STEM Foundations: GSSM’s Online Diploma Program combines the excellence of a GSSM education with the flexibility of learning from home. STEM Foundations has a high-level STEM-focused curriculum for rising juniors in the state of South Carolina. Accepted students will not pay anything for the program. Courses meet synchronously and are taught online using Zoom. STEM Foundations students make up a small cohort who take classes which are taught only for them. All classes are honors or higher and almost all classes are taught at the college level (dual enrolled or AP). Students have online access to teachers’ office hours, tutoring, and college counseling. Students admitted to this program begin in their junior year and upon successful completion receive a GSSM diploma and a state of SC diploma.
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONS
ATHLETICS
STEM Foundations classes are taught live (synchronously) via Zoom. Class sizes are smaller than 14 students so all students get individual attention. Teachers hold office hours throughout the week for students to drop in and get one-on-one help.
STEM Foundations students are able to participate in sports at their local high schools. Current students are taking advantage of this to participate in cheerleading, golf, and volleyball.
DAILY SCHEDULE Classes meet for 53 minutes three to four times per week. Students typically have 3 to 4 classes per day and classes meet anywhere between 8am and 4pm. There are breaks in the day to get away from your computer and get a start on class work. Students have an hour of QUEST daily, quiet time to start on homework, work with peers, and get help from teachers or tutors.
HANDS ON LABS AT HOME Science cannot be done without labs! STEM Foundations students are provided with lab kits to conduct science labs at home with the guidance of their teachers.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Building compassion and character among our students in an important aspect of the GSSM experience. Giving back through service is one way we promote these tenets through community engagement. While a graduation requirement, most of our students exceed the 50 hours required each school year. Our students serve their local communities. Through community engagement, students are encouraged and reminded of the importance of using their abilities to support others.
14 | SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE + MATHEMATICS
COLLEGE COUNSELING GSSM’s Office of College Counseling and Advising helps students with the college planning process starting at the beginning of their juniors year. Juniors commence individualized college planning with their designated college counselor in the spring via College Planning Seminar I; College Planning Seminar II continues in the fall with all of our seniors. Our college counseling staff brings significant experience in higher education admissions to our work with parents and students. GSSM’s enrollment size and mission affords us a smaller student to counselor ratio and resources and support typically found in independent schools.
SUMMER RESEARCH STEM Foundations students participate in GSSM’s top-notch research programs. Only at GSSM do all students engage in research under the mentorship of professional researchers. You will 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.
