ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - The Winthrop Initiative for STEM Education (WISE) Internship in May brought together nine Winthrop University and two York Technical College mathematics and science students who explored water conservation and conducted activities at area schools.
As part of the exploration of water conservation and quality in the region, the group heard from the Catawba River Keeper, visited the Fort Mill Water Treatment facility, explored Landsford Canal and discussed connections to water issues worldwide. The group took what it learned in the research phase and designed and oversaw service learning projects at two York County schools, York Middle School and South Pointe High School.
“The WISE Internship provides talented STEM students opportunities to explore research in their content area while considering educational systems from a new prospective,” said Beth Greene Costner, associate dean of the Richard W. Riley College of Education. “These experiences not only impact content development, but provide opportunities to become more aware of ways all can positively engage in support of public schools.”
The WISE program is supported by the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, Winthrop and through donations to the WISE Fund through the Winthrop Foundation.
With the STEM teacher shortage expanding, programs such as WISE are designed to provide support focused on increasing the number of STEM teachers gaining certification.
Working along with Costner on the grant leadership were faculty members Cassie Bell, Kelly Costner and Trent Kull. Also participating as internship research mentors were faculty members Nick Grossoehme, Victoria Frost, Janice Chism and Jesse Hamm.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
