn college credits toward STEM degrees at their home high schools through Accelerate.

Accelerate your journey! GSSM’s Accelerate virtual engineering program is an innovative approach to developing the next generation of exemplary engineers. Designed for motivated 10th–12th grade students to earn the first year of college engineering credits while remaining in their home high schools, Accelerate provides a virtual classroom space of innovation with a unique and creative culture.

In addition to required coursework in pre-calculus, calculus, chemistry, physics, engineering, Accelerate provides students with the opportunity to take honors engineering electives in areas such as electrical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering.

All instructors within Accelerate have master’s or doctoral degrees in their fields of study.

Depending on their grade level, Accelerate students participate several times a year in pre-engineering, chemistry, and physics labs at GSSM’s Hartsville campus.

Accelerate is generously supported by the South Carolina General Assembly and corporate partners. Although there is no cost to participate in the program, parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from Summer Learning Experiences and Saturday Labs.

VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

• Challenging, real-time classes

• Opportunity to earn up to 39 college credits

• Interactive labs on GSSM’s Hartsville campus

•Senior capstone projects

SUMMER & BEYOND

• Exploration of real-world engineering

• Summer learning experiences and research opportunities

• Opportunity to participate in international academic competitions

• Development of leadership & communication skills

• Industry intership opportunity following graduation

Partnerships

Accelerate is offered to students at GSSM's partner schools throughout South Carolina. Please check with your school or on our website to see if your school is a partner. New partnerships are created regularly.

Saturday Experiences

Accelerate's Saturday Experiences offers students opportunities to see real-world engineering processes and practices and exposes them to various engineering career possibilities. Experiences occur in various locations throughout the Carolinas.

JUMP-START YOUR JOURNEY

The Outreach Center offers a variety of school-year and summer opportunities to students across South Carolina. Visit www.scgssm.org for more information.

OUTREACH SUMMER CAMPS

A residential STEM camp held on the GSSM campus for motivated 8th-10th grade students. Students have the option of selecting a course from a variety of topics that are developed and taught by industry professionals and subjectmatter experts. They spend a week immersed in the course and the GSSM learning community.

A four-day interactive introduction to engineering for motivated 7th-9th grade that is offered throughout the state at partner school sites. Students develop a deeper understanding of what engineering is and what it means to be a professional engineer. Working in teams, the students participate in daily engineering challenges and have an opportunity to experience Engineering in Action while visiting a local company.

A four-day deep dive into technology for motivated 6th8th grade students that is held throughout the state at partner school sites. The day camp is designed to increase students’ understanding of coding and technology, and demonstrate how the technology and coding can be applied to their daily lives. Each day the students are engaged in finding creative solutions to challenges and problems.

A live, online project-based learning experience for motivated 6th-10th grade students. The students are immersed in a content area of their choice during the five-day camp. The courses are developed and taught by industry professionals and subject-matter experts. The students join their instructor online each day during a morning and afternoon instructional block. Their offline time is used to complete individual projects.

OUTREACH SCHOOL YEAR OPPORTUNITIES

GSSM ELEMENTARY

Our talented Outreach instructors offer science lessons to 3rd–5th grade students and teachers in schools across South Carolina. The lessons are taught in either the GSSM Elementary STEAM Bus, which is a mobile science lab, or in classrooms provided by the school.

An after-school learning opportunity offered on the GSSM campus for 6th–8th grade students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of concepts and principles in content related to technology, coding, engineering, or a variety of other STEM fields. The sessions are interactive, hands-on, and a lot of fun.

A live and interactive online after-school program for 6th-8th grade students that is designed to ignite an interest in STEM and build connections between STEM subjects, the arts, humanities, and languages. The sessions that cover a wide range of subjects such as biology, chemistry, physic, mathematics, foreign languages, economics, and more are led by GSSM students.

A DAY OF IMAGINATION

STEM DAYS AT GSSM

Students and their teachers in grades 3rd-8th from schools across SC have the opportunity to visit GSSM and experience its learning community and the wonders of STEM by participating in customized day of lessons taught by Outreach instructors. The lessons are aligned to state and national STEM education standards.

