Business Education Summit Focuses on STEM

Does your business require science, technology, engineering or math? The Education Foundation presents its 15th annual Business Education Summit with special keynote speaker Susan Lavrakas, director, Government Affairs with BAE Systems, a global aerospace company.

Learn about effective strategies for world-class STEM education in our public high schools and be a part of shaping the future workforce. There will also be a panel of experts to ensure we build partnerships in STEM education

The Business Education Summit has a fourteen-year track record of convening educators and leaders from the business community to engage in active dialogue about significant issues regarding the preparation of today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. This annual event attracts hundreds of business, community and education leaders and is an ideal venue for meeting new colleagues and partners.

The Summit will be held Wednesday, October 27, 7:30 - 11 a.m. at Trident Technical College. The cost is $85, $50 for educators and includes a full breakfast. To register click here.  For more information contact Jess Wickersham at 843.805.3080.

Susan Lavrakas to Keynote Summit
Susan Lavrakas is Director, Government Affairs, with BAE Systems, a global aerospace company. She has enjoyed a professional career of more than thirty-seven years in national security affairs. She started her career at the Central Intelligence Agency and later  and conducted research at the RAND Corporation where she worked for nearly two decades. She has been with BAE Systems, Inc., since March 2003 and has become a national expert on creating community coalitions to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education.

Lavrakas is Chair of the Industrial Base and Workforce Committee of the Aerospace Industries Association. She is also Vice President for Legislative Liaison of the Workforce Division of the National Defense Industrial Association.

What is STEM Education?
STEM education refers to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. More and more schools are developing programs that focus on the integration of these disciplines, which have historically been compartmentalized as having limited relationship to one another. The engineering component emphasizes critical thinking and process analysis involved in science and math education. Students learn the value of the steps taken to reach a solution, rather than concentrating on solely on the solution. Technology is the piece of the equation that allows for deeper exploration and understanding of the other three components, allowing students to apply what they learn using computers and specialized machinery in a practical manner to enhance their overall education.

Why is STEM Education Important?
The growing popularity of STEM education is largely due to the rapid growth of STEM-related industries globally in recent years. Because STEM industries are expanding worldwide, it is crucial to educate students in these fields to provide companies with a competitive workforce. The skill-sets necessary for even entry-level jobs in these companies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it is necessary for students to start learning these skills while they are in school. There are multiple exit points for students in STEM-related fields, so whether a student wants to continue their studies through higher education at a 4-year or 2-year college or enter the workforce directly after graduating high school, there are opportunities for them to pursue their goals and interests in STEM. In addition, STEM education increases employability for students and reduces training time and cost for employers.

Chamber and Trident Association of Realtors with Area Mayors Announce Yes4Schools

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, together with the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors and three area mayors, City of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, City of North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey and Mount Pleasant Mayor Billy Swails, announced support for the one penny sales tax referendum by launching the Yes4Schools campaign.

The referendum, which is up for public vote on November 2, would fund the rebuilding of four seismically hazardous schools in downtown Charleston and also alleviate overcrowding, improve classrooms and upgrade technology in 13 additional schools throughout the district.

The announcement of the dedicated sales tax support campaign, Yes4Schools, was accompanied by the launch of Yes4Schools.com, as well as www.Facebook.com/Yes4Schools and www.Twitter.com/Yes4Schools pages.

“The priorities for Charleston County School District include growth, safety and programmatic needs,” said Ron Jones, co-chair of Yes4Schools and attorney at Clawson & Staubes, LLC. “Without the passage of the sales tax, only safety – through the rebuilding of the four downtown schools – will be addressed, and in a limited capacity. Voting ‘Yes’ for the sales tax is voting ‘Yes’ for improvements to schools throughout Charleston County while creating much needed jobs and boosting the local economy.”

If passed, the six-year sales tax would create an estimated 1,000 jobs per year. Nearly a half billion dollars also will be added to the Charleston County economy as a result. Without the passage of the sales tax, the Charleston County School Board will have to levy a property tax for eight years, which will only raise enough funds to rebuild the four schools downtown.

Rob Woodul, Charleston Trident Association of Realtors president-elect, said, “With a sales tax, everyone who lives in or visits the community helps to invest in projects that support our students' learning, rather than placing the burden solely on property owners. The cost is shared.”