GSSM opens its doors annually to families across South Carolina for a special day of imagination, inspiration, and innovation! Young students and their families have the opportunity to interact with the GSSM community by participating in a variety of interactive activities designed and presented by faculty, staff, and students. Families experience the uniqueness and diversity of the GSSM learning community and walk away from the festivities motivated to learn more!

JOURNEY TOGETHER

The GSSM Journey brings together students from all over the state and globe. Together we enhance our community through wide-ranging social, cultural, and religious experiences. Through these experiences comes diversity of thought, which might be one of GSSM’s greatest strengths!

Our supportive environment is designed to create a learning experience out of every aspect of life. We strive for inclusive excellence in everything we do. It’s one of our core values.

Being in our 24/7 environment helps, of course, but so does the thirst for knowledge that our students all share.

We hear it all the time: Friendships that start at GSSM last a lifetime.

WHERE YOUR PATH CAN TAKE YOU NEXT!

COLLEGE COUNSELING

Juniors commence individualized college planning with their designated college counselor in the spring via College Planning Seminar I and continues College Planning Seminar II in the fall with all of our seniors. Our college counseling staff brings significant experience in higher education admissions to work with parents and students. GSSM’s enrollment size and mission affords us a smaller student to counselor (45:1 each class) and resources and support typically found in independent schools.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Students have the same academic advisor throughout their GSSM experience. Academic advisors get to know their advisees well by reaching out to newly accepted students in the spring to introduce themselves and get the process of guiding them to make the most of their GSSM experience. Students, with the guidance of their advisors, choose courses and experiences that prepare them to excel in college, and that helps them figure out and pursue what academic areas they are passionate about.

APPLY NOW

SO YOU’RE READY TO START YOUR GSSM JOURNEY?

We welcome South Carolina’s best and brightest students—like you—to apply to one of our unique programs.

You must be a current resident of South Carolina, have completed at least 10.5 credits (including Algebra I & II, Geometry, English I & II, a social studies course, and a lab science course) prior to the end of the school year in which you apply, and demonstrate emotional and mental maturity.

You’ll need to submit an application, high school transcripts, essays, test scores, and teacher recommendations for consideration.

WHAT DOES THE GSSM EXPERIENCE COST?

GSSM is a state-supported high school; tuition and fees are paid by the state of South Carolina for students in our Residential, Accelerate, and STEM Foundations programs. Residential students pay $3,200 per academic year for the meal plan, this is subsidized by the state. Students with documented financial need qualify for a full or partial waiver of the meal plan cost. A payment plan is available.

To apply online or learn more about our Residential and Virtual programs, visit www.scgssm.org

“As I prepare to begin work on my PhD at Columbia University, having traveled a long way from home, I’m reminded that I did much the same thing six years ago, when I set out for Hartsville to begin a life-changing two years at GSSM. I had no idea what wondrous and fascinating roads GSSM would lead me down. So, my message to the Govies is this: Carpe Diem! Seize this day and find yourselves swept off to places of which you’ve scarcely dreamed.”

CARL GARRIS GSSM Class of 2013, GSSM Convocation Speaker, Fall 2017

GSSM is located in scenic Hartsville, Darlington County’s largest city, a 2016 All-American City honored by the National Civic League. Along with GSSM, Hartsville is home to Coker University and Sonoco Products Company.

FOLLOW YOUR PATH

With challenging courses, world-class faculty, and unique programs designed to push even the most accomplished students to learn more, GSSM lets you choose your path to success.

FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS

We invite you to explore your favorite subjects in-depth through a variety of unique offerings including:

■ Elective courses

■ Expanded summer and year-round research opportunities

■ International research experiences

■ Focused January interim trips and courses

■ Independent study courses

Excited to explore classes like Computational Physics and Neuroscience? GSSM Core Courses unlock your access to advanced courses that start beyond the AP level.

PLANNING YOUR CLASSES FOR NEXT SEMESTER?

See a full list of required and suggested courses you should take prior to your junior year.

www.scgssm.org/admissions