Additionally, household necessities like groceries and prescription drugs are excluded from the one penny sales tax.

The sales tax referendum will be Local Question 1 on the general election ballot this November. Pending voter approval, building renovation and construction can begin as early as June 2011.

For more information on the one penny sales tax referendum, visit www.Yes4Schools.com.

Walk the Walk of a Principal for a Day

Principal for a Day (PFD) programs have a long track record of success in many school districts across the country. Inviting community leaders to shadow a principal for a day is a concept designed to help participants understand the rewards and rigors of the educational system today and also build a stronger foundation between businesses and schools.

For the seventh year, The Education Foundation is soliciting the business community to participate in PFD Thursday, December 2, 2010 where they will work with the Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester Two and Four School Districts to match them with the appropriate business person. Principals are asked not to plan a special day but rather to let their executive see what the day-to-day work of a principal involves. Various “guest principal” activities include attending assemblies and performances, reading with students, handing out awards, meeting with teachers and observing students in their classrooms.

More importantly, PFD allows leaders in schools and the business community to share ideas, resources, and a sense of responsibility for public education. By providing a first-hand perspective of the decisions and responsibilities principals face daily, participants are encouraged to become engaged in public education.

The next day there is a de-briefing breakfast where participants share their experiences. If you are interested in participating in Principal for a Day click here to fill out an application. For more information contact Jess Wickersham at 843.805.3080 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text82637 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to fill out an application. The deadline is November 19.

Workplace InStitute for Educators (WISE) Begins New Year

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce hosted the first session of the Workplace InStitute for Educators (WISE) Class of 2010-11 in September which set the stage for the year by providing the participants with course expectations and vital resources for incorporating career development into their work with students. The 31 teachers and counselors in the class received an overview about the initiatives of the Chamber and The Education Foundation. Patricia Ferguson, Trident Regional Education Center coordinator, presented S.C. Personal Pathways to Success and reported the results of the 2008 Trident Workforce Skills survey about those occupations most difficult to fill in the Trident region and the obstacles that businesses face trying to find employees with adequate work skills.

The WISE Orientation Retreat took place later in the week hosted by BP America Cooper River Plant. Carl Mittelstadt, Innovation Director, provided a facility tour for the educators to learn first-hand from employees about production, job requirements and scholarships provided by the organization. Brian Wilson with Adventure Teamworks facilitated outdoor activities that allowed the educators to experience self-awareness, resourcefulness and the benefits of working as part of a team.

The class will meet one day per month during the school year to visit and learn about the major employment sectors in the region, job opportunities and workplace requirements. They will design and implement new teaching strategies after each session so that their students and fellow educators benefit from what they are learning in the course. Click here for the class list.

WISE Sponsors 2010-11

Title Sponsor:


Graduation Premier Sponsor:
Trident Health System
Patron Sponsors:
Adventure Teamworks
AT&T
South Carolina Aquarium
Trident Technical College
Educator Sponsors:
Don Balderson
Bridget Hearn Simmons
Charleston Cookie Company
GEL Group
Joan Ustin & Associates
Laura Alberts Tasteful Options
Mary T. Joseph State Farm Insurance
Maverick Southern Kitchens
Maybank Properties, LLC
Rick Hendrick Imports

Lowcountry Teachers Can Apply for Mini-Grants

The Charleston County-area S.C. Project Impact Initiative is offering a mini-grant program to Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester County elementary and middle schools.

Grants will be given to schools that develop programs using art, music, theater or hands-on activities to educate students about the types of hazardous events that could impact the Lowcountry, and ways to minimize losses associated with these types of events.
Funding is also available for projects that educate students about environmental awareness and protection. The funding may be used for supplies or materials needed for these projects.

A total of $2,000 is available for local schools, and up to $500 will be distributed to the selected applicants.
The mini-grant program is funded by Project Impact, an ongoing initiative originally sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist local communities in becoming more disaster resistant.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 3 and award notification will occur by Jan. 5. Applications can be downloaded.

Spread the News

If you know about a business/education related story or event we want to hear about it. Send story ideas or upcoming events that may be printed in the next EdBiz Link. Please send submissions to Jess Wickersham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text82019 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

P-20 Council - October 7, 3:30 p.m.
Board of Directors - October 8, 8 a.m.
ROI Committee - October 20, 12 p.m.
Master Plan Task Force - October 26, 8 a.m.